Commercial Storefront Doors: What Type Do You Need?

Doors are something we hardly notice unless they're done poorly. The commercial storefront doors you choose for your business have to do a lot: protect the goods and people inside, let in light, attract visitors. So what should you choose?

Materials: Glass Is Best

You can get storefront doors made of steel, wood, aluminum, fiberglass, and more, but for most commercial buildings, glass is the best choice. There are a couple of important reasons for this.

Inviting and Handsome

A glass door invites the public to enter. It looks good, and it's easy to clean with just a simple wipe. It says you have nothing to hide and aren't afraid to put yourself out there.

Flexible and Safe

Glass doors can be easily custom-designed to match your project. Not only can they match the size and shape of the entryway you have, but they can be made to complement the overall look of the building and the windows. A good designer will have many colorways to choose from to customize the doors to your precise specifications.

Light and Airy

One of the best features of a glass door is the way it lets in light and allows those inside to get a view. Glass doors let you cut down on lighting costs inside, let in natural light that's more energizing and cheering for the people inside than artificial light, and increases worker productivity by giving them a view of the “outside world.”

Security: Get the Protection You Need

The South Florida weather can certainly deliver a beating, and every commercial building everywhere needs protection from unauthorized intruders. Consider your doors in light of these needs.

Locked and Insulated

Glass doors that come with a three-point locking system will offer strong security, and especially when formed under high pressure to give extra strength. You also want glass doors that come insulated, too, as this will keep out the strong Florida heat and the worst of the sun's UV rays.

Impact Resistant

For doors leading directly outside, impact-resistant is required in South Florida. These doors are made from specially hardened glass joined with a layer of polyvinyl butral or ethylene-vinyl acetate. These tough glass doors won't shatter because the inner membrane absorbs the impact of the hit.

You might be surprised to learn that the main way these doors protect your building in a storm is not by actually keeping out wind and rain. The biggest danger to a building is when sudden pressure puts too much strain on roofs and walls, and that happens when windows and doors suddenly blow out: which impact-resistant doors don't do.

Non-Impact Resistant But Still Safe

The high standards behind impact-resistant doors make them safe but naturally more expensive. If you have inner doors or a storefront that opens into an enclosed space instead of outside, consider simple, pre-glazed glass doors. These have all the aesthetic advantages of glass doors, still come insulated, and can be fixed with three-point locking systems, but they don't have the middle layer and are more cost-effective.

For most buildings, glass doors offer the best look, the most light, and the best protection. They can be designed to fit any space and look, and once you've got a design nailed down, they can be installed quickly.

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cgicommercial Joined: March 31st, 2020