You may not have given it much thought, but the glass in your storefront is one of your biggest assets. A clean, modern and unblemished window can make your business more attractive and inviting to customers, which can lead to increased foot traffic and ultimately more sales. A dirty or damaged window, on the other hand, can turn people off, tarnishing your reputation and costing you money in the long run. Let’s take a look at the three common causes of storefront glass damage and how you can protect the face of your business.
Environmental Conditions
Your storefront glass is exposed to the elements 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. In Dallas, this means extreme heat and some pretty substantial storms. Over time, these elements can take their toll on the appearance and condition of the glass itself, leading it to become weathered and possibly even cracked.
You can’t prevent the weather from occurring, but you can take certain measures to protect your storefront glass from potential environmental hazards over the years. For instance, keep your window area clear of anything damaging that could be blown or knocked into it, such as signs, tables or loose plant containers. If this isn’t possible, secure these items with chains or bolts and store them away in bad weather.
It’s also a wise idea to be prepared to board up your windows. After all, Texas is home to some damaging weather systems, including hurricanes and tornados. Having these materials on hand will make it easier for you to prepare and protect your storefront glass.
Age
Just like any other commercial building material, storefront windows age. Not only does aging glass look worn and shoddy, but the frame that holds that glass in can also deteriorate over the years, creating a potential hazard for yourself and your customers.
You can’t prevent this entirely, but you can slow down the aging process by maintaining your storefront glass properly. For instance, clean your glass regularly and add or replace caulking as needed. Routine cleaning will also help you and/or your staff spot small chips or cracks early, so they can be addressed before they develop into a much bigger and more expensive problem.
Accidents
Another common cause of damage to storefront glass is accidents. Whether it is kids roughhousing on the sidewalk, debris being blown around or a wayward vehicle, your storefront window is vulnerable to a whole host of potential hazards that you, unfortunately, have no control over.
The best way to protect yourself against accidental damage to your storefront glass is to invest in adequate property insurance coverage. That way, should something unexpected happen, you can get the damage taken care of right away, minimizing disruption to your business and customers.
And, of course, having a storefront glass expert at the ready is another wise idea. My Affordable Glass is available to handle all of your storefront glass replacement or repair needs. Get in touch today!