Restaurant owners have to be cognizant of presenting a clean and shiny façade to the public. Dirty, dingy and scruffed-up old windows and doors may suggest to the dining public that conditions are not quite up to standards inside the establishment.
It’s particularly important when you’re planning a renovation to your business on the inside, to also take a good, hard look at your restaurant’s exterior, including the doors and windows. Are your doors and windows reminiscent of yester year, but not in a good way? It may be time to change them.
Why So Much Glass?
Modern windows and glass doors can improve your establishment’s visibility and lighting. Sparkling, clear glass lets potential customers look inside, while diners can gaze outside during the meal. Both of these dynamics help improve the dining experience and can boost your business.
There is a reason why many restaurants—from fast food to fine dining establishments — opt for extensive glass exteriors. Glass storefronts glass windows in solid doors improve visibility and lighting.
Dingy, aged glass just won’t do the trick. With modern glass, you can also get many additional benefits, such as these:
- Noise reduction. Older glass doesn’t reduce noise, which isn’t always a problem but old windows and doors can be where noise pollution from traffic or city noises filter in. Impact windows help diminish exterior noises. Old or poorly constructed windows sometimes amplify noises to the point where patrons can’t enjoy conversing with each other.
- Climate control. Conditioned air can leak out of old windows and doors, resulting in uneven temperatures in your restaurant and a spike in energy bills. Installing doors and windows with the right Energy Star ratings for our region can help control these temperature variations.
- UV rays. Glass storefronts and windows may be the source of significant solar gain, as ultraviolet (UV) radiation filters in, creating an uncomfortably hot interior for your restaurant. UV rays also cause damage to furnishings, such as discoloration and cracking of furniture. You can prevent these problems by installing windows treated to block UV rays.
- Preventing Damage. Installing modern impact windows will help deter break-ins, vandalism and storm damage, from hailstones to wind-driven debris. Impact windows are constructed with strong-binding vinyl materials such as polyvinyl butyral (PVB) or ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA).The next time you’re considering a renovation, be sure you include an evaluation of your windows and glass doors and learn how an upgrade can improve your building.