Making a change in your shop front is a big decision filled with options. Shop owners have to consider everything from glass type, glass size, tint, frame, no frame, and so on.
The savvy shop owner knows that every single detail matters. After all, that’s why you’re reading this isn’t it?
When making the decision of whether to go with framed shop fronts or frameless glass shop fronts, shop owners are usually extremely split between the two. Framed shop fronts give a shop a sort of structure and visual sense of stability, whereas frameless shop fronts provide a more modern, clean and seamless experience.
The following guide will help you to understand why thousands of shop owners opt for frameless glass storefronts, and how you can best visualise the change in your store.
Welcome to the Frameless Shop Front Aesthetic
Once you’ve got the shop front design bug, it’s hard to kick it.
You walk and drive around shopping centres and eagerly fixate on every shop front. You pay attention to every detail. The lighting. The glass type. The frame, or lack thereof.
Some other shop owners might think you’re an interested customer and welcome you in, but you confess “Err, no. Actually, I’m just looking at shop front frame”.
If you’ve found yourself in this situation, you’re not alone. There’s nothing like seeing the real thing in action, and the more research you do the better.
It doesn’t take more than a few strolls in a shopping mall or outdoor shopping centre to start noticing trends. Shops that have been recently renovated usually opt for the all glass storefront.
This shows frameless shopfronts are becoming more and more equated to modernisation.
The frameless shop front aesthetic has come into style in the past decade and a half, but it seems like it’s been around forever. The best way to describe the visual appeal of a frameless shop front is by taking a look at Apple.
Apple is known for innovating everything it touches and paying attention to even the most miniscule of details. Everything from the Macbooks and iPhones to the headphones and shopfronts is designed to give a sleek, interconnected and seamless appearance.
There are many things that shop owners can learn from Apple, but for now we’ll just focus on the appeal of the frameless shopfront. See, Apple has spent billions of dollars creating and refining one of the best user experiences in the world.
They want their products to be inviting, easy to use and simple to understand. Their shop front designs are no different.
Shoppers know a store is an Apple store before even noticing the glowing white Apple logo. Apple store shop fronts are so simple, yet utterly elegant. It almost seems as if the shop front windows don’t exist, yet visitors walk into a completely new world once they’re inside.
Apple’s branding has allowed them to markup their products as much as 500% in comparison to the competition. This reason is because everything about Apple’s product, shop fronts and brand oozes high value.
Now, keeping the Apple shop front example in mind, what can we gather from the frameless shop front window trend?
You’ll notice that the majority of jewellery, high-end clothing and new establishments use frameless shopfronts. It’s not that they are attempting to copy Apple per se, but they are trying to capture the same sort of high-value appeal generated by frameless shopfronts.
Are Frameless Shopfronts Right For Me?
You may be wondering whether or not frameless shopfronts will work for your business. Even if you aren’t selling high-end tech products and clothing, you can still utilise frameless shopfronts.
Going sans frame has become so incredibly common, that everyone from fast food stores to mobile phone service providers has started to use them.
While the aesthetics will inevitably play a huge role in your decision, it ultimately comes down to the finer points of your particular shop. Frameless shop fronts provide clean lines and structural integrity.
The glass is strong and unobtrusive, a perfect combination to protect your store while simultaneously making it look inviting.
So, take a moment to visualise what your shop would look like as if your shop front were only gigantic transparent glass windows.
- Does it look welcoming? Experienced shop-owners know that the most successful shop front designs create an almost subconscious allure that attracts visitors like a flower attracts bees. Think about it; if someone just so happens to enter your store because it looks inviting, and they end up buying something, you’ve essentially won a new customer just from your shop front appearance.
- Does it look cluttered? Alternatively, if your shop layout isn’t conducive to huge frameless shop front windows, you may want to consider changing it or looking for different types of windows. It doesn’t make sense to chip away at the seamless experience of a frameless shopfront. Sometimes frames can work to your benefit. Just know your store.
- Will passers by be inclined to try to snag a peek at your products? Even if someone doesn’t enter your store, if they make the mental connection that you carry a certain type of product, they may be inclined to visit in the future. You’d be surprised at how many sales end up happening from “Oh! I remember seeing a blender store at the mall!”.
- Is there something interesting in your shop that serves as a positive (or negative) focal point? Again, be very self-aware of your shop’s layout. Focal points can distract from your offerings and shop aesthetic.
Our Recommendations
The most common frameless shop front is a 45mm channel in the head and on the floor. The glass simply slides in and makes installation very easy. It’s aesthetic and versatile, and makes any replacement in the future a piece of cake.
There’s nothing like having an extra experienced eye on the job. Whether you decide to go with frame or no frame, be sure to consult with a professional glazier for what will work best for your shop.