Glass is everywhere in our homes and workplaces. It's used for windows, walls, and counters. We employ it to display products, showcase new styles, play with light, and help direct the flow of shoppers through your space.

Glass can be thick, thin, transparent, opaque, delicate, durable, and many options in between. Retail glass is available for safety, security, partitions, and mirrors.

Different display applications need different glass.

Glass photos for blogs (4)Consider these scenarios: if a busy countertop has glass that is easily scratched, it would quickly show signs of wear. Or, a customer bumps into a glass display shelf, knocking it over, it could be dangerous.

Wouldn't it be ideal if the display was sturdy enough to withstand scratches and that bump? Material decisions are critical when you’re planning out a design-build.

Consider tempered glass in applications where your glass shelves are exposed to customers. Tempered glass breaks into small pieces vs razor-like shards.

Considerations to make when selecting glass:

  1. If your glass is nearby or within reach of customers.
  2. The manner in which a specific type of glass breaks.
  3. Desired clarity of the glass for its unique display needs.
  4. Resistance to potential heat or temperature variances.
  5. If you require any special coatings, like UV protection.
  6. Any unique security and sound reduction properties.
  7. The overall resistance to all types of surface scratches.
  8. How much you’re willing to invest in your display glass.
  9. Ensuring your landlord will approve the glass selection.

 

Not using the ideal retail glass for your showcase can have a direct impact on your bottom line.

Not all glass is delicate. See different types of glass under attack in our Breaking Glass video on this page. It will give you a live-action visual of what glass might be best for your application.

Common retail glass types:

  1. Standard plate glass (annealed) is the most cost-efficient and is highly used. However, it can break into large sharp shards.
  2. Heat-strengthened (tempered) glass is stronger than plate glass and is used for glass cookware, as well as commercial applications.
  3. Fully-tempered glass is resistant to breakage 4 times stronger than annealed glass and breaks into tiny pieces when struck from the edge. When hit straight on, it doesn't break.
  4. Laminated glass contains a layer(s) of plastic for added strength. It breaks upon impact and stays intact for safety.

All of the glass types for retail are available in low-iron and standard options. Low-iron glass is especially valued for retail as it is clearer, though more costly.

We’re a glass-half-full type of retail fixtures manufacturer.

Protecting our clients from showcase disasters is part of our job.

Custom retail glass display fixtures are manufactured to the highest standards, including custom engineering. We also offer pre-engineered glass display cases for quicker turn-around that offer the same high-quality standards.