Commercial property owners often face many unique problems when it comes to protecting their storefronts. Many elements can damage commercial properties, including criminals, harsh weather and unexpected events like car accidents. While some of these circumstances can lead to costly building damage, in the case of criminals, you can also experience significant product losses and theft. Keeping out every unwanted element is crucial for storefront owners, and finding a reliable solution can offer a relieving peace of mind when you’re away from the property.
Whether you’re looking for a seasonal solution to protect your windows from the elements or want a year-round way to defend your space and products against unwanted visitors, we’ve got you covered. Here are the top five ways to protect your storefront windows and increase your security.
Security grilles or shutters are some of the best forms of protection for your storefront windows. These solutions offer convenience, cost-effectiveness, enhanced aesthetics and increased security for storefronts. Security shutters and grilles deter intentional criminal acts and make it much more challenging for anyone to gain unwanted access to your property.
When you choose security solutions from a reliable provider like King Door Company, Inc., you can feel confident that you’ve selected a quality product from a company with decades of industry experience. These products are long-lasting and durable, making them a worthwhile solution that allows you to save on future costs.
Additionally, you can customize your security shutters and grilles to ensure maximum security and enhanced aesthetics. You have control over design specifications, including operations and size, to tailor your security solutions to meet your unique functions. Choosing from glazed panel models and open panel options with brick or straight grille patterns in various colors allows you to meet security needs while enhancing how your property looks.
Protecting storefront glass is another option for your commercial property. Security film, or window film, is a clear film you place on the inside of your glass. This solution is often budget-friendly for many commercial property owners and offers an easy way to reinforce your windows. While window film will not prevent glass from breaking, it can hold shards in place rather than allowing them to shatter into your property. Additionally, window film may not be as noticeable as other protection tactics.
While some business owners may enjoy the clear aesthetic of window film, this solution may not be as effective at deterring criminals from attempting to break in as they may be unaware of your film usage. For the best result, consider pairing window film with security grilles to ensure the utmost protection from intentional attacks and unexpected weather events.
You can opt for a thicker laminate for the outside of your glass. This film can make it more challenging to shatter glass, offering enhanced protection. While window film may not be strong enough to keep out thieves and other criminals, it can give you peace of mind from harsh weather and natural elements.
Security systems and cameras are common for many commercial properties. You’ll often find cameras outside of storefronts or near the door and other entry points, hoping to deter people from committing theft or vandalism.
Recent innovations in these technologies and the implementation of artificial intelligence (AI) mean security systems can recognize faces and identify intruders. Many security systems can alert authorities when a break-in occurs. Some systems will alert the authorities quietly, aiming to allow the police enough time to arrive and apprehend the criminal, while other systems emit loud warnings to scare criminals off before they can do more damage. Consider speaking with nearby business owners or security experts to determine what type of system would be most beneficial for your business.
Whatever type you choose, you generally get what you pay for. Security systems can be a costly initial investment, and you must consider enhanced energy usage to keep the systems running. Furthermore, while security systems can be a worthwhile investment for deterring crime, they often cannot prevent it altogether. Ultimately, some criminals will risk that you won’t catch them despite your security, so you may want to implement additional security solutions. For instance, using security shutters alongside a security system can make it much harder for anyone to gain access to your property and increase the likelihood of catching the criminal if they do pass your security.
Another strategy for deterring criminals is using lights. Lighting improves visibility and often decreases concealment in public areas, contributing to increased safety. Enhanced lighting reduces the chances that someone can conceal their identity well from security cameras and can illuminate otherwise dark spaces that could serve as hiding spots, making it more challenging for people to evade authorities.
Recent studies have found that improving street lighting effectively reduces crime rates and makes people feel safer. This solution offers a win-win for you, as you can deter unwanted activities while providing a welcoming and safe space for guests or clients.
While you may find budget-friendly options regarding your initial investment, be sure to account for the additional energy usage when allocating your financial resources. Furthermore, you should consider backup energy sources during a power surge or outage to ensure your lights always operate when you’re away from your business.
As a last effort to deter crime, you can implement bells and buzzers. Many businesses use bells to signal when someone enters through the doors, but you can also use these solutions to alert you of after-hours activity and frighten anyone with adverse ideas in mind.
While bells and buzzers may not stop criminals from attempting entry into your property, they may be able to scare them away. As bells and buzzers sound, criminals may decide to run away without completing theft or further damage, meaning you will likely need to address entry damage but may have decreased product losses. You can also use bells and buzzers to determine whether someone is attempting to leave your property with items they haven’t paid for, providing effective security during your operating hours.
Along with alerting workers and owners of unwanted entry during on and off hours, loud noises can alert nearby shop workers, homeowners or passersby of an intrusion. By alerting your neighbors and other business owners of the event, you can increase the likelihood that someone will see the crime and can identify the criminal or provide worthwhile information to the authorities.
At King Door Company, Inc., you can find security grille and shutter solutions to protect your business. We have more than 35 years of industry experience and a team of highly trained professional technicians, so you can feel confident in your choice. We only sell high-quality materials and products and ensure each item comes with a warranty from proven manufacturers. Our team invests in innovation, constantly searching for new technologies and solutions to make you feel even more secure.
With various ways to customize your grille or shutters, you can be sure your solution will meet your needs and enhance your business. Request an estimate to learn how we can help protect your property.