Diagram C shows one of the most popular arrangements of store fronts. This allows for a double entrance, with a broad expanse of window between. In wide fronts these entrances are double doors, in narrower fronts a single door is sufficient. Variations of this front which has bevelled entrances, are shown in diagrams E and F. The first has the semi-circular end panes, which are recommended as especially imposing, and the latter shows a square perfectly rectangular turn for the side panes. The advantage claimed for this method is that it attracts the attention of those approaching the window more quickly than will the slant or curve, but this does not appear likely unless the front projects beyond the line of the building.
The large central pane, with double or single side entrances, is a very successful style of front, and is strongly endorsed by those who have used them.
It sometimes happens that thick pillars of masonry obstruct the front, as shown in diagram G. In this case the window panes should be set at the outer edge of the pillars, rather than against the inner edge, as much of the effect of the front would be lost by the projecting pillars. The entrance, however, should be set at the inner edges of the pillars, as indicated.
Posts are always to be avoided in window spaces, and there is seldom an occasion where they are really necessary. But where a front is rebuilt or altered and posts cannot be avoided, they should invariably be set directly back of the window frames, as shown in diagram H. When they are placed in this manner each window has a clear space back of the pane, and the decorator has an opportunity of putting one distinct trim in each window. But if the posts occupy the center, or even the sides of the window, no decorator on earth can trim the space properly or effectively.
Diagram H also illustrates the continuous front, where many windows are placed side by side. Any of the fronts previously described can be so extended indefinitely.
There are many other styles of store fronts, but most of them come under the head of “freak fronts,” and are only appropriate for the special buildings for which they were designed.
The main points to consider in building a front, are, (a) to get as large an expanse of glass as possible; (b) to use iron framework, occupying the least space where the panes join; (c) to avoid the use of posts back of the panes, but where they are necessary to place each post behind the point where two large plate-glass panes are joined together.