3. Materials

The choice of materials makes a huge difference to the quality of the design of a shopfront. Best Practice is to retain historic fabric and incorporate it into new shopfronts where possible.

View more examples of the use of materials in the Materials Gallery.

Timber

Sustainably sourced, quality hardwood or heartwood from a durable softwood are attractive and less susceptible to decay. Many 18th and 19th century timbers were very durable and should be retained where they are sound. Traditional joinery is encouraged, it is more durable, produces finer finishes and encourages the retention of traditional joinery skills. Mouldings for timber elements are an opportunity for fine and architecturally appropriate detail and should be in proportion to the whole shopfront and parent building.

Masonry

Structural or decorative stone pillars are a sign of status and can sometimes be found hidden behind modern finishes. Care should be taken when removing shopfronts in case such important features remain. Specialist care is required when repairing stonework. Marble and granite cladding was popular during the inter-war period, influenced by the Art Deco Movement. Stone plinths to pilasters and stallriser give durability to an element of the shopfront that is particularly susceptible to decay.

Brick piers framing a shopfront often include specially moulded bricks that add a decorative effect. As with the stone pilasters these can be hidden by modern cladding. Revealing and repairing decorative historic brickwork can only enhance a design. Bricks can also be found in stallrisers though more commonly these are glazed bricks or slips that are both durable and easy to clean. Glazed bricks and slips are also found along walls to openings and courtyards next to shops and sometimes include patterned detail;  maintenance and cleaning is important in these areas, they can soon look neglected.

Ceramics

Ceramics include tiles of various sizes, mosaics, terrazzo and faience. Ceramics are traditionally used to add distinctiveness, decoration and colour and can significantly add to the legibility of the shopfront. Ceramics are used in stallrisers, plinths, recessed entrances and sometimes cover an entire shopfront (popular for butchers and public houses)

Metals

Iron, lead, brass, bronze, steel and chrome can all be found in shopfronts. Iron and bronze are common in Nottingham. Iron is used structurally and decoratively. During the early 20th century some higher status shopfronts used bronze as a framing material. A cheaper alternative was bronze cloaking to a timber frame. Metals are most commonly used in shopfront ironmongery. Well designed ironmongery, that wears well over time, in the appropriate architectural style greatly lifts doors and windows and kick plates protect the bottom rails of doors. Regular maintenance is advised and some burnishing is likely however this can add to the appearance. Historic metals should be retained.

Glass and Vitrolite

Coloured, frosted and etched glass add decoration and leaded lights can add interest. Mirrored glass is a clever detail used in pilasters, recessed panels, soffits and transom lights. Vitrolite is a rolled opal glass applied  in a variety in colours. Its depth of colour and reflective qualities made it ideal for use in shopfronts. It was widely used in the 1930s but is no longer manufactured and should be conserved.

Paint

Correctly applied good quality paint protects timber, adds distinctiveness and increases legibility.Decorative paint finishes were popular in the Victorian and Edwardian periods. Woodwork was usually painted; however, some high quality timbers were varnished and where these still exist they should be maintained in varnish. A carefully selected combination of colours can pick out architectural detailing.Proposed colours and textures need to relate to the palette and textures of the historic building and its surroundings. If contrasting colours are used, these should be in keeping with the colour palette. Please use the design criteria for Palette & textures.

Design Criteria

3.1 Historic materials should be retained were possible and ideally specialist advice sought for its conservation and maintenance.

3.2  Materials used are of good quality.

3.3 All materials used for the external appearance of the shopfront must be specified in accordance to British Standards.