The Top Fixtures and Fittings Used in Commercial Construction

Fixtures are items affixed to a property to become a part of it, such as doors, plug sockets, security systems, and radiators. Fittings can be removed more efficiently, including curtains/blinds, IT equipment, notice boards, and standalone appliances like fridges. These items may vary depending on whether the property is for domestic or commercial use, but the definitions remain the same.

Commercial construction is unlikely to include beds, fire surrounds, or built-in wardrobes but could feasibly have sanitary ware, roof hatches, and built-in office furniture. It isn’t limited to the building itself, with external fixtures and fittings just as important. Fencing, planting such as trees and shrubs, external CCTV, and roofing must be considered in commercial construction.

Glazing and doors

No building, whatever its purpose, is complete without windows and doors. In commercial buildings, fire doors are a must, and the heights of doors and windows need to conform to standards set by building regulations. You may also find specific security doors are used, for extra protection, along with deadbolts and high-security window locks.

Some retail units may choose to have shatterproof glass installed, to minimize the chances of vandalism or opportunist thieves. Coded entry systems and intercoms are also prevalent in commercial buildings, mainly offices.

Security systems

Sadly, in this day and age, security is one of the most important factors when it comes to commercial properties. Internal and external CCTV systems, including cameras and monitors, can be combined with burglar alarms, fire alarms, sensors, and even smart technology that will send footage to your phone or tablet and notify you of any intruders. It can even be connected to the local police reporting service to dispatch officers to the premises when the alarm sounds.

Fencing and external surrounds

If a commercial property is on an industrial estate or a large patch of land, it will likely want fencing to establish its borders. Rather than timber fencing that can rot and warp easily and will need to be replaced more often, a choice that looks smart and modern is composite fencing which is resilient and long-lasting. It comes with a 20-year warranty and is made from 95% recycled materials, making it an eco-friendly and sustainable choice.

Suppose the property is in a more rural area or set amongst landscaped grounds. In that case, planting trees and hedges on the perimeter still comes under the guise of fixtures, and the property owners will be responsible for their upkeep. They are a green solution that is in keeping with their surroundings.

Lighting and electrics

You won’t be able to get very far without some form of light fittings and an electric supply. Having enough plug sockets is even more critical in commercial construction than in domestic, with all sorts of equipment, from standard IT hardware to factory machines needing electricity.

The positioning of these sockets is vital for the smooth running of the business and will likely need lengthy planning and discussion before anything is implemented. The same is true of light fittings – in an office, for example, you want them over areas where desks or conference tables are likely to be.

For lighting it will be beneficial for a professional Electrical Contractor that specializes in Commercial Lighting Design and Installation to make sure you get the job done properly.

Washing and kitchen facilities

People working or inhabiting for several hours must have basic toilet and washing facilities. Some commercial properties may also include showers for people to use – chemical laboratories will have them for safety purposes, and other units may have them as a benefit for people who cycle to work and want to freshen up when they arrive. The number of toilets and basins required will depend on how many people use the building.

Many commercial properties will have canteens or in-built kitchens for staff to use. Restaurants and cafes will also have industrial kitchens as per the nature of their business. So, catering fixtures and fittings for commercial operations are big business, whether a fridge, a kettle, a sink, a full-blown cooking area with commercial ovens and hobs, and workspaces that can be used for preparing and producing food.

Office Supplies

Desks, chairs, and related office furniture are still in use, despite many people now working from home. Computer hardware will now likely include built-in cameras for virtual meetings, with large meeting and conference tables less likely to be as popular as they once were.

Staffed built-in reception desks are the perfect opportunity to have still a face of the company to greet visitors or deal with any queries and have a central contact point. A phone switchboard allows the receptionist to field calls and diverts them to the right person, whether in the office or working remotely.

Retail fit-outs

The most prominent fixture for any retail space is display shelving. Go into any shop, and they will show off their wares on shelves throughout the unit. There is no let-up in the requirement for shop fitters and the items and expertise they bring with them when it comes to laying out a shop to its most effective and appealing.

Tills and other banking fixtures are a mainstay of retail properties and will be a vital part of fitting out a commercial shop unit, along with suitable lighting that shows off the products to their best advantage.

Final thoughts

There is no right or wrong answer regarding what is required for commercial construction, as it depends on the purpose of the premises. But, these fixtures and fittings will likely be used in most projects around the country and still will be in years to come.

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