Written By: Brad Campbell | December 1, 2020
In our line of business we deal with clients who have many different types of security needs — commercial clients looking to beef up their facility’s security to prevent forced entry and burglary.
We understand that there is no one-size-fits all approach to security and it can be hard to know exactly what to invest your time and money in when it comes to reinforcing your doors and windows.
That’s why we’ve put together this article to share some of our best tips on deciding how to improve your property’s safety and security when it comes to vulnerable glass doors and windows.
Safety and security window film consists of a pliable polyester Mylar coating that gets applied on the inside surfaces of your existing window glass. This film adds a protective barrier to glass doors and windows that holds broken shards of glass in place instead of letting them shatter inwards upon impact.
Window film is a very affordable way to improve glass safety and security in your home or business. Though it won’t stop a determined burglar from breaking in, it can delay and deter forced entry, causing would-be intruders to move on to find an easier target.
Window film is also an effective way to protect your property during windstorms, hurricanes, earthquakes, and other extreme weather.
A standard window can break and shatter dangerously inwards during such events, but window film holds the shards of glass intact and prevents them from flying towards anyone inside the building, reducing the chance of injury.
We recommend our Riot Glass Window Security Laminates to commercial clients looking for a basic and affordable glass security upgrade for their properties.
Many types of sliding glass doors and windows have very basic locking systems, which makes them easy to tamper with.
Fortunately, this is something that’s relatively easy to fix without having to replace the windows and doors themselves. Purchase and install additional locks, such as deadbolts and window pins, to keep your windows and doors securely closed when you’re not around.
Though better locks are a definite improvement, we always recommend that our clients reinforce the glass itself with some type of security glass product as well. This is because it’s very easy for for an intruder to smash through a weak pane of glass and unlock the door or window from the inside.
When you really want to improve the safety and security of your business in a big way, we highly recommend a laminated security glass retrofit.
Laminated security glass consists of a robust thermoplastic interlayer laminated between two sheets of heavy window glass. It looks and feels just like normal glass, but creates a formidable barrier to protect against forced entry, storm damage, and even ballistic attacks and bomb blasts.
These laminate panels hold glass doors and windows firmly in place after multiple impacts. In terms of protecting against forced entry, laminated glass can delay entry long enough for the criminals to think twice or get caught, or even deny entry all together (this depends on the specific thickness and composition of the glass).
We offer our full line of Riot Glass® laminated security glass, which is up to 100 times stiffer and five times stronger than traditional interlayer safety glass. Riot Glass can also be retrofitted right into your existing framing systems to avoid the cost of complete window replacement, making it a very cost-effective glass reinforcement solution.
In instances where window film or laminated security glass aren’t enough, we recommend non-glass, polycarbonate panels. These glass-like panels are made from a combination of polycarbonate, acrylics, and other plastics, which gives them a level of strength and durability unattainable by normal glass.
Who needs so much security? Well, our ArmorPlast® line of polycarbonate panels and framing has been put to use in many types of high-security commercial properties including government buildings, correctional facilities, schools, religious buildings, specialty retailers, financial institutions, corporate offices, and more.
Containment grade and ballistic grade glass-like products aren’t just for protecting against ballistic attacks, they also provide the strongest barrier against burglary, vandalism, and looting. This is why our ArmorPlast line is so popular among luxury retailers, office building owners, and other commercial clients looking to prevent expensive damage and theft.
Besides the physical security upgrades they provide, products like window film and laminated glass can offer a range of other benefits as well. In addition to clear versions, these types of products are also available in tinted, colored, and mirrored varieties.
You can use these colored varieties to increase privacy, give your property a new look, reduce heat and glare from the sun, and even block out up to 99% of the sun’s harmful UV rays that cause fading. These are all things to consider when you’re deciding what type of security glass will be the most beneficial for your home or business.
Ultimately, deciding how to improve your property’s security comes down to two factors: the perceived threat level and your budget.
We recommend starting with a professional threat assessment to receive recommendations about how to improve your security and help you determine the best solutions to suit your unique needs and budget.
Contact Riot Glass today to learn more about our security glass products or to schedule a threat assessment.
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