The Power of Security Glass Unleashed

Laminated security glass protects against burglary, smash-and-grab theft and rioting. It also protects against threats from mother nature, such as storms and seismic events.

Unlike standard windows and some tempered safety glass, when laminated security glass breaks it holds the glass shards in place instead of shattering dangerously inward. This makes it a virtually impenetrable option.

Strength

Known by several names, including ArmourShield or Bandit Sheild glass, security glass is designed to protect your business from physical attack. It’s made from multiple layers of laminated glass or acrylic and can withstand the force of an attack, including guns or bombs, for up to thirty minutes. Unlike traditional annealed glass that breaks into sharp jagged shards, security glass shatter into tiny harmless chunks that are hard to cut and significantly reduce the risk of injury.

Laminated safety and security glass such as Pilkington Optilam(tm) includes an interlayer of PVB between two panes of strengthened glazing, making it extremely difficult to break. It’s tested and rated by organizations like the Underwriter’s Laboratory and the European Standard to ensure that it can resist attacks from axes, hammers or other means of manual entry. It also offers improved acoustic performance and can be used in housing developments to prevent noise pollution from nearby construction sites or busy roads.

Durability

Some of the most effective security glazing available is also some of the most difficult to break. Often referred to as ballistic glass or transparent armor, these products are built up through layers of laminated or acrylic material that is bound together through chemical processes. They can withstand a range of threats including bullets and bomb blasts, depending on the thickness of the layers. This type of glass is custom built and typically expensive, but it offers the best protection against physical attack.

Tempered glass, or toughened glass is another form of security glazing. It's about four-five times stronger than standard float glass, and when it does break it forms small harmless fragments rather than sharp knife-like shards.

Acrylic is a plastic alternative to glass that is UL 752 listed bulletproof up to level 3. It's less expensive than laminated security glass and doubles as safety glass. It can withstand blows from sledge hammers, flying kung-fu kicks and other types of physical attack.

Impact Resistance

In its annealed form, glass poses no threat but when broken it creates long, dangerous shards that can be cut into the skin. Thankfully, impact resistant windows and doors are available that prevent breakage by incorporating an interlayer between multiple panes of glass that is bonded together.

These windows are able to resist direct attack from objects such as golf balls, kung fu kicks and the debris that can enter homes during a hurricane. The impact resistance of these windows also helps to deter criminals from breaking into a home as the window is difficult to penetrate and they will most likely be caught by a neighbor or security camera before being able to get through the door.

For homeowners that don’t want to invest in impact windows and doors, security film is a great alternative. This retrofit option is affordable, turns any window into safety glass and is rated up to 8 mils in thickness.

Noise Reduction

While the term “shatterproof” can be misleading, security glass is not actually unbreakable. However, it is designed to be very shatter-resistant. This means that when it does break, the PVB interlayers will help hold glass shards in place to prevent them from shattering dangerously inward.

In addition to reducing breakage, security glass offers a number of noise reduction capabilities. This can be especially beneficial for buildings in high-profile locations where the ability to deter criminals and unauthorized personnel is crucial.

In some cases, this glass can be backed with steel to provide extra protection against ballistics and explosions. This is often required in locations that require UL certification for safety and security. Unlike bars and gates, security glass can be made to look like normal windows and doors so that businesses and homeowners don’t have to sacrifice curb appeal. This also makes it easier for security teams to keep an eye on unauthorized activity. Integrated with sensors, this glass can even prevent damage from pets who might accidentally trigger the alarm systems.