Security Window Film can Make Your Home More Secure

Security window films can make your home much more resistant to burglary attempts. They consist of polyester, or PET films that are applied to your windows or glass doors in order to hold them together if the glass is shattered (similar to laminated glass).  The difference between security film and laminated glass is that these security films can be applied to your windows after they have been installed.

Security film is thicker than regular window film that you buy to tint your windows. It normally uses a pressure-sensitive adhesive type of glue, which helps prevent glass breakage, along with holding glass pieces together while the glass gets broken.

Windows are always one of the biggest weaknesses in most homes.  Security film will cause an attacker to make a lot of noise plus delay him while giving you time to react.

According to manufacturer claims most security film can resist blows of up 400 foot-pounds. 3M’s 28-ply Ultra Safety and Security Clear Window Film costs $7 to $9 per square foot or about $105 to $135 for a 3×5-foot window. Any security window film you purchase should comply with testing standard ANSI Z97.1

Here are links to a couple of sites that show doors covered with security window film being attacked.  They give you some idea of the type of damage the film can withstand. Second video. 

In addition to being burglary resistant security window film also offers protection against glass breakage during earthquakes.  Security window films have proven their worth by protecting people and property during earthquake activity, by helping retain window glass in its frame, thus prevent injury by falling glass.

They also are used on many government buildings to minimum damage from flying glass caused by explosions.  This can reduce casualties.  In addition, security window film can stop Molotov cocktails from reaching the interior of your home.

Films can be installed in a couple of ways, the first and most common is only on the daylight area of the glass. The second, is if the glass is removed from the frame and film is installed on the entire glass surface called an edge-to-edge installation. Security window films installed on the daylight portion only hold the glass together and in the frame so long as some of the glass edge remains unbroken along the line where the daylight part of the glass meets the frame. Once there is total edge break of the glass itself, then the film and broken glass held by it vacates the frame.  Films installed edge-to-edge hold glass in the frame better since a part of the film is installed on the glass under the frame, thereby holding the broken glass in place even with total daylight area glass breakage.

Remember security window films will not make your home burglar proof, but they will make it harder and noisier for someone trying to break in.  As with anything remember there are scams, for one thing make sure you are comparing apples to apples when you go to buy.  Be sure that the glass thickness in your windows is the same as what they are talking about. Some scammers show test with thicker glass and mislead you.

Howard

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