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Safety and security window film is highly celebrated as an important preventative measure taken by schools, universities, government buildings, businesses, and other commercial and public spaces. This key security solution is essential for making sure that your property’s most vulnerable areas are protected – the glass windows and doors. Having the right security film system in place can maximize your security and lockdown protocols, helping save lives, prevent theft, and deter intruders. There are so many different security systems available in terms of window film, so let’s take a deeper look at the differences so you can make the most informed decision for your specific needs.

Safety and Security Window Film Background

Safety and security window film is a specialty window film product that’s developed specifically to protect your glass windows and doors. Security film is installed along with an attachment system in order to give your existing glass additional durability, strength, and flexibility. Adding this important layer of protection makes it much more difficult for an intruder or assailant to access your property. In turn, building occupants gain precious time to better hide or escape so your school or building can lock down properly and wait for the police to arrive. Another benefit of this additional response time is that the difficulty experienced by the perpetrator often acts as a deterrent. In some cases, this is enough to prevent intruders entirely from entering. In others, the additional time is critical for those inside the property.

Security film is an invisible, passive 24/7 system that can be customized based on your specific needs. There are premium upgrades and additional benefits available such as ballistic resistance and bomb blast protection. Additionally, in the event of an unfortunate event, security film mitigates broken glass hazards which is the leading cause of bodily harm and even death in a blast-related event. This makes cleanup easier while minimizing operational downtime for your building. Aside from break-ins, safety and security film is also a great investment for protecting against smash-and-grabs, severe weather, natural disasters, freak accidents, and more. Security film is also used to address property code, helping transform existing annealed glass to tempered glass in order to meet commercial building code requirements.

The Different Security Window Film Systems Available

When people hear about security film, there are many common misconceptions about capabilities and pricing. It’s important to understand these differences so you’re able to choose the best approach for your needs. Working with a qualified security film team with safety experts that can make comprehensive tactical recommendations for your property is ideal so you can get the most protection out of your system investment.

Single-Layer Standard Security Film System

A single layer of standard security film can be installed on the interior of your existing glass. This is the most basic system and affordable system available.

• Additional response time provided: 30 seconds to 1 minute depending on the intruder and weapon of choice
• Upgrades possible: Higher-quality security films like 3M Ultra are available with carbon fiber cross-weave technology which prevents tears from continuing in the same direction. This can increase the response time provided by up to 3 minutes depending on what weapon is used to get through the glass
• Pros: If you’re very limited in budget and don’t need very long to lock down or escape, this could be a great option for your building. All of these single-layer security films have a unique bomb blast rating – you can opt for a better option if you’d like higher protection against explosions and other high-impact events.
• Cons: With as little as 30 seconds for additional response time, commercial spaces and schools generally need better protection and longer additional response time provided. This system does not offer any resistance to gunfire.

Dual-Pane Standard Security Film System

The dual-pane standard security film system is the most common system among schools. With this security system, security window film is added to the inside of the glass as well as the outside of the glass. The exterior layer is recommended for additional protection.

• Additional response time provided: 3-5+ minutes depending on the intruder and weapon of choice
• Upgrades possible: Higher-quality security films like 3M Ultra can be used for both layers. Additional layers of security film can also be installed for higher protection but this comes at a significant cost.
• Pros: This is the most common security film system because of the sweet spot it’s in – it offers great coverage, generally enough additional response time for buildings to lock down, and tends to be more reasonably priced especially compared to higher-end options. Bomb blast ratings are available with all these systems.
• Cons: The dual-pane system is almost twice the cost of a single-layer system and 3+ minutes may not be enough additional time for your specific needs. This system does not offer any resistance to gunfire.

Dual-Pane Standard Security Film Systems for Entryways

One way we’re able to really maximize the value and protection of dual-pain standard security film systems is by installing them for entryways. This is particularly beneficial for those with two sets of doors at the entry, an exterior set and an interior set. We always recommend this setup for schools and other properties with high-security needs that are on a budget. Security film is applied to the exterior and interior of both sets of doors, providing ample time to lock down and help prevent an intrusion.

• Additional response time provided: 8-10 minutes depending on the intruder and weapon of choice
• Upgrades possible: Higher-quality security films like 3M Ultra can be used for both layers. Additional layers of security film can also be installed for higher protection but this comes at a significant cost.
• Pros: This enables some of the best additional response time available with security film, allowing properties to lock down or better hide and escape until the police arrive. Bomb blast ratings are available with all these systems.
• Cons: Not every building has two sets of doors for their entryway which is required for this specific system. It’s also imperative that those that do have a locking mechanism on both doors that can be controlled by the front desk personnel otherwise it renders the system useless. This system does not offer any resistance to gunfire.

Ballistic-Resistant Security Film Systems

People often want the top-of-the-line security product and for good reason. Ballistic-resistant security film systems are available and are the most sophisticated security window film technology. There currently are no bulletproof window film options on the market yet, making this the top contender for window and glass door protection. This system requires replacing all existing glass with significantly thicker glass in addition to an attachment system and 3 layers of security film. The end product helps slow down bullets but only for a certain caliber.

• Additional response time provided: Generally around 3 shots to get through a level one system (9mm or lower caliber only). Only delays gunfire, the additional response time highly varies depending on the intruder, gun of choice, how many shots, and other weapons or tools used to gain access.
• Upgrades possible: More layers of security film can be added to the 3 required.
• Pros: The only security film system that offers any resistance against gunfire. It does offer significantly longer additional response time in scenarios where the intruder is not shooting at the glass but only works to slow down the bullets which will eventually make their way through. One-way shooting capabilities are also available for tactical defense.
• Cons: There are limitations in capabilities as this window film can only slow down 9mm or lower caliber bullets. Since this system requires installing new glass, 3 layers of film, and an attachment system, the cost may be an issue for certain projects. Ballistic security film systems are approximately 4 times more expensive compared to a dual-pane security system. There’s also the potential issue that the framing around the glass and the surrounding walls won’t be bullet resistant either.

The Importance of a Comprehensive Security Lockdown Protocol

In order to gain the most protection and security benefits from your security film system, it’s crucial to work with a security expert that can properly assess your property and evaluate your security lockdown protocol. There are many window film contractors that are happy to install security film without making any tactical recommendations or making sure that the security film installation makes sense in a specific location.

Our team is comprised of security experts and civil engineers that offer comprehensive security assessments, identify vulnerabilities, make tactical recommendations based on your property, and help provide a cost-benefit analysis so you’re able to confidently pick the right system.

Work With the Nation’s Trusted Security Window Film Expert

Scottish Window Tinting is proud to be the trusted security window film expert serving the nation. Our team has helped countless schools, businesses, and other properties with extensive security film protocols for optimal protection. We always offer free consultations and are happy to discuss further the differences between these systems and what may be best for your property. Contact us today for more information!