More and more businesses that want to add cost-effective bulletproof protection to their building are turning to so-called ballistic film for glass doors as a solution. But does “ballistic film” for glass doors provide adequate protection?
No. There is no so-called “ballistic” film that is cost-effective, will apply in one layer over existing door glass, and stop a bullet.
Fortunately, most manufacturers are very up-front with that information. However, there are some third-party vendors who may try to promote security film products as being “not quite bulletproof” or “some level of bullet-resistance.” Don’t let marketing language fool you. If you need a glass door that can stop a bullet, you need ballistic-rated bulletproof glass.
Why Avoid Using Ballistic Film for Glass Doors?
Potential intruders seek out a building’s point of least resistance. In most cases, this involves smashing the glass window or door. When applied to a glass door, security window film will keep the glass from shattering, but it will not stop the bullets. Security window film is designed to prevent a potential intruder from gaining immediate entry. It will not hold them for long, but the film will buy some time for the building’s inhabitants to sound the alarm and get to safety.
True, reliable ballistic protection comes from glazing that has been tested to a known standard. There is currently not a reliable ballistic film product that is affordable, able to be applied in one layer on existing window or door glass, and can stop bullets. That’s why we always recommend installing bulletproof doors and windows if you need bulletproof protection.
The gold standard for bulletproof resistance is the UL 752. This standard defines the type of firearm and number of shots that bulletproof glass can stop. The standard also includes acceptable levels of spalling, which is dangerous fragmentation that can happen on the safe side of the glass.
For True Ballistic Protection, You Need Bulletproof Glass Doors
When your threat level requires doors with bulletproof protection, you need a reputable manufacturer who has their products independently tested to UL 752. Don’t compromise on safety by using questionable products or poor-quality doors.
At TSS, we have been fabricating bulletproof doors for over 20 years, and we are the trusted partners for bulletproof protection all over the USA. We have two different types of transparent bullet-resistant doors, all-glass and acrylic. These provide valuable visual clarity to active threat events while maintaining safety and security for authorized personnel. Plus, because we independently test our products, you can trust that they will perform the way you expect them to under fire.
All-Glass Bulletproof Doors
Our all-glass bulletproof doors are nearly indistinguishable from non-rated glass doors. These doors can be designed to match your existing aesthetic—including hardware—while providing both ballistic and forced-entry protection. Like all bulletproof doors, all-glass ballistic doors are heavier than their non-rated counterparts, but special door closers and openers can make them easy to use. These are available with a sleek, frameless design for maximum light transmission and visibility to help you maintain an open, friendly space.
Acrylic Bulletproof Doors
While heavier than a non-rated door, our acrylic bulletproof doors are the lightest of all our bullet-resistant doors. They’re an excellent cost-effective option, but they may not work for all applications. Acrylic is not weather-resistant, so these doors are best suited to interior doorways. Acrylic can also be damaged by conventional glass cleaners, so we recommend either adding a protective coating or using a non-abrasive cleaner.
Both all-glass and acrylic doors are tested to the most common ballistic threat levels, UL 752 Levels 1 through 3. These ratings encompass a range of handguns, which are the weapons most often used in shootings in the United States. Per the UL 752 standard, each of these doors is guaranteed to stop a tight cluster of three bullets without failure, buying valuable time to get to safety and call the authorities.
Learn More About Your Ballistic Door Options
At Total Security Solutions, there is nothing more important to us than your safety. That’s why we offer a wide range of ballistic doors that can fit almost any aesthetic with the protection levels you need to keep your people safe. This includes wooden or metal doors for any industry or application in a full range of protection levels up to level 8.
To explore all the options for ballistic doors, please take a look at our free download, the Ballistic Doors Solutions Guide. This covers the different materials, typical uses, costs, and hardware that can help you plan your ballistic security project.