Bulletproof Transaction Windows are the most common item of protection when it comes to bullet-resistant products. At a glance they seem very simple; it’s just a piece of bullet-resistant acrylic and some frames right? In theory, that would be a good analogy but in actuality, there are a lot of components that go into engineering and ultimately building a transaction window. Depending on if you’re looking at a baffle system, an arched voice port, or a hole-in the backer system, the amount of work that goes into each transaction window to make it secure is anything but simple.
Starting from the ground up we begin with the countertop that transaction windows often have. The countertop is the foundation for the entire window and they come in two standard forms. The most common countertop material is plastic laminate, which can be provided in a number of different colors. The other is stainless steel. Stainless steel countertops are often used in exterior applications and upon customer request. After the countertop is constructed, then the currency tray must be either cut in or placed on top of the counter to allow money to pass between customers and employees. Most of our currency trays are recessed into the countertop. Next comes the framing for the transaction window. Attached to the countertop is either a U-channel bracket or 2-piece channel to secure the counter and window together along with pieces of 2-piece channel along the sides and top to hold the bulletproof glass in place.
Before the bulletproof glass is installed, you should decide what type of voice transmission is right for your space. If you have chosen a baffle system, arched voice port, or voice around, then this is already decided; however, other voice port systems are available, such as the hole-in-backer, MK1, and MK2.
Now that the countertop, frames and voice transmission system are chosen, we move on the most important piece, the bulletproof glass. Most transaction windows come with a level one bullet resistant 1 ¼” acrylic, however there are many other options for levels of protection. Bulletproof Glass Clad polycarbonate is available in transaction windows from bullet-resistant levels 1-3 as well as polycarbonate materials. Level three LP1250 contains two 1/8th layers of polycarbonate sandwiched around an inch of bullet-resistant acrylic. LP1250 offers great transparency along with a high level of protection.
Many other transaction windows are available, such as bullet roof horizontal sliders and exterior transaction windows that can be installed in your place of business. For more information on transaction windows visit our products section of our website.
