Glass windows and doors, in their various shapes, colors, and forms, are often the focal point of any building. Designed to protect the interior of the building from the elements while letting much-needed natural light in, quite a large surface area of any building is composed of glass
Although glass windows are necessary, they are easily breakable and are where the building or structure is most vulnerable. Criminals know that breaking a window and gaining entry is relatively easy, especially if they own a gun. Therefore, many businesses and institutions are now choosing to replace all normal glass windows with impenetrable glass.
What Is Bullet Resistant/Impenetrable Glass?
French chemist Edouard Benedictus invented impenetrable glass in 1903. He accidentally dropped the flask during an experiment with cellulose nitrate liquid plastic in a flask. While sweeping up the glass, he noticed that although it broke, the glass did not shatter. This observation prompted him to perfect a glass that would not break by making a “glass sandwich” (two layers of glass with a thin film of plastic between them
Although it looks like ordinary glass, impenetrable glass is designed to stop the effects of ballistics/gunfire by absorbing the energy from the bullets. Strong yet lightweight, impermeable glass consists of multiple layers of glass and an acrylic mix. It comes in various sizes and can be fitted to vehicles and structures requiring extra protection
Who Would Install Impenetrable Glass And Why?
Windows are known to be the weakest point of any structure, so there are many compelling reasons to install impermeable glass, including:
- To keep occupants and assets in the building safe from gun-wielding intruders.
- To increase the property resale value.
- Bullet-resistant windows are more durable, reliable, and offer UV protection.
Although any building would benefit from the instillation of bullet-resistant glass, buildings that are more likely to request impermeable glass are:
- Schools
- Places of worship
- Stores, especially those with large display windows
- Banks
- Government buildings
- Various landmarks
The Difference Between Ordinary Glass And Impenetrable Glass
Impenetrable/bullet-resistant glass may look like ordinary glass, but that is where the similarity ends. A few major differences between the two types of glass are
- Thickness
- Composition
- Ability to shatter
- Cost
Thickness
Normal glass is up to 3 mm thick. Impenetrable glass is 21 mm thick (sometimes thicker
Composition
Normal glass is composed of tempered or laminated glass. Impenetrable glass is composed of multiple polycarbonate layers
Ability To Shatter
Normal glass shatters very easily. Glass shards are very dangerous and can cause fatal injuries. Impenetrable glass endures bullets and does not shatter. The multiple layers decrease the speed of the bullet, and the final layer prevents the glass from spalling
Cost
Normal glass prices vary, but impenetrable glass is usually more expensive than normal glass
The Unique Characteristics Of Ballistiglass
Ballistiglass, which can be installed anywhere in the USA, has numerous characteristics that separate it from regular bullet-resistant glass. Some of these characteristics include:
- It is lightweight, weighing 11lbs per square foot.
- It is completely transparent.
- It can be retrofitted to existing glass windows and doors. Ballistiglass is installed with robotic precision.
- It has two unique features:
- Counter Fire – a person, can shoot back from behind the glass
- BallistiShock – shattered glass sprays back at the shooter.
Need More Information About Impenetrable Glass? Ballistiglass Are South Florida’s Experts
Ballistiglass has been South Florida’s security expert since 2002. We are proud of our flawless track record and 100% customer satisfaction ratings.
At Ballistiglass, we spend many hours developing and refining new types of security products and are confident that we can meet your impenetrable glass needs. For more information, fill out our contact form or call us at (954)-612-6640.