Bullet resistant windows?
- Thread starter Mr.X
- Start date
Mr. X, do not trust any "bullet resistant glass that you have not persaonlly tested. I have been involved in testing several tpyes, which were being considered for "bank teller" windows, and I/we shot through damned near every one of them, (caveat, here,) of usable thickness, with many types of handgun/rifle rounds. (Incuding my Colt .45 L.C.)
As R. Reagan said, "Trust, but VERIFY!" The mfgs aren't always believable. J.B.
As R. Reagan said, "Trust, but VERIFY!" The mfgs aren't always believable. J.B.
I have steel doors and frames, they are way cool as lots of places to hang things with magnets.
Lexan windows are pricy and when exposed to sunlight they should be replaced every year or so. Laminated glass pricy too but at least it would be so heavy as to require additional framing for support.
Force fields are nice but they tend to screw up telly reception and they are difficult for civillians to obtain.
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Sam I am, grn egs n packin
Nikita Khrushchev predicted confidently in a speech in Bucharest, Rumania on June 19, 1962 that: " The United States will eventually fly the Communist Red Flag...the American people will hoist it themselves."
Lexan windows are pricy and when exposed to sunlight they should be replaced every year or so. Laminated glass pricy too but at least it would be so heavy as to require additional framing for support.
Force fields are nice but they tend to screw up telly reception and they are difficult for civillians to obtain.
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Sam I am, grn egs n packin
Nikita Khrushchev predicted confidently in a speech in Bucharest, Rumania on June 19, 1962 that: " The United States will eventually fly the Communist Red Flag...the American people will hoist it themselves."
There is a company out that does a ployester film coating for glass. It is designed to be applied to the car or home windows so they cannot be smashed through. The glass breaks but the plastic sheet holds it all together so no entry is possible. It is guaranteed not to yellow also. It is bullent resistent, but it must be applied to a 1/2" thick sheet of tempered glass to stop some loads at 25'. TRY TO FIND 1/2" GLASS LOCALLY. It is only available from large distributors and on special order. You can make your own by using 4 layers of film and 3 sheets of 3/8' glass. It will still not stop a large centerfire rifle or 12ga slug.
I applied a safety film on all of my windows -- it's inexpensive and easy to do yourself. After about a month of sunny days with temps in the 80's/90's (not a problem in southern Florida), the film bakes itself onto the window surface and the two become one. I did this so that the windows could not be smashed in by an intruder and not for the purpose of bullet-proofing but the film can stop a .22LR -- a FMJ .380 will penetrate it. Something to think about.
Share what you know, learn what you don't -- FUD
Share what you know, learn what you don't -- FUD
Polycarbonate can be installed in place of current glass in doors and windows.
Call the places that do residental glass in your area and tell them you want to replace some glass panes with Polycarbonate.
You can do it yourself or have them do it for you. Only limitation this way is that you are limited to the thickness of the orignal glass (or close to it).
The other problem is that while very break resistant polycarbonate will scratch and it will not make the noise that glass does if it is broken.
If possible it is probably a better idea to replace the whole door and frame. With the frame securely attached to studs.
You may have to go to lumber yards/commercial building suppliers to get quality doors (read: strong).
Call the places that do residental glass in your area and tell them you want to replace some glass panes with Polycarbonate.
You can do it yourself or have them do it for you. Only limitation this way is that you are limited to the thickness of the orignal glass (or close to it).
The other problem is that while very break resistant polycarbonate will scratch and it will not make the noise that glass does if it is broken.
If possible it is probably a better idea to replace the whole door and frame. With the frame securely attached to studs.
You may have to go to lumber yards/commercial building suppliers to get quality doors (read: strong).
Mike in VA
New member
Check this stuff out - it's suposed to be good up to .44 mag. (I have no personal experience with it, but am considering it for our next house, for security & hurricanes, One never knows, does one?) http://www.shattergard.com/
staysafe, M2
staysafe, M2
J
Jeff, CA
Guest
There's an outfit called Safeguard Security Services in San Antonio, TX, that markets a bullet-resistant panel called Armortex. It's made as a wall panel, so it's not clear, but they may have clear panels, too. It comes in different thicknesses UL-rated to stop different projectiles:
1/8" - stops 22LR, .38 Lead
7/16" - stops .44 mag
1 3/16" - stops .30-06
I've personally tested the 1/4". It not only stops, but totally absorbs, .357 mag, .357 SIG, .40 & .45. It can be installed like sheetrock and painted. 1-800-880-8306
1/8" - stops 22LR, .38 Lead
7/16" - stops .44 mag
1 3/16" - stops .30-06
I've personally tested the 1/4". It not only stops, but totally absorbs, .357 mag, .357 SIG, .40 & .45. It can be installed like sheetrock and painted. 1-800-880-8306
Glamdring, it is the shatterguard on the website that was posted. It must be professionally installed. I know a guy that is adding this to his business and will get some of the windows on my house done. I recognized the pictures on the site as the same that are in the brochure.
The shatterguard looks similar to 3M's Scotchguard. If you look at the test done against bullets you will note they are using ~1/2" thick glass which is fairly thick, and that is the thinest glass they use.
These films are expensive mainly because they require a "licensed" dealer to install them. Which is just a sales gimmick as far as I can tell. Or a liability/warrenty concern. Because the application is about like putting a sticker on the glass.
I think these films are a very good idea. Just remember that they are not really bullet proof. Glass all by it self is very tough on bullets. The films mainly hold the glass in the frame like the plastic in a car windsheld does.
Now if you want something Cheap and very strong, for say a garage window or skylight, get a discarded Windshield (glass places have to pay extra to get rid of glass because it doesn't decompose). I had an Uncle that had his own glass business for many years and I would help him over college breaks and stuff. I remember beating one broken windshield with hammers and bats after we took it out of a car. They are very tough.
Also the glazings are often the weak spot on windows.
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There can be only one!
These films are expensive mainly because they require a "licensed" dealer to install them. Which is just a sales gimmick as far as I can tell. Or a liability/warrenty concern. Because the application is about like putting a sticker on the glass.
I think these films are a very good idea. Just remember that they are not really bullet proof. Glass all by it self is very tough on bullets. The films mainly hold the glass in the frame like the plastic in a car windsheld does.
Now if you want something Cheap and very strong, for say a garage window or skylight, get a discarded Windshield (glass places have to pay extra to get rid of glass because it doesn't decompose). I had an Uncle that had his own glass business for many years and I would help him over college breaks and stuff. I remember beating one broken windshield with hammers and bats after we took it out of a car. They are very tough.
Also the glazings are often the weak spot on windows.
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There can be only one!
Thanks guys!
I am always looking for products and ideas to add to my home security file.
Armortex: I will have to check on this!
shatterguard: I will have to get some of their literature.
Couple of quick points. The films are a very good idea IMO.
Even if you can't find a product you can apply yourself you may save money (if that matters) by removing the window yourself and taking it to the glass place so they can do the work without coming out to your house.
You can do this for either polycarbonate or the film.
Also if you take this approach you can start with one bed room or safe room at a time, and add rooms as you can afford it.
If I sound cheap it is because most of the people I talk to about home security are on a very limited budget.
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There can be only one!
I am always looking for products and ideas to add to my home security file.
Armortex: I will have to check on this!
shatterguard: I will have to get some of their literature.
Couple of quick points. The films are a very good idea IMO.
Even if you can't find a product you can apply yourself you may save money (if that matters) by removing the window yourself and taking it to the glass place so they can do the work without coming out to your house.
You can do this for either polycarbonate or the film.
Also if you take this approach you can start with one bed room or safe room at a time, and add rooms as you can afford it.
If I sound cheap it is because most of the people I talk to about home security are on a very limited budget.
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There can be only one!