As the nation endures one violent event after the other, world conflicts threaten our shores and catastrophic weather episodes occur more frequently, building owners are taking a more aggressive approach to protecting their real estate and the people inside.

Among the measures being taken are protecting building windows from unexpected explosions, gunfire penetration and gale force winds. Typical, non-shatter resistant glass cannot sustain the impact of explosives, bullets and high winds. As a result, any severe event can cause the glass to shatter, with glass chards acting as lethal weapons as they blow through the building interior. Any building occupants in the vicinity of the windows are hugely at risk.

It was the bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in downtown Oklahoma City on April 15, 1995 by Timothy McVeigh, who detonated explosives stashed in a rental truck. The bomb blast killed 168 people and injured 680, with many of the casualties the result of flying glass. The catastrophe sent alarm bells throughout the window film industry, which at the time was mainly focused on solar control window film installation for energy savings and increased building comfort. It was the Oklahoma City event that led to the development of fragment retention window films that could hold the window glass in place during such events.

 

Security window film benefits

 

Specifically, shatter resistant window films are designed to increase the shatter resistance of glass, keeping the glass in place during catastrophic events. They are similar to solar control window films in that they are polyester laminates and but are often used in buildings where bomb blast mitigation may be necessary or where dangerous foul weather events frequently occur.

Security window films – also known as fragment retention and shatter resistance window films – are usually thicker than solar control window films. They are offered in thicknesses ranging from 4 to 21 mils and use a heavier and more aggressive adhesive system. The added thickness and adhesive system are what make security films work so well in holding glass windows in place during catastrophic events. Depending on fragment retention performance and budget constraints, shatter-resistant window protection can be installed on the glass only – known as a daylight application – or physically attached to the window frame, known as attached systems.

Fragment window films are the result of a sophisticated manufacturing process in which the finest raw materials and state-of-the-art technology is used for the most effective shatter-resistant window protection.

 

Security films are available in clear or a variety of tinted, solar-reflective versions. This is significant because an added benefit of installing security window films with a solar control component gives you the benefit of increased glass strength as well as conserving, which makes the building more comfortable.

 

Energy savings, too 

 

The energy savings gained by installing this combination film gives buildings owners a payback on their investment that eventually will cover the cost of the installation. Considering the cost ramifications from a catastrophic event in which a building’s glass is blown out, injuring and possibly killing building tenants, the cost of security window film installation is minimal.

Since the early days after the Oklahoma City bombing, security window films have improved significantly. Their use has become widespread, from federal and state buildings, to major corporate structures, to hospitals, airports, convention centers, museums and schools.

Some of the country’s most well-known buildings are protected with security window films. They include the U.S. Capitol, all the U.S. House of Representative and Library of Congress buildings, Grand Central Terminal and the Merrill Lynch towers in New York City, O’Hare International and Seattle-Tacoma International airports, the United Nations, the Yale University library, the Washington and Houston convention centers, the Willis [former Sears] Tower, and the Philadelphia and Denver mints.

The most important thing for building owners, construction companies and architects to know if they are considering having security window films as part of their project: Make sure you hire an experienced and reputable fragment retention window film installer.  This is critical to the success of your project.

Commercial Window Shield is considered in the industry as one of the most experience and reputable installers of security window film in the country.