Shatter resistant window films are designed to increase the shatter resistance of glass during catastrophic blasts such as terrorist attacks or natural gas explosions, and natural weather disasters, such as hurricanes and tornadoes.

 

The films were developed following the bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in downtown Oklahoma City, Okla. on April 19, 1995. The blast, which impacted buildings for several blocks, killed 168 people and injured nearly 700. Many of the deaths and injuries were the result of flying glass shards

 

Shatter proof windows films, also known as security window film or safety and security window film, range in thickness from 4 to 21 mils, which is thicker than typical window films.   The films are almost always installed on the interior of the windows and doors. They require a heavier, more aggressive adhesive system. They can be anchored to the window frame with either a wet glaze or mechanical system. The type of installation system that is used can depend on the type of glass and window frame that’s being protected. Generally, more sophisticated attachment systems are required for the thicker security window films.

 

As the threat of terrorism and the number of severe weather events have increased in recent years, the demand for shatter resistant window films have increased. This has been particularly true in buildings occupied by the federal government, schools and key buildings in the country’s hurricane and tornado belts.

 

Some of the well known buildings protected by shatter resistant window films include the U.S. Capitol; all the buildings of the U.S. House of Representatives and Library of Congress; the Pentagon; FBI headquarters; Department of Energy, Transportation, EPA and Agriculture headquarters; Grand Central Terminal [NYC]; the Willis [former Sears] Tower; and the Philadelphia and Denver mints.