How Can You Secure Commercial Glass Entry Doors Against Forced Entry?

Commercial glass entry doors offer increased visibility, more natural light, and a more modern, professional appearance, but they’re also incredibly vulnerable to forced entry.

Even entryway doors made of strengthened tempered glass can shatter and crumble upon impact — seasoned criminals know exactly how to make short work of glass doors to force entry to a business or facility.

This is why it’s so important for business owners and building managers to take proactive steps to secure their property’s glass doors against forced entry and all the threats that come along with it, from burglary and looting to active threats.

Retrofitting Commercial Glass Entry Doors with Riot Glass

One of the most effective ways to secure commercial glass entry doors is by retrofitting them with Riot Glass security glazing. 

Riot Glass is designed to reinforce existing glass doors and windows, creating a formidable barrier against forced entry attempts while maintaining visibility and aesthetics.

Unlike standard tempered glass, which shatters upon impact, Riot Glass security panels are designed to absorb and distribute the force of impacts, making it significantly harder for intruders to gain entry. 

In fact, many Riot Glass glazing shields utilize specific formulations of polycarbonates, acrylics, and other plastics, rendering them virtually unbreakable and completely shatterproof.

Depending on the level of protection required and the specific types of potential threats you want to protect against, you can choose from either forced entry-resistant or ballistic-grade Riot Glass to achieve your goals.

Forced Entry-Resistant Riot Glass for Commercial Glass Entry Doors

For businesses looking to prevent burglaries, looting, and smash-and-grab attacks, forced entry-resistant Riot Glass is an ideal solution. This security glazing can withstand repeated strikes from hammers, crowbars, bricks, and other common burglary tools without breaking apart or yielding.

Additionally, forced entry-resistant Riot Glass can often be retrofitted right on top of the existing door glass. This is done using retrofittable framing adapters that fit into or onto the existing glass entryway door framing system. Retrofitting the glazing onto an existing door is one of the most cost-effective ways to secure it against forced entry.

Key benefits of forced entry-resistant Riot Glass for commercial glass entry doors include:

• Maintains an office’s or storefront’s natural appearance while providing extra security.
• Delays intruders significantly, making break-ins harder (think virtually impossible) to execute.
• Works with existing framing for an easy, affordable retrofit installation.
• AP75 passes ASTM F3038 forced entry test.

Many businesses, including retail stores, pharmacies, and office buildings, choose this option to prevent costly break-ins and property damage without compromising aesthetics.

Ballistic-Grade Riot Glass for Active Threat Protection

For businesses and facilities that require a higher level of protection, ballistic-grade Riot Glass provides resistance against gunfire in addition to forced entry prevention.

This type of Riot Glass is tested to withstand bullets from various firearm calibers, ensuring that a building’s commercial glass entry doors can protect occupants from active threats.

Schools, government buildings, banks, and other high-risk locations often opt for ballistic-rated security glass to mitigate threats and create safer environments. 

Even high-risk retail businesses and retailers who’ve experienced repeat smash-and-grabs are increasingly turning to bullet-resistant Riot Glass for the highest levels of storefront door and window protection.

Important features of ballistic-grade Riot Glass include:

• Multi-layered security glazing that absorbs ballistic impact.
• Maintains structural integrity even after multiple gunshots.
• Can be installed in existing doors to enhance protection without full replacements.

This solution is a crucial component of an active threat preparedness strategy, helping delay or deter violent attacks while allowing time for emergency response. Keep in mind that ballistic-grade Riot Glass is still fully forced entry resistant as well — even if eventually penetrated by bullets, it continues to deny access.

Riot Glass Unbreakable Door Conversion Units

For the ultimate in commercial glass entry door security, Riot Glass also offers complete unbreakable door conversion units, which fully replace your glass entryway doors with bullet-resistant ArmorPlast AP75 polycarbonate glazing panels and Gen II Series high-security door framing.

ArmorPlast AP75 panels are rated UL 752 Level 1 for ballistic resistance, meaning they can withstand multiple shots from a 9mm handgun firing 124-grain full metal jacket rounds with a lead core.

When paired with impact-resistant ArmorPlast Gen II Series door conversion framing, these panels create an exceptionally durable commercial glass entry door system that resists both forced entry and ballistic threats, standing up to prolonged and intense attacks.

Key advantages of unbreakable door conversion units include:

• No risk of shattering or breaking, even under extreme force or during prolonged attacks.
• Ideal for high-risk businesses and facilities, such as jewelry stores, banks, and government buildings.
• Fully customizable to any building’s existing entryway, functionally and aesthetically.

An unbreakable door conversion is the best solution for businesses and facilities that want to eliminate vulnerabilities altogether while maintaining the appearance and functionality of their glass entryway doors.

Other Considerations for Commercial Glass Entry Door Security

Any commercial facility is only secure as its weakest link, which is almost always an unprotected door or window.

In order for Riot Glass door security solutions to be 100% effective, it’s important to also ensure that any nearby window glazing is also protected. This prevents a would-be intruder from simply smashing a window and reaching through to open a secured door from the inside using its emergency egress mechanism.

Riot Glass offers a full range of retrofittable window glazing solutions to secure your commercial windows against forced entry and ballistic attacks, fortifying your entire property without making it look fortified.

Conclusion

Commercial glass entry doors are a vital part of a building’s design, offering visibility and accessibility—but without the right protection, they can also be a major security vulnerability. Retrofitting glass doors with Riot Glass security glazing or upgrading them using an unbreakable door conversion kit provides a powerful defense against forced entry, burglary, looting, and even active threats.

Whether you need forced entry-resistant Riot Glass to deter traditional break-ins or ballistic-grade Riot Glass for more high-risk environments, these solutions reinforce existing glass doors without compromising aesthetics.

By proactively securing your commercial glass entry doors and reinforcing surrounding windows, you can fortify your property, protect assets, and ensure the safety of employees and customers—all while maintaining the sleek, modern look of your business or facility.

Contact us today for a consultation!