Written By: Brad Campbell | June 12, 2025
Whether it’s a retail store, a hospitality business, an office building, a hospital, a school, a government facility, or any other type of commercial property, commercial security glass is one of the most cost-effective ways to reinforce windows and doors against a range of threats — without detracting from curb appeal or reducing the functionality of glass doors and windows.
Commercial security glazing protects buildings against everything from forced entry and burglary to rioting and looting and even active threats, protecting property from theft and people from physical harm. It can also provide a range of other benefits in terms of a building’s performance and aesthetics.
Broadly speaking, commercial security glass is a specialized type of reinforced glass designed to protect against impacts and security threats.
There are many different types of commercial security glazing, composed of different types of glass, non-glass materials (plastics), or a combination of the two. Depending on the exact composition of the glazing, it can provide different levels of impact protection.
For example, forced entry-grade security glass is designed to stop break-in attempts using common burglary tools, such as sledgehammers, bats, and other readily available tools and objects.
Ballistic-grade security glazing takes impact resistance to the next level, withstanding bullets from specific types of firearms in addition to blunt-force attacks.
Commercial security glass can be installed in new construction, used to replace existing glass doors and windows, or retrofitted over existing glass surfaces using retrofittable framing adapters.
The latter of these options tends to be the most cost-effective way to install commercial security glazing in existing buildings because there’s no need to remove the glass, cutting down on labor and time needed.
However, it’s important to note that whether or not you can retrofit security glass over existing doors and windows depends on a variety of factors, including its thickness, weight, and design (not all types of commercial security glass are intended to be retrofit solutions).
Fortunately, there are many fully retrofittable security glazing solutions available from manufacturers like Riot Glass, such as the polycarbonate-based AP-Series.
Due to the lightweight, virtually unbreakable nature of polycarbonate, it can be retrofitted into or onto almost any existing framing system, creating an incredibly impact-resistant access denial barrier over the existing glass.
As we already mentioned, one of the primary benefits of commercial security glass is its ability to prevent forced entry, including after-hours break-ins, smash-and-grab theft, and all other forms of unauthorized access.
Traditional glass is a major vulnerability for businesses, as it can be shattered in seconds with common tools. Security glazing, however, is engineered to withstand repeated impacts, delaying or, as in the case of Riot Glass, entirely preventing intruders from gaining access.
Reinforcing entry points with forced entry-resistant glazing helps businesses deter criminals, reduce losses from theft, prevent property damage, and improve overall safety for employees and customers alike.
For businesses and facilities that face elevated security risks, such as government buildings, schools, banks, and corporate offices, ballistic-grade security glazing offers a critical layer of protection.
Bullet-resistant security glazing is designed to withstand gunfire from specific calibers of firearms, preventing bullets from penetrating doors and windows and safeguarding occupants from active threats.
Unlike traditional bulletproof glass, modern polycarbonate-based security glazing provides a high level of ballistic protection without being excessively heavy or prone to spalling, making it a more practical solution for a wide range of commercial applications.
Beyond human security threats, commercial security glass also helps protect properties from extreme weather conditions.
Impact-rated security glazing can withstand high winds and flying debris from hurricanes, tornadoes, and other severe storms, preventing dangerous glass breakage and keeping the building envelope intact.
This added resilience is particularly valuable in coastal regions and other areas prone to extreme weather, reducing the risk of costly property damage and ensuring the safety of those inside.
Another often-overlooked advantage of commercial security glazing is its ability to reduce noise pollution.
Multi-layered security glass, especially those with laminated or polycarbonate components, can significantly dampen outside noise, creating a quieter and more comfortable indoor environment.
This is especially beneficial for businesses located in busy urban areas, near highways, or in high-traffic commercial zones where excessive noise can be a distraction or nuisance for employees and customers.
Security glazing can even contribute to a building’s energy efficiency by providing superior insulation.
Retrofitting security glass over existing windows adds a pane of glass, which helps regulate indoor temperatures by reducing heat loss in winter and heat gain in summer.
One of the key concerns business owners have when upgrading their security is whether reinforced glazing will detract from the building’s appearance.
Not to worry — modern security glass solutions, like those from Riot Glass, are designed to maintain the clear, professional look of traditional glass while providing physical glass protection.
Installing commercial security glass allows businesses to reinforce their storefronts, entryways, and windows without sacrificing visibility or curb appeal. This ensures that security enhancements do not come at the cost of a welcoming and professional business environment.
Investing in security glass for commercial architecture is one of the most effective ways to safeguard any type of commercial property against a variety of threats while also improving its overall functionality.
From preventing break-ins and protecting against active threats to increasing storm resistance, noise reduction, and energy efficiency, security glazing provides an unmatched combination of safety and performance.
For businesses looking for the most cost-effective and aesthetically pleasing way to fortify their windows and doors — without making them look fortified — Riot Glass offers industry-leading solutions that deliver long-lasting protection without compromise.
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