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AP100-BR-LV2

Ballistic Glazing - UL 752 Level 2

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AP125BR-LV6

Ballistic Glazing - UL 752 Level 6

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AP25

AR Polycarbonate Sheets

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AP375

Containment and Safety Glazing

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AP50BR

Ballistic Glazing - HPW Level A

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AP75BR-LV1

Ballistic Glazing - UL 752 Level 1

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ArmorPlast® Gen I Series


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ArmorPlast® Gen II Series


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ArmorPlast® IGU Series


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J Series

Ballistic & Forced Entry Grade Sub-framing

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RG2-LS

Ballistic Glazing UL 752 Level 2

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RG3-LS

Ballistic Glazing - UL 752 Level 3

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RG4-LS

Ballistic Glazing - UL 752 Level 4

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RG5-LS

Ballistic Glazing - UL 752 Level 5

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RG7-LS

Ballistic Glazing - UL 752 Level 7

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Our Solutions

Riot Glass® retrofit systems consist of custom-made security glass and framing designs that provide maximum protection against forced entry and ballistic threats.

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Forced Entry

Virtually unbreakable retrofit solutions

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Bulletproof Protection

Ideal protection against active threats

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Hurricane & Windstorm

Great protection against storm damage

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Energy Efficiency

Sustainable, reliable and affordable Low-E solutions

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Blast Mitigation

Security window film to a complete retrofit

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Sound Attenuation

Window glazing ideal for blocking external noise

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Our Clientele

Riot Glass® can be used to secure any building. Virtually invisible yet nearly indestructible, it blends seamlessly in almost any existing window, door, or
storefront.

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Are There Forced Entry-Resistant Doors for Glass Storefronts and Entryways?

Written By: Brad CampbellDecember 19, 2023

When you think of forced entry-resistant doors, you might picture heavy, solid steel doors with no windows or glass components of any kind. 

While these types of fortified doors certainly do exist, what about forced entry-resistant doors for commercial facilities that have glass storefronts?

glass building

Well, if your place of business has an all-glass entry door or doors with built-in glass windows, the good news is that they can be reinforced against forced entry and attacks.

Depending on the level of security you need, you can also make your glass doors bullet-resistant.

Who Needs Forced Entry-Resistant Doors?

Virtually every type of commercial building needs forced entry protection. A building is only as secure as its most vulnerable potential entry points, which are almost always unprotected doors and windows.

More often than not, criminals try to force entry to a building by breaking a pane of glass to unlock and open a door from the inside. Because of this, your property’s doors are often your first line of defense against forced entry.

Examples of Commercial Facilities That Need Forced Entry-Resistant Doors:

  • Retail stores
  • Offices
  • Government buildings
  • Schools
  • Religious facilities

The examples listed above can all benefit from forced entry-resistant doors, but they may have different needs in terms of levels of protection.

commercial building

For example, retailers and offices are typically most concerned about burglary and theft, whereas government buildings and schools may be more at risk of violent attacks.

The exact level of protection your facility needs is best determined by having a professional threat assessment carried out by a security expert.

During a threat assessment, the security professional in charge walks though your property to identify security vulnerabilities, especially when it comes to windows and doors. They then make actionable recommendations on how to improve security, including where and how to reinforce doors.

entryway

How Are Commercial Doors Typically Compromised?

As we mentioned earlier, intruders often gain access to a building by smashing a pane of glass out and reaching through to open a door from the inside. 

It’s been shown that criminals are able to do this if there is a pane of glass anywhere within about 40 inches of a door’s lock and handle.

Intruders also frequently use pry bars to bend door frames and even pop door locks right out of their frames.

In the event of a violent attack, such as an active threat scenario, the attackers may shoot out a door’s glass to gain access to a facility.

To protect against all of these methods of forced entry, your doors should be composed of both forced entry-resistant glazing and security framing.

How To Make Doors Forced Entry Resistant with Riot Glass

If your commercial building’s glass doors are unprotected against forced entry, Riot Glass can help. 

There are three solutions we typically recommend for reinforcing your doors against forced entry, burglary, and violent attacks:

  1. ArmorPlast® Retrofit Security Glazing
  2. Riot Glass® AG Series All-Glass Forced Entry-Resistant Doors
  3. Riot Glass Unbreakable Door Conversions

ArmorPlast Retrofit Security Glazing

For framed glass doors or doors with a glass see-through window component built in, retrofitting ArmorPlast polycarbonate-based security glazing is a very cost-effective option for forced entry prevention.

glass door

ArmorPlast is available in a variety of thicknesses and strengths, starting at 1/4-inch containment-grade (non-ballistic) AP25, our flagship product.

AP25 does not stop bullets, but it is virtually unbreakable and will continue to deny forced entry even if riddled with bullets.

ap25

If you want even higher levels of protection, ArmorPlast glazing is available with various UL 752 ballistic resistance ratings, which means it can stop several rounds from specific types of firearms.

As a retrofit solution, ArmorPlast can be installed into or onto your existing door framing systems, so there’s no need to remove or replace the existing glass (one of the reasons it’s so cost-effective). 

Additionally, unlike traditional forced entry prevention solutions, like window bars, ArmorPlast does not significantly alter the appearance of your storefront, block out natural light, or reduce visibility.

This makes it an ideal solution for retail stores and other types of commercial buildings where curb appeal, light transmission, and views of the outdoors are important benefits of glass doors.

Benefits of ArmorPlast:

  • Creates an invisible barrier over your existing glass
  • Maintains aesthetics, including natural light and views
  • Virtually unbreakable
  • Available in a variety of options (containment and ballistic grade) for all security needs and budgets
  • Can be retrofitted into or onto most existing door frames
  • Very cost effective
  • Prevents forced entry, burglary, smash-and-grab theft, looting, and vandalism
  • Denies access during active threats
  • Can be used in place of hurricane shutters for storm damage mitigation

ArmorPlast is also available with our Gen II Standard Series security framing, which offers extreme durability with an even smaller footprint than previous models. This makes it an even more ideal retrofit solution for making doors forced entry resistant.

Gen II security framing is compatible with 1/4-inch or 3/8-inch forced entry-resistant or bullet-resistant infill panels and comes in a variety of finishes to match the appearance of your existing storefront.

Riot Glass AG Series All-Glass Forced Entry-Resistant Doors

For all-glass commercial doors that feature minimalistic top and bottom rails holding the glass in place, we recommend our AG series all-glass forced entry-resistant doors to maintain maximum aesthetics.

glass entry door

These doors are available in ballistic- and forced entry-grade models, and are designed to meet the highest of standards in both security and design.

Each door assembly comes with reinforced top and bottom rails, heavy-duty framing and hinges, closers, mounting hardware, and the desired security glazing. Mortise locks and magnetic locks are also available.

In terms of the security glazing, glass-clad polycarbonate or fully polycarbonate options are available in different thicknesses with a full range of forced entry and ballistic resistance ratings.

AG Series doors are highly customizable and can fit single and double doorways of varying standard and custom heights and sizes.

Benefits of Riot Glass AG Series doors:

  • Designed specifically for all-glass storefronts
  • Provide high-level forced entry and ballistic protection, without compromising on appearance
  • Can be fully customized to meet your design and security requirements
  • Made to withstand prolonged attacks from heavy hand tools
  • Available in a variety of finishes and with different styles of handles and locks

Riot Glass Unbreakable Door Conversions

If you’re after a truly unbreakable forced entry-resistant entryway door system, a Riot Glass unbreakable door conversion may be the ideal solution.

These door conversions employ a combination of the solutions discussed above, including ArmorPlast Gen II Series door conversion security framing and ArmorPlast AP75 bullet-resistant security glazing infill panels with a UL 752 Level 1 ballistic resistant rating.

This formidable combination of forced entry-resistant door materials results in a virtually indestructible commercial glass entryway door unit that can withstand even the most determined, violent attacks.

The AP75 unbreakable door conversion infill units have even passed one of the most intensive forced entry resistance tests in existence — the ASTM F3038 forced entry test

This test is designed to simulate a spontaneous mob of attackers, such as a group of rioters, using heavy hand tools and other readily available objects to try and force entry over a prolonged period.

Passing this test means that these unbreakable door conversion units are suited to some of the most high-security commercial applications you can imagine, including high-security government buildings and similar facilities.

Benefits of Unbreakable Forced Entry-Resistant Door Conversions:

  • Creates an unbreakable forced entry-resistant entryway door system
  • Utilizes ArmorPlast Gen II Series security framing and ArmorPlast AP75 bullet-resistant glazing panels
  • AP75 panels have a UL 752 Level 1 ballistic resistant rating
  • AP75 units passed the rigorous ASTM F3038 forced entry test
  • Suitable for the most high-security applications

Wrapping Up

For businesses and commercial facilities with glass storefronts and entryways, the need for forced entry-resistant doors cannot be overstated. 

Traditional images of solid steel doors don’t have to define security, as glass doors can also be reinforced against forced entry and attacks. 

Riot Glass provides effective solutions catering to different security needs, offering options like ArmorPlast retrofit security glazing, Riot Glass AG Series all-glass forced entry-resistant doors, and Riot Glass unbreakable door conversions. These solutions not only enhance security, but maintain aesthetics, visibility, and natural light. 

We can assist you with choosing the perfect glass security doors for your project, so don’t hesitate to reach out to us today with any questions.

Contact Riot Glass now for a free consultation.

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Upgrade your commercial property's security with Riot Glass today! As a leading manufacturer of retrofit security glass and door systems, we specialize in safeguarding storefronts and commercial spaces.

For residential installations, we're excited to help you secure your property with Riot Glass! Just a friendly note: to qualify, please ensure your property has aluminum framing. Reach out to us today to get started!
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