Riot Glass® retrofit systems consist of custom-made security glass and framing designs that provide maximum protection against forced entry and ballistic threats.
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.
Are There Forced Entry-Resistant Doors for Glass Storefronts?
Written By: Brittney Phillips | September 21, 2022
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?
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
Office buildings
Government facilities
Schools
The examples listed above can all benefit from forced entry-resistant doors, but they may have different needs in terms of levels of protection.
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 recommendations on how to improve security, including where and how to reinforce doors.
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.
Thief with flashlight trying to break glass door with crowbar
In the event of a violent attack, 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 Products
If your commercial building’s glass doors are unprotected against forced entry, Riot Glass can help. There are two ways we typically recommend reinforcing your doors against forced entry, burglary, and violent attacks:
Reinforce glass doors with ArmorPlast® polycarbonate security glazing
For framed glass doors or doors with a glass see-through window component built in, retrofitting ArmorPlast® polycarbonate security glazing is a very cost-effective option for forced entry prevention.
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.
If you want even higher levels of protection, ArmorPlast® is available with various UL 752 ballistic resistance ratings, which mean it can stop one or more 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 bars and grates, 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, natural light, and views 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 to 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
ArmorPlast® is now 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.
Install Riot Glass® AG Series all-glass forced entry-resistant doors
For all-glass commercial doors, we recommend our AG series all-glass doors to maintain maximum aesthetics.
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
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.
