How To Burglar-Proof Commercial Windows and Doors

Commercial burglary has increased yearly since before the pandemic, with the current rate being at least 15% higher than in 2019.

We’ve particularly seen how high-profile smash-and-grabs are becoming a major issue for retailers in major cities across the US.

With such brazen acts becoming more and more commonplace, traditional commercial security measures, such as alarms, cameras, and even security guards, are no longer enough to prevent losses. 

Business owners need to implement physical security measures to burglar-proof windows and doors against forced entry, burglary, smash-and-grab theft, and rioting and looting.

The Problem: Why Businesses Need To Burglar-Proof Windows and Doors

Commercial burglary is an unfortunate reality that businesses of all sizes must confront. According to crime statistics, burglaries can result in significant financial losses, disrupt operations, and leave lasting emotional impacts on business owners and employees. 

While most businesses invest in various security measures, burglar-proofing windows and doors is often overlooked.

This is in part due to the fact that deterrents like alarms and cameras used to be enough to deter and prevent burglary, but criminals are bolder than ever and no longer fear getting caught on camera or alerting store employees or even security personnel.

Another reason why many businesses leave doors and windows without sufficient protection is the misconception that tempered safety glass is strong enough to prevent burglary (spoiler: it’s not).

The reality is that all it takes is a blow from a hammer, a pry bar, a spark plug, or another readily available tool or object to instantly shatter a commercial glass surface, providing easy access to merchandise behind a storefront window, inside a locked store, or in a display case.

Because of this, it’s absolutely crucial for businesses to create a physical barrier over storefront doors and windows to mitigate the risks of forced entry, burglary, smash-and-grab theft, and rioting and looting.

However, many traditional burglary prevention solutions, like bars, scissor gates, and shutters, provide a visual deterrent that can often discourage break-ins, but some cities, landlords, and specialty brands do not want such products visible in the storefront. 

Things like gates and shutters are also often limited to providing after-hours protection only when a business is closed, and are not deployed during business hours, so they don’t prevent the brazen daytime smash-and-grabs that are plaguing retailers.

Benefits of Burglar-Proofing Windows and Doors:

• Asset Protection: Prevents the loss of and damage to merchandise and other expensive assets.
• Employee Safety: Creates a secure work environment and ensures the well-being of employees.
• Operational Continuity: Prevents operational standstills and downtime that can occur because of burglary and property damage.
• Reputation: Builds trust with customers and stakeholders by demonstrating a commitment to security.

The Solution: How To Burglar-Proof Windows and Doors

Fortunately, it’s possible to burglar-proof commercial doors and windows by retrofitting them with some type of Riot Glass® and/or ArmorPlast®.

These security glazing and framing systems for commercial windows and doors use 100% unique formulations of strengthened security glass, polycarbonates, acrylics, and other plastics that make the glazing virtually unbreakable in the face of traditional forced entry methods.

Using proprietary retrofittable framing adapters, it’s possible to install Riot Glass or ArmorPlast into or onto many existing storefront window and door framing systems, creating an incredibly impact-resistant barrier to all types of forced entry and burglary.

When it’s not possible to retrofit security glazing over the existing glass, you can still burglar-proof windows and doors by replacing the existing glass with forced entry-resistant security glazing infills.

It’s even possible to convert an entire commercial entryway door system into a burglar-proof entryway door using a Riot Glass unbreakable door conversion kit.

In short, no matter how many glass storefront windows, doors, and display cases a business may have, there’s a way to reinforce them all to mitigate the threats of forced entry, burglary, smash-and-grab theft, and rioting and looting.

When a would-be intruder tries to smash a commercial window, door, or display case protected by Riot Glass or ArmorPlast using a common burglary tool, their attempt will be met with frustration, causing them to move on and look for an easier target or get caught in the act by the authorities.

Not only does this protect valuable merchandise and equipment from theft, it also reduces the likelihood of expensive property damage, as Riot Glass and ArmorPlast prevent commercial windows and doors from shattering and requiring replacement.

Besides the virtually unbreakable storefront protection that Riot Glass and ArmorPlast provide, the best thing about them is that they do so without altering the appearance or functionality of storefront windows and doors. 

In other words, Riot Glass and ArmorPlast prevent commercial burglary without blocking out natural light, reducing visibility, or hurting the curb appeal of businesses. 

Plus, since Riot Glass and ArmorPlast are “always-there” solutions, they can be used perfectly in tandem with after-hours protection methods, like storefront security gates and shutters.

Benefits of Using Riot Glass and ArmorPlast To Burglar-Proof Windows and Doors:

• Improved Security: Unique formulations of materials make the glazing virtually unbreakable against traditional forced entry methods.
• Retrofitting Options: Retrofittable framing adapters allow easy installation of into or onto existing storefront window and door framing systems.
• Forced Entry-Resistant Infills: When retrofitting is not feasible, existing glass can be replaced with forced entry-resistant security glazing infills.
• Complete Door Conversion: Riot Glass unbreakable door conversion kits enable the transformation of an entire commercial entryway door system into a burglar-proof entryway.
• Mitigation of Various Threats: Mitigates threats such as forced entry, burglary, smash-and-grab theft, rioting, and looting.
• Frustration for Intruders: Frustrates intruders attempting to break in with common burglary tools, prompting them to seek easier targets or risk apprehension by authorities.
• Protection Against Property Damage: Prevents shattering to reduce the likelihood of expensive property damage, avoiding the need for replacements.
• Preservation of Aesthetics: Provides virtually unbreakable protection without altering the appearance or functionality of storefront windows and doors, preserving natural light, visibility, and curb appeal.
• Compatibility with After-Hours Protection: As an “always-there” solution, can complement after-hours protection methods, such as storefront security gates and shutters.

Contact Riot Glass, LLC today to discuss burglar-proofing your commercial windows and doors.