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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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What Is Impact Glass and What Type Should You Use?

Written By: Brad CampbellSeptember 9, 2021

Making your glass doors and windows impact-resistant is one of the best ways to improve the security of your business or commercial facility. 

A building’s windows and doors are its most vulnerable points when it comes to forced entry, storm damage, and other security threats.

bullet resistant panels

There are many ways you can protect your window glass from impacts, one of which is by retrofitting doors and windows with impact glass.

In this article we’ll take a look at the different options you have for impact-resistant glass and, *spoiler alert*, let you know what the best choice is.

What Is Impact Glass?

The Different Types of Impact Glass for Windows and Doors

The term “impact glass” can refer to a number of different types of impact-resistant window and door glass. These types of glass all provide more protection against impacts than your standard window glass, but they are not equal in terms of strength.

impact glass

Whether you’re looking for forced entry protection or hurricane storm damage protection, it’s important to choose the right type of impact glass to reinforce your glass doors and windows.

Laminated Safety and Security Impact Glass

Laminated security glass is a special type of safety glass designed to hold together when shattered. These panels of impact-resistant glass actually consist of two layers of strengthened glass with a special thermoplastic interlayer sandwiched in between them.

Whereas traditional window glass is easily shattered during a forced entry attempt or by flying storm debris, security laminates can withstand very high-force impacts without shattering inwards.

Even when the glass does break, the shards are held in place, delaying a forced entry or keeping your home protected during a storm.

hand holding a piece of shattered glass

Now, that’s not to say that laminated impact-resistant glass can’t be broken through. Repeated blows from a determined would-be intruder or multiple impacts from storm debris hurled by hurricane-force winds can still destroy this type of impact glass.

Laminated Safety and Security Glass Facts:

  • Consists of a thermoplastic interlayer sandwiched between strengthened glass
  • Available in different thicknesses and strengths
  • Disperses the force of impacts to reduce breakage
  • Retains its shape and function after several impacts
  • Can be retrofitted over existing window glass

What’s the Difference Between Tempered Safety Glass and Impact Glass?

Before we continue explaining your impact glass options, it’s important to note the difference between tempered safety glass and impact-resistant security glass: tempered safety glass is NOT impact resistant.

This type of safety glass is window glass that undergoes a special heating and cooling process, called tempering, that makes it break apart in a special way. The sole function of this glass is to prevent injury when it gets broken. 

security glazing

When a piece of tempered safety glass shatters, it breaks apart into thousands of tiny, rounded pieces of glass, instead of into large, jagged shards.

Safety glass is most commonly used to make automobile windows, shower doors, aquariums, glass furniture, and architectural glass, like glass staircases and railings.

Glass-Like Impact Windows

Another type of impact window available to you isn’t actually glass. Rather, it’s made from plastic composites such as acrylics and polycarbonate. You might know this type of “glass” by the trade name plexiglass.

When made specifically for security applications, glass-like impact windows provide a similar surface hardness to that of glass and are virtually unbreakable because of the ability of the plastic composites to disperse the force of impacts.

Like other types of security glass, glass-like impact windows can be retrofitted into or onto existing windows and doors to protect the existing glass. 

These types of impact-resistant windows are just as transparent as glass, so they don’t inhibit your views, block out light, or change other optics of your windows.

glass panels

When you’re shopping around for polycarbonate and acrylic impact windows, it’s important to look for models that have an abrasion- and UV-resistant coating to protect against scratching, yellowing, hazing, and other degradation of the surface.

Glass-Like Impact Windows Facts:

  • Made from polycarbonate and/or acrylic composites
  • Virtually unbreakable – can’t be shattered or dislodged by repeated impacts
  • Look and feel very similar to regular glass
  • Totally transparent and low profile
  • Can be retrofitted into or onto existing glass doors and windows

What Type of Impact Glass Should I Choose?

Ultimately, your decision about what impact glass to choose for your property comes down to your budget and specific security needs. However, we highly recommend polycarbonate glazing shields for the highest level of security and protection from all types of threats.

What Are the Best Polycarbonate Impact Windows for Me?

The most cost-effective polycarbonate glazing shields that we recommend to our clients are ArmorPlast™ AP25. 

armorplast graphic

These are non-ballistic, containment-grade glazing shields, meaning that they don’t stop bullets, but they will not break down or diminish in strength even if riddled with bullets. 

So, if bullets can’t even take AP25 down, you can imagine how effective it is at preventing forced entry and protecting against storm damage.

No matter how determined a would-be intruder is or how vicious a storm is, these impact windows are going to keep your facility’s glass doors and windows protected.

A Word on the Importance of Impact Windows

When your windows break, the broken glass is usually the least of your worries. 

If an intruder enters your property, you can potentially be facing thousands of dollars of losses in stolen goods and equipment. 

forced entry

Or, in the event of a hurricane or tropical storm, a broken window leaves your property exposed to wind damage and rainwater flooding, both of which can result in irreversible damage.

That’s why it’s always worth making the investment to protect your window glass against impacts now, instead of dealing with the consequences of unprotected windows and doors later.

Conclusion

We have been in the security glass business for more than 25 years. We are committed to helping clients nationwide by providing security consultations and top-of-the-line security glass products.

Contact us today or have your local glass contractor give us a call to discuss our virtually unbreakable impact windows and other glass security solutions.

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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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