Written By: Brad Campbell | July 15, 2025
Due to its impact resistance, durability, and versatility, polycarbonate is one of the most popular materials used for modern security glazing.
Polycarbonate glazing is used in everything from storm windows to bullet-resistant entryway doors, offering high levels of physical protection against all types of impacts, whether due to a forced entry attempt, flying storm debris, an active threat scenario, or anything in between.
In case you’re not familiar with polycarbonate and its security glazing applications, we put together this guide to answer questions like “what is polycarbonate made of” and FAQs about its use in commercial building security.
Polycarbonate is a type of thermoplastic polymer that contains carbonate groups in its structure. It is made from bisphenol A (BPA) and phosgene (COCl₂) through a polymerization process. This combination creates a durable, lightweight material that is highly resistant to impact and temperature, making polycarbonate ideal for engineering applications.
Polycarbonate is also naturally transparent and transmits light virtually as well as glass, making it a popular alternative to glass in architectural glazing and other applications where visibility and light transmission are important.
For example, polycarbonate is commonly used for eyewear and headlight lenses and construction materials, including various types of security glazing for windows and doors.
Polycarbonate is a suitable material for virtually any type of security glazing. Whether you want to protect against vandalism, burglary, smash-and-grab theft, storm damage, or even active threats, polycarbonate-based security glazing is an excellent option.
Polycarbonate is frequently used in forced entry-resistant security glazing systems, which are designed to withstand deliberate attempts to break through a building’s windows or doors.
These systems are highly effective in preventing burglaries, vandalism, and smash-and-grab thefts, providing a robust barrier without sacrificing visibility or aesthetics.
For high-risk environments requiring advanced protection against potential ballistic threats, such as banks, government facilities, or schools, ballistic-grade polycarbonate glazing is the gold standard.
This type of glazing is engineered to resist firearm impacts while maintaining its structural integrity to continue providing access denial. Its lightweight nature compared to traditional bullet-resistant glass compositions makes it easier to install while offering superior protection.
Polycarbonate can also be combined with laminated security glass, resulting in glass-clad polycarbonate (GCP) glazing that can provide some of the highest levels of ballistic resistance.
In regions prone to extreme weather, polycarbonate-based hurricane windows are a popular alternative to traditional hurricane shutters, storm panels, and plywood board-ups.
These windows are designed to resist flying debris and high wind pressure during severe storms, ensuring the safety of occupants and minimizing property damage.
Unlike traditional storm shutters, hurricane windows made from polycarbonate glazing allow natural light to enter and maintain visibility while providing unmatched durability.
We’ve already touched on some of the reasons why polycarbonate is the perfect material for various types of security glazing, including its incredible impact resistance and ability to transmit natural light almost as well as glass does.
However, polycarbonate has other properties that make it one of the most popular choices for reinforcing commercial doors and windows these days.
For example, polycarbonate is very lightweight compared to traditional glass, making it easier to handle, install, and integrate into existing structures without requiring significant modifications. This lightweight property reduces the strain on door and window frames while maintaining superior strength. In many cases, polycarbonate security glazing can even be retrofitted right on top of existing windows and doors.
Additionally, polycarbonate offers excellent flexibility, allowing it to absorb and dissipate energy from impacts more effectively than rigid materials like glass. This means that polycarbonate security glazing can withstand repeated blows without cracking or shattering, making it ideal for situations where sustained attacks or extreme forces are anticipated.
Another critical advantage is its resistance to environmental factors. Polycarbonate security glazing is designed to endure exposure to UV rays, extreme temperatures, and moisture without yellowing, warping, or losing its structural integrity. These characteristics ensure that polycarbonate security glazing remains effective and visually clear for years, even in harsh climates or high-traffic environments.
Finally, polycarbonate is highly versatile and can be combined with other materials to create layered security glazing systems. For instance, it can be paired with other security glazing laminates or coatings to enhance ballistic resistance, fire resistance, or scratch resistance, making it customizable for virtually any security application.
Yes! Riot Glass develops, manufactures, supplies, and installs the AP-Series system of polycarbonate security glazing, a virtually unbreakable, retrofittable security glazing solution for commercial facilities.
The AP line offers a range of options suitable to all levels of security needs. For example, our flagship AP25 security glazing is a containment-grade (non-ballistic) glazing shield that is the best option for business glass protection.
AP25 resists even the most determined forced entry attempts using sledgehammers or other common burglary tools, making it ideal for protecting retail stores against smash-and-grab theft, for example.
For a combination of forced entry protection and UL 752 Level 1 bullet resistance, there’s also AP75, which has passed the ASTM F3808 forced entry test, certifying it for use in high-risk environments like government buildings. These testing protocols simulate an armed group of attackers, such as a mob of rioters, attempting to force entry using a variety of tools, including firearms, over several minutes.
If you want even higher levels of ballistic resistance, the AP-Series offers different ballistic-grade models going up to a UL 752 Level 6 rating for high speed multi-shot 9mm (Uzi) ballistic attack.
All AP-Series security glazing can be retrofitted over or into virtually any existing doors or windows using our Universal Framing System. It can also be used to replace existing glass or in new construction, including in the construction of interior glass surfaces, such as retail store display cases or cash-handling windows.
Now that you know what polycarbonate is made of and what some of its potential security glazing applications are, you may still be wondering if it’s right for your needs.
Polycarbonate security glazing can be customized to meet all your specific requirements, whether you need to protect a retail storefront, reinforce school doors, or secure a storm-prone building. Its combination of strength, transparency, and versatility makes it a go-to material for safety and security-conscious property owners across industries and regions.
If you're considering polycarbonate for your security glazing needs, consulting with one of our experts at Riot Glass can help you select the best solution for your unique circumstances. Contact us today to get started!
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