The Four Types of Bulletproof Glass (and How to Determine What’s Right for Your Project)
Ballistic glazing choices are based on factors unique to you and your organization. Some of these factors include your application, the level of bulletproof protection you need, the weatherability requirements, and your budget. Even similar businesses may need very different products, which is why it’s important to understand your options so you can make the best decision.
So what type of bulletproof glass is right for you? In this blog, we’ll break down the different types of bulletproof glass, a few of their key features, and where they’re used in various facilities.
What Is Ballistic Glazing?
Ballistic glazing is the security industry term for bulletproof glass. There are multiple types of ballistic glazing made from different material compositions, including glass, acrylic, polycarbonate, and adhesive layers, depending on the type of product.
Most ballistic glass is tested and rated to the UL 752 Standard for Bullet-Resisting Equipment. This standard has 10 levels, but only levels 1 through 8 are used commercially. Each level refers to the projectile type and quantity of bullets that the bulletproof glass can withstand. The level that’s right for you is based on the type of threat you’re most concerned about. For example, because most armed bank robberies are carried out with a handgun, a bank might choose UL Levels 1, 2, or 3, which all stop shots from common handguns.
The Four Types of Bulletproof Glass and Their Uses
There are four primary types of bullet-resistant glass and each has a specific use case that depends on many different factors.
Acrylic Glazing
Acrylic is the simplest glass composition. It’s ideal for handgun protection and organizations that need to make the most of their security budgets.
- UL protection Levels 1-2
- Interior applications only
- Not rated for forced entry protection
- Light transmission: 90%
- Resistant to UV damage
- Requires a special acrylic cleaner (regular cleaners may damage the glass)
- Can be made with an abrasion-resistant coating
Acrylic bulletproof glass is ideal for interior teller windows, reception areas, clear interior doors, and other interior barriers.
Polycarbonate Glazing
Made of polycarbonate sheets laminated to an acrylic core, polycarbonate glazing provides a slightly higher level of protection while conserving thickness and weight.
- UL protection Levels 1-3
- Interior applications only
- Forced entry protection available
- Light transmission: 80%
- Susceptible to UV damage
Polycarbonate glazing is ideal for interior teller windows, reception areas, interior clear doors and other interior barriers that need to protect from handgun fire.
Glass-Clad Polycarbonate Glazing (GCP)
GCP is made of polycarbonate and glass panels laminated together with adhesive interlayers. GCP is ideal for exterior windows in settings that require a robust level of protection from weapons that include high-powered, semi-automatic rifles.
- UL protection level 1-8
- Interior or exterior applications
- Forced entry protection available
- Light transmission: 60-75%
- Resists UV damage
- Many custom options available, such as one-way mirrors, low E, various tints, frosted glass, and more.
Glass-clad polycarbonate is suitable for windows, guard booths, entryways and vestibules, and more.
Insulated Glass
Insulated glass is a similar composition as GCP, but includes an air gap that creates a thermal break, making it suitable for exterior windows in locations requiring climate control.
- UL protection level 1-5
- Interior or exterior applications
- Forced entry protection available
- Light transmission: 90%
- Can be made completely resistant to UV damage
The thermal break makes this a top choice for locations with high temperature variation. This can significantly reduce ongoing heating and cooling costs, which makes insulated bulletproof glass ideal for exterior applications. Insulated glass can also offer protection against handguns and rifles.
Which Types of Bulletproof Glass Are Right For Your Project?
You’ve undoubtedly caught on to the fact that when it comes to your ballistic security project, you may have multiple types of bulletproof glass that can provide the right level of safety for your organization. Choosing the right bulletproof glass is not straightforward, especially when complex factors influence your decision.
This is why Bullet Guard has on-staff security experts who can help you determine which glass is right for your project. We can get to know you, your situation, and your budget, and make helpful recommendations that meet your needs.
If you have any questions about your ballistic security project, don’t hesitate to reach out to Bullet Guard for more information. Either call us at 916.373.0402 or send us an email to learn more about the best way to keep your facility safe.
Choosing Bulletproof Doors for Schools
Schools have become targets for unthinkable violence; with the rise in incidents comes a rise in the need to protect innocent lives. When considering bulletproof doors for schools, there are a few main points to keep in mind.
- Perform an in-depth threat assessment to determine what kind of protection level your school needs.
- Use bulletproof doors and access controls to limit entry points for would-be assailants.
- Prioritize the educational experience and ease of access for students and faculty.
Every campus has a different layout and different elements that require protection. This can make it difficult to generalize advice that works equally well for all schools. For specific recommendations tailored to your educational campus, consult an experienced industry expert like Bullet Guard.
1. Determine Your Protection Level with a Threat Assessment
Before you order bulletproof doors for schools, you’ll need to understand what kind of doors you need to keep your students safe. At Bullet Guard, an independent third party tests our products to the highly-regarded industry standard UL 752. The UL Standard runs from protection Level 1 to Level 10; levels 1 through 8 are used commercially, and levels 9 through 10 are typically only used for military and extreme-threat situations. Each level can stop a certain number of bullets from a certain type of firearm.
Many schools find a Level 3 bulletproof door is sufficient for their needs. Level 3 can stop multiple rounds from a .44 magnum and other handguns. However, some schools prefer more robust protection with a Level 5 bulletproof door, designed to stop rounds from a high-power rifle.
By conducting a threat assessment, you consider the likelihood of various threats and what kind of security is best suited to mitigate those hazards. This will inform your decisions for ballistic ratings and materials.
Once you establish your protection level needs, you can start to triage your vulnerable points and critical locations. We outlined some of the most common areas in a free infographic; download the free “Vulnerable Points and How to Protect Them” infographic to get started today.
2. Determine Important Points to Protect
The best way to prevent a tragedy is to keep it from happening in the first place. Prevent an attacker from gaining entry to your school by focusing your efforts at the exterior access points. From there, you can identify subsequent areas of the building that you can secure with bulletproof doors.
Main Entrance
Schools often have multiple doors forming a large entrance with a vestibule. This is often the first place we recommend securing with ballistic doors. Many schools choose bulletproof doors and framing at the main entrance.
Main entrance doors may be unlocked at the beginning and end of the school day, with access control systems to ensure authorized entry during school hours when students aren’t going in and out.
Cafeteria
In interior locations like the cafeteria, we focus on containment. For an open hallway that connects to the cafeteria, adding bulletproof doors can help section off other areas of the building for better containment. Ensure all doors are secure and use aluminum or wood bulletproof doors to match existing doors and maintain aesthetic appeal.
Long Hallways and Classrooms
Bulletproof doors at the ends of long corridors and at the classroom level offer additional layers of protection that work in tandem with bulletproof exterior doors. If exterior doors fail to keep intruders out, interior doors help keep them from moving around the building.
Multipurpose Rooms
These types of rooms can function as safe rooms during an adverse event. You may consider a ballistic system that protects the entire room, including bulletproof fiberglass wall panels, bulletproof glass windows, and bulletproof doors.
3. Maintaining Aesthetics in Ballistic Systems for Education
Prioritizing aesthetics can keep your ballistic protection from hindering the educational experience of your students. No one wants to feel like they’re going to school in a dangerous environment! That’s why Bullet Guard goes above and beyond to make sure your ballistic systems are tailored to your school’s existing aesthetic.
For instance, entry doors can be replicated using bulletproof materials. These bulletproof doors are nearly identical to their non-rated counterparts and blend into their environment, maintaining the academic environment. We’ve been fabricating bulletproof doors for decades, and have a high level of skill and capabilities when it comes to making bulletproof barriers match their environment.
Contact Bullet Guard to Help Secure Your School with Bulletproof Doors
When it comes to securing schools, you need to make sure you add the right protection at the right locations. Adding a few bulletproof doors may only provide a facade of protection if you miss a major point of vulnerability. This is why it’s important to work with an experienced ballistic security industry leader who can not only make the product you need, but provide insight into how to use it most effectively.
At Bullet Guard, we have almost 50 years of experience serving our community with ballistic barrier systems. We’ll put our knowledge to work for you, providing valuable advice on how to enhance your security while being mindful of educational budget constraints.
For specific recommendations for your school campus, or if you’d like to get a quote for your facility, reach out to us for more information.
