Every year there are hundreds of thousands of home and business break-ins in this country, with the average property loss in the thousands of dollars. There are many home alarm and camera safety and security systems on the market which can help minimize the impact of intruders, but many home and business owners do not put enough effort into prevention. Luckily there is an affordable and easy to install product that can be incorporated into any home defense system and maximizing safety: safety film and Security window film.
Much like a screen protector on a smart phone, security window film is a shatter resistant polyester or PET application meant to hold together a glass pane within a window frame which has been impacted, so that a shard of glass won't cause more damage to your home. This drastically slows down or even prevents potential break-ins but can also protect doors and windows from less nefarious sources like rowdy teenagers and golf balls. Films come in a variety of thicknesses from 2mm to 21mm, but need to be 8mm or above to be considered “Security” films. If they are less than 8mm they are considered “Safety” films and are more appropriate in applications where the main goal is to contain broken glass rather than prevent breakage altogether. Regardless of thickness the films are generally simple to install and last for years. Best of all they are virtually unnoticeable once in place, unless one opts for a decorative finish. Films can often be installed by the homeowner, but it is recommended that thicker products be installed professionally for your protection. Though there are many films available, for the best quality we recommend purchasing from one of these trusted manufacturers.
For easy comparison we will look specifically at 8mm and 12 mm thickness products sized to fit the average glass door, but all of the below films come in multiple sizes at corresponding price points. They all offer 90% visible light transmittance, so the average person would not notice any reduction in light. The reduced light may, however, lead to reduce energy costs in heating and cooling. They also block 99% of UV rays.
VViViD 8MIL Security Window Film
VViViD’s 8mm security film is scratch, impact, and heat resistant with a glossy finish. It can be used on any interior or exterior glass and has a wide number of applications beyond glass breakage, like severe weather impacts or smash and grab situations. It uses a rubber-based adhesive which adds to the impact resistance of the film by spreading the force of the impact across the entire panel, allowing the glass to withstand higher force than similar products. Though it is billed as a DIY installation for low skill level owners, reviews have noted some complications that can be mitigated by following one of the many online tutorials offered by other DIY’ers. Once installed the product has an average lifespan of 9-12 years.
BDF S8MC Window Film
The 8mm security film from BDF has unmatched optical clearness and is easily self installed with the proper instruction. If it ever needs to be removed it will leave behind no residue, but will last for many years when applied correctly. The top customer review for this product on Amazon is unfortunately someone who found out the hard way how well it works, but the good news is that it withstood a crowbar attack and kept the homeowner’s family safe and the house intrusion free. Though the homeowner’s glass did break and need to be replaced, using this film gave the alarm system time to bring the police and prevent further damage. There is no better review than the voice of experience.
Security Film 12 Mil (by Window Film and More)
For heavier duty impact resistance, consider the 12mm film by Window Film and More. This product is so strong that Homeland Security has actually spec’d it for bomb blast mitigation. It is consistently reviewed as a high quality product, though the installation can be a bit tricky. For those who have installed window film before or do not mind a few imperfections, this should not be a problem. If there is any concern, though, plenty of handymen and professionals are available to do the installation. Given the thickness it is recommended to use a new and very sharp blade to cut the film to size. If the installation does come out less than desirably, one could always add a thin decorative film over the top to make the glass attractive as well as fortified. Window Film and More has plenty of options to choose from, including textured and one-way mirrored films.
GordonGlass 12 Mil Security Window Film
GordonGlass specializes in both window films and tempered glass. This expertise has led to a high quality product that combines both technologies at a reasonable price. The GordonGlass 12 mil security window film is only slightly more costly than 8mm films by other companies, but is of high quality and lasts for years. If more film is needed it can be ordered in a continuous roll up to 50 feet. This film installation consistently gets high reviews for quality, so don’t let the price be a deterrence.
Installation notes:
All films had reviews from users who had trouble with film installation. There are many instructional videos from both the companies that sell these films as well as customers who have installed the products themselves successfully. Many of these film sellers offer installation kits that can be bundled into an order, and Gila makes a kit that can be purchased on its own, but those with experience often recommend making one’s own solution and using a flat object in place of a specialized squeegee.
For extra durability the film should be either installed with the glass out of the pane or caulking should be used to seal any gaps between the film’s edges and the frame. It is also worth noting that though car break-ins are arguably more prevalent than home or business intrusions, these products should never be put on automotive glass since they could keep the occupants from breaking out in case of an emergency.