While glass windows are a staple feature of commercial buildings worldwide, they can put your business at risk of intrusions and privacy breaches. When you think of commercial and residential security, you often think of security alarms, locks, and even a guard dog. What many business owners need to realize is that there is a more effective and affordable option - 3M Security Window Film.
What is Security Window Film?
Security window film adds a shield of defence against commercial and home invasions caused by vandalism, accidental glass breakage, and protection from severe weather. This invisible polyester film shield protects your glass from shattering completely, drastically reducing both your chance of loss and injury due to broken glass.
How is Security Window Film Made?
Security window film is made of several laminated layers of polyester film, ranging in thickness from 4 mils to 15 mils and higher. The film is adhered to the window and reinforces it, making the glass more difficult to break and resistant to shattering and the resulting flying shards.
Depending on the thickness and quality of the film, the window security film can vary in strength. Some manufacturers produce thin and very strong film types at a higher price, while others offer a thicker layered film, which provides the same strength at a lower cost.
Does Security Window Film Work?
Security window film is highly effective at preventing break-ins and discouraging peeking into windows. Like automotive glass, the binding film prevents shattered glass and helps protect your commercial business.
The film can be tinted to give you complete privacy from the outside and full visibility from the inside; you don’t need to worry about your home or business being scoped.
Why Should I Install Security Window Film?
Window security film has many valuable benefits that make it an excellent investment. Glass windows are one of the weakest points in any building, so using security film to reinforce your windows is an effective way to improve the security of your home or business at an affordable price.
Shatterproof For Security
Security window film is perfect for defending your business by reinforcing the glass and rendering it shatterproof. Because the film adheres the glass together so firmly, it can delay entry through the windows for several minutes and discourage intruders from breaking in. And if the glass does manage to break, the film will hold the shards together and prevent shattering.
Not only does the window film application prevent an intruder from entering your building, but it can protect your business from lost inventory and assets caused by vandalism.
Privacy With Great Visibility
Security window films are designed to defend your building from being scoped out and protect your privacy, making it almost impossible to see inside. These window films also allow natural light into your residential or commercial building and don’t block your view.
Temperature Control and UV Protection
Tinted security window films are excellent for filtering harmful ultraviolet light and maintaining a comfortable temperature in your home or business. By blocking direct sunlight with commercial window tinting, buildings will be kept cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter. Harmful ultraviolet rays will also be blocked, preventing sun-causing skin cancer and fading and discoloration of furniture.
Protect Your Business
Security window film is crucial for securing your home or business and is proven effective at deterring forced entry. Because the windows are shatterproof and require significantly more force to break, prospective intruders may be discouraged from attempting a break-in and leaving your property alone.
It’s important to note that a residential break-in occurs every 90 seconds in Canada, with over 80% occurring during daylight hours. Not only are the majority of illegal entries made by amateur burglars who are not using sophisticated tools, but a window is one of the most common entry methods. Something as simple as security film can quickly deter an intruder for fear of getting caught.
These films can also offer significant protection against storms and natural disasters. Whether a tornado is flinging objects and debris in the wind or an earthquake causes windows to blow out, installing window security film is an effective way to keep objects out and prevent dangerous flying glass shards.
Security Window Film Vs. Bulletproof Glass
A common misconception about commercial window film is that it renders existing glass bulletproof. Unfortunately, this isn’t true. No film on the market can make glass bulletproof. There are alternatives available, however.
Bullet-resistant glass rated to your specific needs is a great way to protect your business. The only drawback is that bullet-resistant glass is much more expensive than security film and can cost hundreds of dollars per square foot.
Determining your home or business’s needs is crucial to balancing budget and security. While bulletproof glass is necessary in some cases, safety film is significantly more affordable, offers protection against forced entry, and can partially mitigate the impact of bullets or blasts.
How Much Does Security Window Film Cost?
The cost of security window film depends on multiple factors, including the film's type, thickness, and features. Thicker and larger films typically cost more due to the additional materials required to produce them. Layers that filter sunlight or UV rays can add to this cost.
Another factor is how labour-intensive it is to install the film. A divided window like a French pane window is significantly more expensive to install film on than a large, undivided window frame. Suppose work is required to access the window, such as moving furniture, removing the pre-existing film, or using equipment to reach the window. In that case, this can also contribute to a significantly higher cost.
Consult your local installation experts to estimate how much window security film will cost for your property. At Carbon Graphics Group, we will give you a price range tailored to your specific situation.
Why Choose 3M Security Window Film?
When investing in a product to keep your commercial or residential property safe, you must do your research. While there are many options for security film on the market, finding a product that is both affordable and highly effective can be challenging. 3M Security Window Film is not only cost-effective but has been created by the company that invented window laminate - so you know you’re purchasing a product that works!
This new dimension of affordable and effective security window film offers a choice of micro-layer technologies and basic polyester, with 3M manufacturing the entire product - from the adhesive to the UV inhibitors. They also provide a ten-year product warranty, which includes the labour cost for both removal and the replacement of the product.
Is Security Window Film Worth The Cost?
The upfront cost of installing safety window film pays back tenfold by offering heightened security, safety, and peace of mind. Safety security film is highly effective at strengthening windows, thus deterring potential intruders and protecting against damage from natural disasters.
You can choose from many types of window security film, each suited for specific circumstances or levels of security. Finding a film that matches your particular property and budget is easy. And with the help of a professional team, installing your new window security film and keeping your property protected is as simple as a phone call away.
