Burglars traditionally don’t like to break glass because it makes too much noise, but you can’t expect every prowler to stand on tradition. If a window can’t be forced open, intruders have been known to stick tape to a pane, break it, and quietly pull away the pieces to create an opening.
To improve the security of your windows, consider replacing the standard glass in your home’s most vulnerable windows with security glazing. Alternatives to ordinary window glass fall into four categories:
To improve the security of your windows, consider replacing the standard glass in your home’s most vulnerable windows with security glazing. Alternatives to ordinary window glass fall into four categories:
Wire Glass
Wire glass has wire mesh embedded in it. It breaks easily, but the wire holds much of the shards in place and impedes entry. It’s typically used in industrial applications, but often is a good choice for basement and garage windows.
Wire glass has wire mesh embedded in it. It breaks easily, but the wire holds much of the shards in place and impedes entry. It’s typically used in industrial applications, but often is a good choice for basement and garage windows.
Tempered Glass
Tempered glass is several times stronger than ordinary glass, but it will break if enough force is applied. It’s commonly used in storefront windows.
Plastic Glazing
Plastic glazing is often UL and/or ULC listed for resistance to blows that would shatter and destroy ordinary glass. The most common types are acrylic (such as Plexiglass) or polycarbonate (Lexan). Acrylic can deflect a thrown rock, but will break if hit with a hammer. Polycarbonate, which can cost twice as much, is virtually indestructible. It resists heat, flames, extreme cold, hammers, picks, and axes. Both types of plastic glazing cost and weigh less than laminated glass, but are more easily scratched and defaced. They also yellow from exposure to sunlight.
Installation procedures are much the same as for glass, but ordinary glazing compound can’t stand up to plastic’s greater rate of expansion and contraction. Instead, use the more elastic silicone base glazing compound.
Laminated Glass
Laminated glass, the type used in car windows, consists of two layers of glass bonded to plastic between them. The glass will shatter into fragments, but these usually adhere to the plastic instead of falling out of the frame. Laminated glass is costly, heavy, and much thicker than other materials. It has special installation requirements, so you’ll need to have a professional install it.
Tempered glass is several times stronger than ordinary glass, but it will break if enough force is applied. It’s commonly used in storefront windows.
Plastic Glazing
Plastic glazing is often UL and/or ULC listed for resistance to blows that would shatter and destroy ordinary glass. The most common types are acrylic (such as Plexiglass) or polycarbonate (Lexan). Acrylic can deflect a thrown rock, but will break if hit with a hammer. Polycarbonate, which can cost twice as much, is virtually indestructible. It resists heat, flames, extreme cold, hammers, picks, and axes. Both types of plastic glazing cost and weigh less than laminated glass, but are more easily scratched and defaced. They also yellow from exposure to sunlight.
Installation procedures are much the same as for glass, but ordinary glazing compound can’t stand up to plastic’s greater rate of expansion and contraction. Instead, use the more elastic silicone base glazing compound.
Laminated Glass
Laminated glass, the type used in car windows, consists of two layers of glass bonded to plastic between them. The glass will shatter into fragments, but these usually adhere to the plastic instead of falling out of the frame. Laminated glass is costly, heavy, and much thicker than other materials. It has special installation requirements, so you’ll need to have a professional install it.
Alternatives To Window Glass To Deter Burglars:
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