WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN BULLET RESISTANT AND BULLET PROOF GLASS?

When it comes to choosing glass for your business, whether you are choosing transaction windows or just normal windows, you want to keep security in mind. You want to keep both you and your employees safe during the workday and your assets safe at night when you are away. So, which should you choose, bullet resistant or bullet proof windows?

In fact, the use of the phrase ‘bullet proof windows’ is a misnomer and does not actually exist. There are varying levels of bullet resistance for windows determined by the type and thickness of material used, but there is no solution that is completely impermeable to penetration or remains unchanged regardless of the weapon, amount of ammo or force used. For example, while there are certain levels of bullet resistance for windows that are strong enough to withstand a shot from an AK-47 assault rifle but if the glass is fired at repeatedly, it will eventually be penetrated. Bullet resistant glass is effective and can help protect those on the inside when simply shot at once or twice, but there is no such thing as indestructible glass, which the term “bullet proof” implies.

At Wallkingdon Glass, we provide our customers with high-quality transaction windows, security drawers, and pass-thru systems that can help their business thrive. Some of our products are made with bullet resistant glass or come with the options of bullet resistant glass, allowing you to choose the safest option for your business and employees.

What Makes Glass Bullet Resistant?

If you were to shoot at a normal sheet of glass, it would shatter. So what makes bullet resistant glass stronger and more durable than regular glass? Bullet resistant glass is made with different layers and materials that provide its bullet resistant properties. These different layers are covered in safety films to help prevent spalling, or the glass from shattering into smaller pieces.

There are three main types of bullet resistant glass, which are, in fact, not made with actual glass. These bullet resistant materials include:

· Acrylic: This is a hard, thick piece of plastic that resembles glass and is bullet-resistant on its own, as long as it is over an inch thick. Acrylic is actually stronger, more impact resistant, and weighs less than glass, which are some of the benefits of this type of bullet resistant window. This type of bullet resistant glass, which actually contains no glass, is mostly used indoors. Acrylic works as bullet resistant glass by repelling bullets.

· Polycarbonate: This is a soft and versatile plastic that is extremely strong and easy to work with. It is lighter than both glass and acrylic, which makes its a great option for bullet resistant glass, especially when working to create a thicker bullet resistant product. This type of bullet resistant glass includes layers that give it the bullet resistant properties. Polycarbonate is often used to create a more durable, thicker, and higher-rated bullet resistant glass with layers that include mar-resistant polycarbonate, polyurethane, and acrylic. While acrylic repels bullets, polycarbonate bullet resistant glass absorbs the energy from the bullet and catches it, preventing it from exiting the other side.

· Glass-Clad Polycarbonate: Glass-clad polycarbonate uses a combination of materials and layers to create a bullet resistant product. There are several ways to make glass-clad polycarbonate, though each includes polycarbonate material, as well as ordinary glass. With one of the methods, the layers include polycarbonate, PVB film, and glass. This type of bullet resistant glass can be made to be more durable and thicker than the other options.

These are the main types of bullet resistant glass but there are other materials that can be used to create these strong and durable glass products. What material the glass is made with and the thickness will determine the level of bullet resistant glass you will have. 

What You Should Know About Bullet Resistant Glass

There are a few more things that you should know about bullet resistant glass in order to properly understand its purpose and what it is and is not meant to do. When you fully understand bullet resistant glass, you will be able to better determine which level of bullet resistant glass you will need for your project (which we will also go over in a future blog).

Here are a few more things you should know about bullet resistant glass:

· It is created to be asymmetrical. This means that they are designed with a specific threat side and a protection side.

· It is not only meant to stop a threat but also designed to prevent spalling on the inside, or the shattering of glass, which goes hand-in-hand with the asymmetrical design.

· It protects against ballistic attacks that are short and at or below a certain level.

· It is not bullet proof or security glass.

· It is not rated by thickness alone, nor is it rated by the weapon only, it also takes into account the specific ammunition.

Hopefully, you learned a thing or two about bullet resistant glass, including the fact that bullet proof glass does not actually exist. If you need transaction windows with bullet resistant glass, be sure to shop through our huge collection. We have a full line of sliding windows, ticket windows, baffle windows and combination windows with transaction drawers that are available with the option of bullet resistance to serve any and all of your security window needs. Wallkingdon Glass has the pass-thru systems you need for your business. Contact us today to learn more!

Supplier of Bullet Resistant Glass In China

Wallkingdon Glass offers not only one of the broadest selections of architectural, decorative, and specialty glass, but we also offer services that allow our clients to do more with glass. If you want to get high quality glass and the cost effective solutions while keeping quality to highest level, send an email to enquiry@wallkingdonglass.com, we will have the valuable input and creativity of glass design experts to help you.