Bullet Resistant Glass Windows Comparison
PSL offers a wide variety of bullet resistant glass windows comprised of several various types of bullet resistant transparent materials. PSL’s window options are dependent upon various factors, including threat level, window location, size and application. Each bullet resistant transparency has its own unique strengths; PSL will help you determine which material will work best for each situation.
Interior bullet resistant glass windows are normally manufactured using bullet resistant plastics. Bullet resistant acrylic, with polished edges, is crystal clear. Acrylic can be cut, shaped, notched, drilled and fastened, giving the customer a multitude of options when deciding on a bullet resistant glass window. Bullet resistant acrylic is available in abrasion resistant (AR) or non-abrasion resistant (Non-AR). AR acrylic has a coating which makes the finish less susceptible to scratches from cleaning. Non-AR acrylic does not have this scratch resistant coating but offers equal protection and is more affordable. Bullet resistant acrylic is a popular choice for bullet resistant glass windows due to its pricing and to its various functional possibilities. Bullet resistant acrylic, unlike polycarbonate, is a spalling and ricochet material, but it will not shatter into dangerously small pieces as would glass.
Bullet resistant glass windows are often manufactured using bullet resistant polycarbonate. Polycarbonate, itself, is not bullet resistant until laminated in layers. Bullet resistant polycarbonate is ideal for bullet resistant glass windows, like acrylic, due to the multitude of options in design and application. One key advantage of bullet resistant polycarbonate is that it encaptures the bullet instead of deflecting it, making it a no-spall, non-ricochet product ideal for lobbies or areas open to the public. Unlike acrylic, all bullet resistant polycarbonate have an abrasion resistant coating on the outside sheets. Polycarbonate can also be laminated with glass, as described below.
Exterior bullet resistant glass windows can be fabricated using bullet resistant laminated glass or bullet resistant glass clad polycarbonate. While plastics products can be cut, shaped, and fastened, this is not true of glass products. Bullet resistant glass is harder than plastic and can be easily cleaned, but it must be ordered to size and options given by using a plastic product are limited. Laminated glass products are made by layering glass and gluing the layers together, while glass clad polycarbonate is glass laminated with polycarbonate. While laminated glass is a spalling and ricochet product, bullet resistant glass clad polycarbonate is offered in the no-spall variety, with glass laminated only on the threat side of the polycarbonate, and low-spall, with glass laminated to both sides of the polycarbonate. Whatever the application, PSL has a bullet resistant glass window to meet your requirements.
