Think impact glass is the same as bullet-resistant security glass? Think again.
Impact glass is designed to withstand hurricane-force winds. It’s commonly used in areas prone to hurricanes, such as South Carolina, Florida, Texas, and Louisiana. Also known as hurricane impact windows, this type of glass is engineered to handle the impact of airborne debris, like tree branches, bicycles, fencing, or even a grill.
While impact glass is a type of security glass, it does not provide protection against all threats. Bulletproof and bullet-resistant glass is specifically designed to withstand the tremendous force of gunfire, offering a different type and layer of protection than impact glass.
In this article, we’ll explore the various glass options available and debunk common myths surrounding protective glass products.
MYTH: Impact resistant glass is the same as bullet-resistant glass.
No, impact glass does not offer the same type of protection as bullet-resistant laminated glass. Impact glass is designed to withstand strong forces from large, blunt objects, wind, water, and other extreme weather forces. On the other hand, bullet-resistant laminate is engineered to absorb and disperse energy from firearms, break-ins, and riot assaults. Therefore, protective glass laminates offer a higher level of security against prolonged and direct attacks.
What is the difference between Hurricane Impact glass and Bullet-Resistant glass?
Hurricane glass is made by using two pieces of heat-strengthened glass with a layer of PVB (polyvinyl butyral) in the middle. PVB is made of plastic (hence, “poly”) and bonds very well to glass, but the most important property of PVB is that, when the glass shatters, the glass adheres to the PVB. This is what makes “safety glass” relevant — it keeps the broken glass contained. However, impact glass is only engineered (and tested) to protect against extreme wind, air pressure, and giant flying debris. It is not immune from the impact of a bullet or repeated and prolonged direct assault.
Bullet-resistant security glass, a testament to resilience, is also made from multiple layers of strengthened glass and PVB. The key difference lies in the added air gap and a layer of polycarbonate, which provides the bulletproofing. This design can withstand all small handguns (such as a 9mm) and is the highest level of burglary and anti-fraction, instilling confidence in its protective capabilities.
Why is It Called Hurricane and/or Impact Glass?
Hurricane impact windows undergo multiple rounds of testing that simulate the “impacts” of extreme weather events. This is why they’re called “impact glass,” as this name can quickly communicate their purpose to consumers.
Hurricane-resistant impact glass testing includes:
- Lumber projectiles (simulating large debris carried by hurricane-force winds)
- Steel balls (simulating smaller debris like roof gravel)
- Pressure cycling (simulating varying air pressure)
- Water infiltration
They must pass air and missile tests to ensure that the window stays in one piece upon impact—it can crack and splinter, but it cannot break apart. Other types of glass will not be able to accomplish this—annealed glass will crack into large shards, and both heat-strengthened and tempered glass will shatter. This is where the layer of PVB is essential.
It’s important to note that impact glass is designed to protect against severe weather events, not targeted human activity. This distinction is crucial for homeowners and construction professionals to understand when considering their safety requirements.
To protect against targeted human threats, you should explore the various types of glass armor available.
MYTH: Hurricane window glass is easy to install.
Hurricane-resistant impact glass requires specialized window installation — or window glazing. Any window installation will need a team of experienced professionals. Hurricane window installation (or window glazing) is not a separate component simply added to the existing panes of glass (i.e., not like a glazed donut). It is a complete replacement of the current windows.
The glazing (impact glass) must be secured into an impact-rated frame to support the glass properly. The frame must also be sturdy and robust enough to hold the bulk and weight of hurricane-impact windows. A professional can do this safely and correctly.
Building Codes and Construction Ordinances
Because of specific building codes and quality standards, impact glass requires professional glazing (installation). For example, to meet Florida building codes, impact glass must withstand impact from a 9-pound 2×4 lumber “missile” traveling at 50 feet per second.
In short, never attempt to install impact glass yourself. Always hire professional glazers to install hurricane-resistant windows and doors. Hiring the experts ensures that your new impact-rated windows are industry standard.
MYTH: Hurricane Impact glass cannot break.
No, impact glass is not unbreakable. As described before, the goal of hurricane glass is to stay in one piece even if it cracks or splinters. The PVB layer is critical; it keeps all the pieces together.
Impact glass, while designed to withstand severe weather and storm debris, is not impervious to all threats. It’s important to be aware that it can still break when hit with a threat that it is not designed for, such as repeated strikes from a hammer, an axe, a drill, or gunfire.
Enhancing Hurricane Impact Windows
In South Florida, southeastern Oklahoma, and other regions prone to tropical storms and severe weather, installing impact glass with bullet-resistant laminate on top of it is not unusual.
Bullet-resistant laminate offers additional protection from bullets, forced entry, and riots. Furthermore, if a severe weather event breaks the glass, the laminate holds the glass together, preventing the broken window from creating shards that can harm those inside.
Myth: Only commercial facilities need Impact Glass or Bullet-Resistant glass.
This is false. Homes and other residential buildings, especially in disaster-prone regions, should protect their property, valuables, and loved ones from the impact of severe weather. Hurricane Glass is a worthwhile investment for families, landlords, and small business owners.
Anywhere that people gather, work, or share a space should invest in bullet-resistant glass or glass laminate. This applies to houses of worship, schools, offices, government buildings, and even some residential homes.
Fortunately, there are alternatives to these costly and time-consuming renovations: bullet-resistant glass laminates. With providers like Clear-Armor, multiple protection levels are available based on your level of risk and building type.
Myth: An open window will help prevent other windows from breaking.
This is a myth that is common in hurricane and tornado-prone areas. This faulty logic suggests that an open window or door will “equalize” the air pressure and reduce the likelihood of your windows or building glass breaking. In reality, opening glass windows can make things worse. Wind that enters through open glass windows can create strong upward pressure on the roof, potentially causing it to lift off. It also allows rain, debris, and wind to enter your home, causing interior damage and possible injury.
While air pressure can harm glass during a severe storm, it’s not the primary threat. Highspeed winds, airborne projectiles, and flying debris will be the most significant danger.
Myth: Hurricane Impact glass and Bullet Resistant glass will ruin the structural integrity of my home.
When installed correctly, windows should not cause structural damage to your home. However, it’s important to note that renovations may be necessary. Standard residential glass windows are lighter and require less support than impact glass, so the existing frame may not be able to bear the weight of heavier hurricane glass. In such cases, it’s crucial to consult a professional window installer who can accurately assess whether the frame needs to be upgraded to support a hurricane-impact window.
The same is especially true for traditional bulletproof glass, which is exceptionally bulky and heavy. Older commercial buildings, for example, will most likely need to upgrade their window frames to support the weight and size of bulletproof glass.
Most residential homes cannot accommodate the weight and bulk of bulletproof glass. There are bullet-resistant alternatives that are suitable for homes and smaller dwellings.
Fortunately, bullet-resistant laminates are an option that don’t affect a building’s structure or require replacing your standard glass windows or frame; the laminate is simply applied to the existing glass. This means that laminates do not require any additional renovations or frame replacement. Clear-Armor’s glass laminates are custom-cut and retrofitted over existing glass, saving time, money, and disruption.
Myth: I have to choose between Impact Resistant windows and Bullet-Resistant glass.
You can accomplish both levels of protection without having both products!
Many clients opt for both levels of protection, especially if they live in hurricane zones.
Impact-resistant windows with severe weather glass are less likely to break or become compromised during a hurricane. Again, they protect against high winds, air pressure variances, and projectile objects. Even though people may call this “safety glass,” it won’t protect against human threats like prolonged riot assaults and gunfire. But bullet-resistant glass’s multiple glass layers, PVB, and additional polycarbonate layer make this type of safety glass also impact-resistant, i.e., able to stand up to extreme weather forces.
It’s important to note that both of these solutions, while effective, do come with a significant cost and may necessitate time-consuming renovations and disruptions to your home or business’s daily operations.
Is it Possible to have the Best of Both Worlds?
If you already have severe weather glass, you can have bullet-resistant laminate installed on top. Not only will this provide resistance against bullets, break-ins, and small blasts, but it will also prevent your impact windows from shattering into dangerous shards. Remember, even though impact windows are designed to minimize the likelihood of breaking, they can still break in the right circumstances.
With bullet-resistant laminate, you can also protect against storm debris. The polymers and adhesives in glass laminates can reduce the impact of debris, ensuring that even if the glass breaks, it won’t shatter into dangerous pieces. This comprehensive protection, when coupled with traditional glass, instills confidence in the safety of your offices, churches, schools, and various other facilities.
Myth: Installing Hurricane Windows eliminates the need for other hurricane preparations.
Protecting your windows and doors is just a component of hurricane preparation.
For example, having an emergency kit on hand is also essential. Aside from a first-aid supply, this includes several days worth of water and food. It’s also a good idea to have flashlights and extra batteries. To charge electronic devices in the event of a power outage, it’s a good idea to invest in rechargeable battery packs.
Regardless of whether you have storm windows and hurricane impact doors, it’s crucial to heed evacuation orders from authorities. While these protective measures can help during a storm, the aftermath of a hurricane can be just as perilous. Power outages can disrupt water supplies, and rescue crews often have a large area to cover. Therefore, it’s always best to take the extra precaution of evacuating when advised.
Myth: Hurricane Resistant window glass has no other benefits.
Impact glass offers many benefits beyond added protection from storms. Many types also offer improved insulation, helping to reduce energy costs during high temperatures. Because it’s glass on glass with a liner between the two pieces, the layering creates a thicker sheet that can block sunlight and heat and improve energy efficiency.
Furthermore, this thickness can help reduce outside noise from leaking into the building. While it’s not soundproof by any means, the thickness of the glass makes it harder for sound waves to travel inside.
Bullet-resistant laminates also offer up to 99% UV protection. Total solar energy rejected measures 18%, contributing to energy efficiency.
Myth: Bullet-resistant laminate is just as difficult to install as hurricane impact windows and doors.
At Clear-Armor, we make installing bullet-resistant laminate on your facility as easy as possible. We assess your property, take the necessary measurements, and custom-cut each piece of laminate for your windows and glass. Then, our installation team efficiently installs our world-patented protective laminate on top of your existing glass.
Our team works discreetly, ensuring we refrain from drawing attention to your new level of protection. We also work quickly to protect the glass. Many of our clients are government facilities, schools, commercial buildings, retail stores, financial institutions, healthcare facilities, and places of worship. So, we understand the need to work quickly without disrupting your regular activities.
Our glass laminates are rigorously tested, which you can learn about here.
Bullet-resistant laminate protects against human threats and can provide additional security in a severe weather event. To learn more about how Clear-Armor can protect your property, we encourage you to book a consultation today.
