No. 1 window armor for home defense
When we talk about home defense, windows are usually only a minor part of the discussion. After all, doors are used to break into homes far more often than are windows, which home invaders may view as too small or inconvenient to bother with. But if you’ve upgraded your doors and locks, your windows might become the next option for a would-be thief. Your windows may also be susceptible to wind, hail, golf balls, baseballs and a wide variety of other natural elements or man-made objects.
It might be time to start thinking about a cost-effective way to bolster your window security. Glass windows are brittle and can be dangerous when broken, but window film provides armor for these vulnerable spots in your house, with the ability to do everything from serving as shields against UV rays to protecting against projectiles and even bullets and explosives.
Take a look at this article providing information about five different types of window film, any of which would be a sound investment in your home and offer increased safety for you and your family:
http://www.offthegridnews.com/2012/05/19/window-film-could-this-home-defense-method-help-you/
Most of us don’t have to be too concerned with protecting our windows against hurricane-force winds, bullets or explosives. In my opinion, the Standard Safety window film is the best option for the average user. As the author says, it protects against a number of projectiles and possibly a crowbar, and at the very least will slow down a burglar. It’s also effective at containing glass fracturing.
But what do you think? Is window film necessary for the average home? If so, which option would you choose? What have been your experiences with window film? Let me hear from you.
Double-pane windows could heat up bigtime and void your warranty if you layer on a film, but if you do so only on the outside it should be OK, shouldn’t it? It would intercept some energy and what did get in to overheat the internal gas should be eliminated through the inside pane.
My husband and I just bought new windows for our whole house because we needed new windows. We bought security windows that have a layer of polyvinylbutaral in the glass. They were not cheap by a long shot but they will stand up to a baseball bat quite nicely. The same company offered a hurricane rated window that you could not shoot a 2×4 through, it had a steel reinforced frame. Thought about it to make a bedroom a safe room but it was too expensive for me. I was concerned that with window film the whole piece of glass would come in with enough force. These have the security glass set over an inch into the window frame. Main reason we bought them was energy savings. Got them from Sears.
I’m not worried about this little problem,i have lexan on all my windows as for the doors if you reinforce with box steel and use angle iron on door with stainless hinges you’ll find it will slow them dowm!*note i work at a jail as a service tech. it dosen’t hurt like my house when they see the two german shepards waiting for them! And yes virgina the most feared dog by inmates are german shepards
Shatter Gard security film. Amazon.com
This is real cool and looks interesting.
I will only need 1400 to 2000 Dollars to get the vehicle I need, I have a vehicle located
Besides being a good defense for your windows, wouldn’t this also be a way to protect your solar panels from hail damage?
Another way to protect access through windows is to drill a hole through the window frame and sash and place a nail in the hole. It can be easily removed to open the window, and an additional hole can be added to place the nail with a slightly opened window.
I agree with all the excellant qualities mentioned here. We use 10 mil film for reducing sound transmission in my studio designs, and we also used standard clear thickness’ for earthquake preparation, on windows which could fragment. Just a warning for thermal insulated glass users. Glass manufacturers will discontinue the warranty on some window systems, as the tint can build up heat in the system. Be sure to check with your supplier or window company.
Are there any companies in Georgia you could reccommend for any type of window film
treatment?
I have placed films on almost all my windows after reading an article in the Internet.. I don’t have the special film advertised but at any hardware store anyone can get a film. Some are thicker than others. I placed one film inside the window, opened the windows and I have overlapping window panes, again more film applied on the other side. The issue is to make it more difficult for anyone who throws a rock or whatever to break the glass. The glass will break but won’t separate immediately for which the individual will have to continue attempting to break in. How much strength will the film provide ? At least will give me a chance to grab a weapon to defend myself or get out of the house as fast as I can
No matter what kind of glass you have windows and doors are only as stong as window and door frames them selves.
IF SOMEONE WANTS N THEY WILL JUST KICK THE WINDOW OUT. THEY USE THIS FILM ON OLD AIRCRAFT WITHOUT PRESSUERIZED CABINS. A GOOD BLOW WITH A HAMMER WILL PUNCHER IT. BEST THING IS HAVE SOME PLYWOOD ON HAND AND DRY WALL SCREWS. I LIVE IN AN APARTMNET. WITH A BIG GLASS WINDOW, I HAVE A PIECE OF PLY WOOD LAYING AGAINST THE WALL JUST IN CASE. ONE WAY IN, ONLY. THATS MY FRONT DOOR AND I HAVE A STEAL 1/2″ PLATE TO USE FOR COVER IF ANTONE BREAKS MY DOOR DOWN. NICE BARREL HOLE TO SHOOT THROUGH. ARMED TO THE TEETH AND AN EX VIETNAM ARMY RANGER, RECON. JUST WON’T KNOW WHAT TO DO WITH ALL THE BODIES THAT COULD PILE UP !
Is your plywood bulletproof around your shooting hole?
Wish you were my neighbor…smiling
If you have the double-pane gas filled windows, I don’t believe you can put any of these protective films over these types of windows. If I am wrong, please let me know what type of film can go on these types of windows. The manufacturer told me when they were installed film wasn’t good for these windows. Perhaps there is a new type of film to remedy that issue.
Thanks for any info you can give me.
Frank
send information on window film
All you people complaining about not enough info. How about you do a little of your own research. Call any of your local window and glass businesses, I bet they all carry the films. I Googled window films and got thousands if hits. For a bunch of do-it-yourselfers and preppers you sure are a lazy bunch.
Do you have names of venders for these window films?
http://www.professionalplastics.com/LEXANXL10
put lexan on all windows last summer,3 windows a week not a deal breaker,fire dept came around and said it was a deturant for help in case of a fie,lots of luck,told them to hit the road
These films are a decent 2nd choice but best is to upgrade all your windows & doors to hurricane impact glass, and get a reliable licensed professional to do it AND pull a permit to ensure that the fastening was done properly! This glass can not be broken or kicked in and aides in energy efficiency. Saves $$ on HO ins. too. My neighbor is an ems fire guy and he concurred when in an emergency fire dept. can not get in to these windows & doors they must remove the entire structure. Doors should swing OUT not in to prevent them being blown or kicked in. Thanks to all for so many great tips. Good luck to us all.
http://solutions.3m.com/wps/portal/3M/en_US/Window_Film/Solutions/?utm_medium=cpc&WT.term=safety+window+film&utm_source=google&utm_campaign=Safety+%26+Security&WT.medium=cpc&WT.campaign=Safety+%26+Security&WT.srch=1&WT.content=text&WT.source=google&utm_content=&WT.mc_id=3MWindowFilms&utm_term=safety+window+film&cshift_ck=c21824fe-0b13-4f64-86a9-9fe04bff6423cs8oEGHIJp
NO NAMES OF MANUFACTURERS IS OF LITTLE HELP.
The article has no links to find out more about the actual products available. From what little information that is provided, it looks like the film blocks some light and heat from the sun. That may be okay for southern areas, but doesn’t look good for passive solar, where you want all of the heat and light you can get. Personally, I rely on regular mesh window screens to protect from hail, and plexiglass to keep the heat in during the colder months. As for would-be burglars, I think outside security cameras and lights would be a better deterrent and early warning system. During the heating season, which is more than half of the year, the plexiglass should offer protection from break-ins as well as heat loss.
maybe film would be a good temporary measure until you can afford lexan for each window
i think lexan is a better choice …do a window a month….the 16 trillion criminal debt is dragging our economy down….nobody sees the crime of government borrowing by selling despisable bonds..when treasury admits they are arithmetically unable to redeem u s treasury bonds plus interest and the dollar becomes worthless …zombies will rampage for food ….water ….loot …your life …
No luck finding a dealer here in the mountains of Maryland. How about some web site info on dealers/distributors?
Please send me furthee information. Is this product available in the UK, or can it be sent there?
Julia
Make sure your window manufacture will honor the warranty on your window if a window film is applied.
send me information S.B.