Installing residential security window film is one of the most cost-effective ways to improve the safety and security of your home and loved ones.
Security window film is designed to reinforce glass surfaces and protect them against a full range of security threats, including forced entry, flying storm debris, stray golf balls, and everything in between.
How Residential Security Window Film Works
Security window film consists of hundreds of microscopically thin layers of impact-resistant poly-based plastic compounds.
Like all types of window film, security film gets applied directly onto your existing glass surfaces, either outside, inside, or on both sides of the glass.
The primary function of this window film is to hold pieces of broken glass in place when a protected window or door gets shattered by some type of impact.
This protects your home, belongings, and family from whatever caused the impact and reduces the risk of glass hazards by preventing sharp, jagged shards of glass from flying dangerously inwards.
It’s important to note that, although residential security window film does reinforce your glass, it is not designed to prevent glass from breaking (for this there’s polycarbonate or glass-clad polycarbonate security glazing).
Residential security window film provides protection against:
- Forced entry and burglary
- Storm damage (flying storm debris)
- Other inclement weather and natural disasters
- Vandalism
- Accidents
Using residential security window film as a forced entry and burglary deterrent
The top reason many homeowners decide to install security window film is to help deter break-ins.
As you now know, security film won’t prevent a determined intruder from breaking a window using a hammer, a pry bar, or another common burglary tool, but it can hold the broken glass in place for several minutes to delay forced entry.
This delay can be enough to cause would-be intruders to move on and look for an easier target.
Or, if the delay to entry doesn’t discourage a criminal’s forced entry attempt, it buys time for anyone inside to react and gives the authorities more time to arrive and catch the perpetrator in the act.
As with any type of security technology, you should never rely solely on security film to protect your home against forced entry and burglary.
But, when used as part of a comprehensive residential security system, such as burglary alarms, glass break detectors, surveillance cameras, and motion sensing lighting, security window film is an effective way to help prevent property crime.
Using residential security window film for storm damage mitigation
The second biggest reason to apply residential security window film is to help mitigate the threat of storm damage.
Security window film is not a suitable alternative to hurricane shutters, storm panels, or impact windows in hurricane zones, but it is a good solution for homeowners who want to protect their windows from unexpected strong windstorms and other inclement weather.
If a piece of flying storm debris impacts a standard residential window, you don’t only have to worry about replacing a broken window — there’s also a high possibility that the broken glass can fly inwards at high velocity and cause serious injury to someone nearby on the other side.
Plus, if a piece of debris breaks out a window altogether, or even just creates a hole in it, your home is now exposed to further storm damage from heavy rains and strong winds.
Security window film for homes solves these problems by holding any broken windows in place during a storm, so nobody gets hurt and you don’t have to worry about even more expensive repairs and cleanup.
Other reasons to secure your residence with window film
Besides the two major use cases discussed above, security film also protects your home against unexpected accidents.
For example, let’s say you own a luxury home that backs onto a golf course, or maybe your property is located near a baseball field — in these cases, security film protects your windows against errant golf balls or baseballs.
It would still be possible for a stray ball to crack a window, but it wouldn’t be likely for the ball to penetrate the window, so there’s less risk of injury due to flying glass shards or the ball itself.
FAQs About Securing Properties with Residential Security Film
Does security window film alter the appearance of windows?
Security film is completely clear, so it won’t noticeably change the appearance of your windows.
Nor does security film block out significant amounts of natural light or reduce visibility through your windows — so you can continue to enjoy all the benefits of your home’s windows, while knowing that they’re more secure than before!
Does security film improve the energy efficiency of windows?
Security window film is not designed to improve your windows’ energy efficiency. For this, what you want is low-emissivity (low-e) window film.
Does security window film provide UV protection?
Yes! Security films can block out up to 99.9% of the sun’s harmful UV rays (that cause furnishings to fade and that can damage your skin).
Can you combine security window film with other window films?
Since window film can be applied to both surfaces of your windows, you can combine security film with another type of window film to achieve the appearance and benefits you want.
For instance, if you want to add daytime privacy to certain windows, you could combine security film with tinted or reflective window film, creating a two-way mirror effect when the light outside is brighter than that inside.
Or, you could apply sun control window film or low-e window film to improve indoor comfort, boost the energy efficiency of your windows, and reduce your monthly utility bills. Whatever your goals are, we can help you choose the right film to achieve them.
Campbell Window Film, LLC specializes in securing high-end residential properties with Riot Glass Security Window Film. We also offer a full range of other window films for both residential and commercial properties. Contact us today for a free consultation.
