For retailers and other business owners, safeguarding property and merchandise against different forms of theft is a top priority.
With the rise of brazen smash-and-grab thefts, where criminals break through storefront windows or display cases to quickly steal valuables, finding new ways to reinforce commercial glass is essential.
This is especially true because many criminals no longer seem to care about people seeing them perpetrate a smash-and-grab — they’ll do it in broad daylight, right in front of a store’s employees and customers.
After-hours storefront protection solutions, like roll-down shutters and security gates, while effective at preventing nighttime burglary, do nothing to prevent smash-and-grab theft during business hours.
As a result, many business owners are seeking additional commercial glass security solutions to protect their establishments and merchandise 24/7. One option for doing this that you may hear discussed is anti-smash-and-grab window film, but does such a thing exist?
The Reality of Anti-Smash-and-Grab Window Film
Despite what the name might suggest, no window film can fully prevent smash-and-grab thefts.
It’s important for business owners to understand that window films, while offering certain benefits, cannot entirely stop a determined thief from breaking through glass.
However, specific types of safety and security window films can play a crucial role in delaying and deterring these thefts.
How Security Window Films Work
Security window films are designed to hold broken shards of glass in place after an impact. This characteristic makes it significantly harder for criminals to quickly shatter windows and gain access to the inside of a store.
While anti-smash-and-grab window film does not prevent the glass from breaking, it makes the process more time-consuming and noisy, which can be a deterrent.
These security window films are made from thick, multi-layered polyester materials that are applied to the interior surface of the glass. When properly installed, they enhance the glass's resilience, making it more challenging to penetrate.
This delay can be critical in deterring thieves who rely on speed and surprise to carry out their smash-and-grab crimes.
Benefits of Security Window Film for Businesses
Delay and Deterrence
The primary benefit of security window film is the additional time it buys during an attempted break-in. Criminals typically look for quick and easy targets, and the added effort required to breach a window or display case protected by security film can discourage them from continuing the attempt.
Safety for Occupants
In the event of a forced entry attempt or other impacts, security window film holds shattered glass together, reducing the risk of injury to employees and customers. This added safety is particularly important in commercial environments with high foot traffic.
Cost-Effective Solution
Compared to more extensive commercial glass security upgrades, window film is a relatively affordable option. It can be quickly applied to existing commercial glass surfaces without the need for complete window replacements, making it a very cost-effective way to enhance security.
Additional Threat Protection
Beyond deterring smash-and-grab thefts, security films can also protect against other forms of impact, such as accidents, natural disasters, or vandalism. This versatility adds to the overall value of the investment.
Limitations of Security Window Film
While anti-smash-and-grab security window film offers valuable benefits, it's important to acknowledge its limitations. The film can delay entry, but it cannot completely prevent a determined intruder from breaking through a window or display case.
Given enough time and with enough effort, most criminals can breach even the most robust window films. Therefore, it’s essential for business owners to consider security film as a complementary part of a comprehensive security strategy, rather than a standalone solution.
The Ultimate Solution: Forced Entry-Resistant Security Glazing
For business owners seeking the highest level of protection against smash-and-grab thefts, retrofitting commercial glass with forced entry-resistant security glazing, such as Riot Glass, is the ultimate solution.
Riot Glass is engineered to withstand extreme force and impact, making it far superior to any type of smash-and-grab window film.
What Makes Riot Glass Different?
Riot Glass security glazing solutions incorporate advanced polycarbonate and glass-clad polycarbonate technology. This unique composition creates an incredibly strong and durable barrier that is virtually unbreakable in many instances.
Here are some key features that set Riot Glass apart:
Superior Strength
Unlike window films that can only hold broken glass together, Riot Glass resists shattering altogether. This prevents intruders from creating any opening through which they can access the premises — they’re not even getting a hand through Riot Glass!
Long-Lasting Durability
Riot Glass is designed to endure repeated impacts without significantly diminishing in strength or compromising its integrity. This durability ensures long-term protection for commercial properties, even when faced with high-stress scenarios like determined forced entry attempts or rioting and looting.
Comprehensive Security
Riot Glass provides a high level of protection not only against smash-and-grab thefts, but also against burglary, vandalism, rioting and looting, and even ballistic attacks in certain configurations. This comprehensive security makes it an ideal choice for businesses in high-risk areas or with high perceived threat levels.
The Cost and Installation of Riot Glass
While Riot Glass represents a significant investment compared to smash-and-grab window films, its unmatched protection justifies the expense for many businesses.
Riot Glass can be retrofitted over existing glass surfaces or used to replace the existing glazing, allowing it to be seamlessly integrated into most commercial window, door, and display case systems. Being a retrofittable solution, Riot Glass is more cost-effective than comparable security glazing solutions on the market.
Conclusion
In order to protect commercial properties from smash-and-grab thefts, it’s important to understand the capabilities and limitations of all the available security solutions.
While no window film can fully prevent these types of thefts, certain safety and security window films can significantly delay and deter criminals, making them a valuable part of a broader security strategy when budget is a concern.
For those seeking the highest level of protection, retrofitting windows with forced entry-resistant security glazing like Riot Glass offers the ultimate defense.
By strategically combining the use of security window films with advanced security glazing, business owners can create formidable barriers against smash-and-grab thefts, ensuring the safety and security of their property and merchandise.
Campbell Glass and Films offers a full range of security window films and security glazing solutions. Contact us today for a free consultation.
