Security film vs bulletproof glass?

The choice between security film and bulletproof glass depends on your specific security goals and budget. Security film is a cost-effective retrofit that is applied to existing glass. Its primary purpose is to hold glass together when it breaks, preventing shards from causing injury and creating a delay for an intruder trying to smash their way in. However, it will not stop a bullet. Bulletproof glass, on the other hand, is a much thicker, multi-layered product engineered specifically to stop high-velocity projectiles. It is significantly more expensive and often requires new, heavy-duty framing to support its weight. While security film is great for deterring 'smash-and-grab' crimes and improving safety during natural disasters, it is not a life-safety solution for active shooter scenarios. Bulletproof glass is the standard for high-threat environments like banks, government buildings, and high-risk residential properties. For many businesses, a middle-ground solution like Riot Glass offers the best balance—providing the forced-entry resistance of a ballistic system but at a lower price point and with the ability to retrofit over existing windows. Ultimately, security film is for 'delay,' while bulletproof glass is for 'stopping power.'