Article Highlights
- Security window film helps hold broken glass together. It is applied to the inside of windows to reduce shattering and make forced entry more difficult.
- Window film is different from window tinting. Tinting mainly changes glare, colour or privacy, while security film is designed to improve safety and glass strength.
- Security window film can reduce injury risks. Holding glass fragments together can help protect people from flying shards during impact or severe weather.
- Security benefits come from added resistance. Smash-resistant film can slow down intruders and make it harder to break through windows quickly.
- Energy and UV protection are extra benefits. Security film can help reduce UV exposure, support privacy and improve comfort during Perth’s hot summers.
There are so many different security products out there that it sometimes becomes difficult to differentiate among the assorted brands, makes, and models. We often get asked by our Perth customers about security window film and how this differs from other products, such as window tinting. So here is a simple explanation of the two, and how security window film can benefit your home or commercial residence:
Window Tinting
Window tinting is very common in cars and commercial buildings. It changes the shade and/or colour of the window. The primary reason is to block out glare and stop people from seeing into the vehicle or building from the outside (common in office buildings with mirrored tinting on the outside).
Security Window Film
This is an invisible layer of film applied to the inside of windows, designed to hold glass fragments together so the glass doesn’t shatter. This prevents glass shards from flying around and makes it more difficult for intruders to gain entry.
Main benefits of security window film:
Safety
The film stops the glass from shattering to avoid injuries. This is especially useful for large areas of glass, such as the front of shop windows. If these windows were to shatter, the small airborne shards could become very dangerous.
The film is designed to withstand heavy impact and to prevent fragmentation of these dangerous glass shards during severe weather conditions, such as cyclones. Keeping the broken glass together prevents debris from flying through the windows, which is invaluable during severe weather. Paired with cyclone security screens, this is the best protection for homes and commercial buildings during heavy winds.
Security
As mentioned, the film is smash-resistant, which also helps prevent intruders from gaining entry. It would take a long time to smash through the glass and film to gain entry, which makes it an excellent choice for preventing burglaries.
Energy Saving
The window film also offers intense UV ray protection. Given Perth’s harsh summer climate, this is an excellent choice to significantly reduce cooling bills in summer, while also helping retain heat in winter. UV filtering also helps extend the lifespan of indoor furniture and other furnishings, such as carpets and wall art. You can also select a darker film to add an extra level of privacy to the street-front or high-traffic-area windows.
Central Screens & Locks offers the 3M Impact Protection System, which combines the tough 3M Security Window Film with 3M Impact Protection Adhesive to secure the window film to the frame. This creates much stronger protection by holding the film in place during heavy impact.
3M is a market leader in this adhesive technology, so you can be assured of the highest standards, backed by a 10-year warranty. 3M are renowned worldwide for its innovative technology and continuous improvements.
If you are still not sure whether security window film is right for you, speak to one of our Perth security experts, who can talk you through your options – call us today for an obligation-free consultation, measure and quote!
