Security films are thicker & stronger than safety films. Generally, the minimum thickness for a security film is 4 mils. The most common security films in use today are in the 4 mil to 10 mil range, although they are commonly available up to 15 mils.
Security films are capable of protecting against much more violent circumstances like burglaries and terrorist bombings that safety films cannot.
Security films are not bullet-proof nor are they a guarantee of absolute security. If someone is determined, they will get in. If the bomb is large enough or close enough, it will do damage, but the odds of keeping out a burglar or surviving an explosion are greatly enhanced by applying a thick, strong layer of security film to your glass.
Installing solar film on your windows will increase window glass safety. Since you have essentially just glued a piece of plastic to your glass, it will hold the glass in place and protect against injury from broken glass…to a point. Most solar window films are not considered safety films, but they do add a measure of safety to the glass.
For any film to be considered a safety film, it must pass basic impact testing that all safety glazing materials must pass.
The most common of these tests is a simple “ball drop” test. In the first stage, a 150 lb. weight is dropped onto the glass with film sample several times. If the sample passes the test criteria, it is then submitted to the 400 lb. test. Any film must at least pass the 150 lb. test to be labeled a safety film.
Some 2 mil films & all 4 mil films on the market will pass the basic 150 lb. test. There is only one 4 mil film that will pass the 400 lb. test and it is 3M Scotchshield Ultra 400. With all other manufactureres, the minimum thickness needed to pass the 400 lb. test is 7 mils.
Since 1966, Brower Tinting and Graphics has been providing Western Washington with their window film and custom graphic solutions.
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