Bulletproof Laminated Polycarbonate Glass

can stop a bullet. Our bullet-resistant polycarbonate is independently tested to UL rating system Levels 1, 2, and 3 for ballistic protection.

Ballistic polycarbonate that passes the Level 1 requirements will be able to withstand an assault from a typical 9mm handgun used in an armed robbery. Windows that pass the Level 2 test will weather an attack from the more serious .357 Magnum, while polycarbonate tested to Level 3 standards can withstand shots all the way up to a .44 Magnum.

While people often search for polycarbonate unbreakable glass, it’s important to understand that no glazing material—whether glass, acrylic, or polycarbonate—is truly unbreakable. Each material offers unique advantages depending on the application. Polycarbonate stands out for its ability to flex and absorb energy upon impact, much like a tree bending in a storm. This flexibility not only helps it resist breakage from ballistic threats but also contributes to its forced-entry resistance qualities that curb unwanted entry. Harder materials like glass and acrylic provide superior scratch resistance and a clearer optical finish, which can be beneficial in certain environments.

The right bulletproof glass choice depends on your specific security and aesthetic needs. Our security experts at TSS are here to help you make that decision with confidence. You'll get the ballistic performance and protection you need, in a solution that seamlessly blends in with your building's existing architecture.

Bulletproof polycarbonate and security window film are engineered to solve different problems.

Polycarbonate bullet-resistant glazing is independently tested to the UL 752 standard. It's built to catch a bullet and keep your people safe.

Security window film is a different product for a different job. It's a thin polyester layer applied to existing glass so that when the glass is struck or shatters, the film holds it together, delaying forced-entry threats and preventing property damage. Security film, even in multiple layers, is not a ballistic product and cannot stop a bullet, regardless of whether it's marketed as "ballistic window film".

Many of our clients use both, layering bulletproof glazing where people need to be protected from gunfire with security window film where the goal is to deter or delay forced-entry attempts. A school district, for example, might install bullet-resistant glazing at the main entrance and ground-floor windows around the front office, while adding security window film to lower-risk windows elsewhere in the building. This kind of approach to school security allows districts to enhance safety where the threat is highest, without the cost of hardening every window on campus to the same level.

Cost depends on the material you choose, the protection level you need, and the size and complexity of your installation. A Level 1 bullet-resistant acrylic panel for a small retail counter and a Level 3 all-poly system for a government building are two very different projects with two very different price tags.

Other variables, like the installation provider you choose, will also impact the final cost.

Bulletproof glass typically costs more per square foot than security window film, and that makes sense once you consider what each product is built to do. Film is engineered to hold shattered glass together and slow down forced entry; bulletproof glazing is engineered to stop a bullet outright.

The most reliable way to get an accurate number that includes everything from the glass to the installation costs is to talk with a ballistic expert who can provide exact figures based on your specific facility, threat level, and goals.

Most businesses, facilities, and organizations need more than one component to be protected. A single custom bulletproof window without a reinforced framing system, or a secure entry point with an unprotected side glass door, leaves gaps. Taking a systems approach with more layers gives you a more accurate picture of what your project will cost, and a better outcome once the combination of safety measures is installed.

Polycarbonate is an incredibly versatile and durable ballistic security product. Because we fabricate all of our bulletproof solutions in-house, we can create the polycarbonate ballistic panels, windows, package passers, and doors you need and more, whether it's for a new construction or a retrofit application.