What is Riot Glass, and why do you need it?
If you have never heard of Riot Glass®, here is your cue to quickly add this product to your “must haves” list for any construction project. This retrofit security glazing system is designed to add a significant level of forced entry or ballistic protection to any building. Are you unsure of how it can help protect your building? We have compiled this helpful guide to help you get acquainted with this incredible product.
How Does Riot Glass® Work?
Sledgehammers and other extensive tools, as well as objects launched into the air by heavy winds, can wreak havoc on common building materials. Riot Glass® technicians spent countless hours of tests checking to gradually develop these patented frame designs that have components that absorb kinetic energy and allow them to break up before they can start to cause damage to your building. The product is also a retrofit security glazing system to endure these forces for a considerable time.
Benefits of Using Riot Glass®® Polycarbonate Glazing to Tighten Your Building’s Security
- Polycarbonate glazing feels and looks like regular glass.
Polycarbonate is a type of thermoplastic polymer with carbonate groups in its chemical makeup. So it seems reasonable that polycarbonate glazing would undoubtedly appear and feel plastic. On the other hand, polycarbonate security glazing is made to resemble classic window glass as closely as possible in appearance and feel. Your windows and different glass surfaces still look and feel the same, if not slightly different. Additionally, several unique coatings can be applied to polycarbonate security glazing to increase its toughness and durability.
- It is practically indestructible and invisible.
Polycarbonate is resilient enough to resist even the most prolonged, most driven attacks and efforts at forced entry using hefty tools. Other security glazing types can crack and break after higher-intensity blows. Polycarbonate sheets, for instance, won’t break or significantly lose strength 
no matter how often a would-be thief strikes it with pliers, bars, bats, or hammers. The vulnerable doors and windows on your primary residence are strengthened by polycarbonate without looking noticeably different from their original appearance. If you like to improve the security of your building without sacrificing its appearance or making it appear like a prison, this is the best option.
- Can equip your property with ballistic protection
Numerous grades of polycarbonate security glazing are available. Containment-grade glazing is the minor protective level available and is designed to protect against other impacts, as well as forced entry, but it is not bulletproof. You can use different grades of bullet-resistant (ballistic-grade) polycarbonate to defend against dangerous active attacks if you need a higher level of protection. Most high-security facilities use ballistic polycarbonates, such as educational institutions, places of worship, governmental structures, jails and prisons, and other places where active dangers are a significant concern.
- Does not need glass replacement or removal
Polycarbonate glazing can typically be retrofitted directly on top of your current glass, making it one of the best options for safeguarding your home against potential threats. Your glass windows and doors can be made more secure without replacing the glass or the framing with a retrofit safety glazing solution. This is perfect for large development properties where replacing the glass would be prohibitively expensive, time-consuming, and destructive. In addition, installation work for retrofit security glazing can be done after hours and on the weekend so as not to interfere with regular business hours.
- Acts as a substitute for emergency board-ups
Closing up doors and windows with wood is a standard emergency solution, whether you’re protecting your business from a hurricane or civil unrest. Board-ups are a helpful solution, but they can also be unattractive and problematic for various reasons, such as being easily pried off, burnt out, and expensive. Polycarbonate glazing prevents all of the problems mentioned above by offering a round-the-clock defense against rioting, vandalism and looting, forced entry, storm damage, etc. In essence, there is never a need to add plywood on top of the glazing because polycarbonate serves as an invisible, long-lasting board for your current doors and windows.
- Longevity
Riot Glass® polycarbonate security panels can resist even the most severe forced entry or ballistic attacks. Every board is also covered in a tough coat that is scratch- and UV-resistant to provide years of hassle-free security. The coatings are thermally cured for maximum longevity and a crystal clear, smooth surface finish, as opposed to standard UV curing methods used by different polycarbonate manufacturers. This can lead to weaker panels and poor clarity. Yellowing is no longer an issue.
Conclusion
If you are looking for the perfect glass-like security panel for your home or business, the Riot Glass® polycarbonate is the best choice for you. This retrofit, cost-effective, and easy-to-use security alternative leaves your home or business fashionably stylish without taking away from safety.
