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URGENT HELP: Does this offer any significant intrusion protection?


Guest thatotherjason

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Guest thatotherjason

Hi All,

I've been reading the boards and appreciate all that I've learned thanks to you! I would now like to have security film installed in my personal residence to frustrate / slow down any intruders as part of a multi-layered security plan. This would NOT be for bomb blast or storm protection, but only to slow down, confuse, and frustrate opportunistic intruders... My local installer who has a good reputation and is "manufacturer trained" suggests Bekaert Panorama SA4 - 4 mil window film. The film would be installed on a mixture of double-paned, double-hung, insulated, tempered glass windows and french doors and on monolithic annealed glass windows. The window and door frames are made of wood and no anchor system would be used (no 995 / a daylight install only). My question is if this particular installation would offer any significant intrusion protection by causing intruder delays and frustration? I am beginning to think that the answer is no (specifically due to the tempered glass, wooden frames, and no anchoring system) and that an 8 mil window film without an anchoring system on a tempered glass window / door might not be any better... Any advice will be greatly appreciated! Thank you!

Thatotherjason

P.S. My local installer will also install Bekaert Panorama SA8 - 8 mil window film, but really suggests the SA4 - 4 mil window film, I am not suggesting that he is unethical, but what is the likelihood that his 4 mil suggestion has to do with the reported additional hassle of installing the Bekaert 8 mil window film (champaign bubbles, adhesive issues, and the like as reported in some of the forums)

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7 Mil Safety film (or thicker) with and attachment system can "slow down" an intruder and hopefully he will move on to somewhere easier. It should be used with an alarm system so that the alarm system will alert the police.

Now, as per your specific window situation:

-French doors: I would think they would be very hard to secure and you can't really put an attachment system (Dow 995) on those without being really messy. I'm not experienced with French panes & safety film, can any else give input here?

-4 Mil will give some resistance, but 7 mil, 8 mil or 14 mil will give much more. Thicker films will buy you more time (with an attachment system.)

-Your safety film is only as strong as the weakest link in the window envelope. If you frame is weak, easier to get in. If you don't have an attachment system, an intruder might be able to quick / punch everything inside. However, the intruder will initially be shocked when he breaks the glass and can't immediately get inside.

If an intruder has plenty of time; safety film will only slow him down; but he can get inside.

-Yes, champaign bubbles can be a problem and occur more often in colder temperatures when the water left behind can not evaporate out completely. The installer should use very good squeegees and get as much water out as possible. Some say the first pass is the most important. Champaign bubbles happen more often with safety + metalized film in colder temperatures. The thick adhesive + thick polyester + metal + cold temperature make the dry out time very slow.

The above is just my :crazy and I welcome more input from experienced safety film installers.

Good luck!

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Guest mhun9180

Definitely go with the 8 mil. It is harder to install, but the added strength of the two ply cross construction is by far a better way to go. Search for some of Leo N Dartz posts regarding safety/security films. He has discussed the added strength that a two ply 8 mil gives over a single 4 or 7 mil. :crazy

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Guest thatotherjason

Thank you everyone for your advice so far! I am going to go with the 8 mil window film as recommended. Would anyone be able to comment on whether or not this will slow down an intruder when attached to tempered glass, in a wood frame, with no attachement system? I know that an attachement system is highly, highly, higly recommended, but would the 8 mil without the attachement system on tempered glass be useless in slowing down an intrustion?

Thank you, thatotherjason

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Guest Key West
Thank you everyone for your advice so far! I am going to go with the 8 mil window film as recommended. Would anyone be able to comment on whether or not this will slow down an intruder when attached to tempered glass, in a wood frame, with no attachement system? I know that an attachement system is highly, highly, higly recommended, but would the 8 mil without the attachement system on tempered glass be useless in slowing down an intrustion?

Thank you, thatotherjason

Yep! It'll slow 'em down a bit. 4 mil will do well to DETER a potential burglar, 8 mil will be better. Sounds like your local installer is doing you right. He's being honest. Dude will make way more money on the 8 mil, and yet he's recommending 4!! ('Course, he could just be scared of the 8 mil, too :poke )

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Guest mhun9180
post some pics when its done :dunno bundy bear like to see pics :evileye
You've got the wrong bloke. I'm not doing the job unless he pays my airfare and expenses. :dunno
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