Safety And Security Are Not The Same

Business and store owners will frequently want to protect their premises, but they still want to make sure that customers feel welcome and invited. When a space has many windows, these can certainly become a hazard with vandals, but eliminating them entirely could not only discourage business, but can also make for an inhospitable environment for employees. Some shops will consider the use of clear or tinted film to this end, but glaziers in London will be quick to point out that safety and security film are different. This allows you to make a wise choice as to which one will best suit your needs.

See Through Security

Both forms of film are translucent and made from polyester. A professional glazier can also install either type of film over existing windows of any size, including glass on doors. While security film will hold broken glass in place, it is also resigned to be more resistant to cutting, making it much more difficult and time consuming for an intruder to enter the area. These films are at least 10 mm in thickness and tend to have multiple layers. According to code standards, they afford as much security as annealed glass, but can be applied to the inside of the window without having to replace the entire plate.

Safety, Physical And Environmental

Safety film shares many of the same features as security film, but is considerably thinner. These films usually range between 4 to 7 mm in thickness and tend to be single ply. Their purpose is primarily to keep shattered glass in place, and they are often used by places that experience heavy lorry traffic, where the vibrations can cause the glass to crack. These films are also available in clear and tinted versions and can also include UV protection. Many shops will have this type of film installed simply to keep paper goods from yellowing. While security film has all of the properties of safety film, safety film is not as effective against manual cutting. If you are still not sure which style is best for your business and needs, you can certainly seek advice from your glazier London, so that you are covered no matter what happens.