Getting Started with Bullet-Resistant Windows

In today’s ever increasing climate of workplace violence, bullet-resistant windows are more often than ever a key component of facility security plans. Offering higher levels of protection, yet with the clarity of a traditional glass pane, bullet-resistant windows are available in glass-clad polycarbonate, solid acrylic, or polycarbonate laminate make-ups, depending on the level of protection desired.

Applicable Industries

Because of the clarity and level of protection offered by bulletproof glass, bullet-resistant windows are truly versatile, with the potential to be used in a wide range of industries. Common implementations include:

Stadiums and Arenas: The large crowds and high level of money exchange makes stadiums, arenas, and other public venues high-risk areas. To reduce risk, these facilities often use bulletproof glass to protect box office employees.

Banks and Credit Unions: Financial institutions typically feature large lobbies, high traffic, and frequent cash exchange that makes them a prime target for robberies. Even with dedicated security staff, banks and credit unions are often constructed with bulletproof windows, partitions, and enclosures to ensure worker safety.

Convenience Stores: Similar to stadiums and hospitality facilities, convenience stores experience high levels of traffic at all hours. Bulletproof glass and partitions help to protect employees from potential gun violence and robberies.

Schools and Universities: Although we like to consider schools a safe place for students and faculty alike, increased violence at schools and universities has prompted many districts to enact protective measures, including bulletproof windows and security enclosures for student, teacher, and visitor screening.

Interior/Exterior Considerations

As you’re planning a security project, it’s important to think about how you’ll be incorporating bullet-resistant windows, as they have both interior and exterior applications. Will you be installing bulletproof glass in an area facing a dark, deserted, or otherwise vulnerable outdoor area? Or will you be installing ballistic glass in a well-lit indoor room within a secure facility? Factors such as required protection levels, UV exposure, extreme temperatures, and other environmental variables can affect the long-term clarity and physical integrity of the material. These and many other factors go into making the correct choice for ballistic glazing (glass) and underline the need to consult with the ballistic experts at Bullet Guard prior to ordering just any product off an online store.

Technical Specifications

Bullet-resistant windows are available in a variety of protection levels, manufactured to withstand projectiles of different ratings and velocities. Levels 1-3 are used for lighter, small arms weapons up to a .44 magnum, where the aim is to safeguard employees in most typical situations that typically involve handguns. Levels 4-8 protect against projectiles from higher velocity rifles up to 7.62mm, and are typically reserved for high risk, military, and certain government facilities.

Our quick ship transaction windows are available in two standard sizes – 24” by 36” and 30” by 36”. Depending on the product desired, our bullet-resistant windows range in UL-752 protection levels 1-8, featuring horizontal, circular, arched, and other voice port options. Standard windows are available with many additional options such as stainless steel recessed deal trays, plastic laminate or stainless steel countertops. We also offer custom transaction windows in sizes of up to 8’ by 5’, incorporating different types of aluminum, slip steel, or telescoping steel frame systems manufactured at our facility in order to meet your specific needs.

Bullet-Resistant Windows from Bullet Guard

Our team of experienced professionals have been serving our clients for over 40 years, providing custom built ballistic solutions to meet their safety needs. If your security project could benefit from bullet-resistant windows, you can browse our quick ship products or contact us to request a quote today.

Bullet Guard Acquired by Industry Leader Total Security Solutions

After 40+ years in business, Bullet Guard announces that we were wholly acquired by Total Security Solutions (TSS), based out of Fowlerville, Michigan, in November of 2021.

While now part of the TSS family, Bullet Guard will continue operations in our current location and with the experienced staff that our customers have come to depend on over the years. This new relationship will allow Bullet Guard access to growth capital, extensive supply chains, advanced technology, and the expanded operational capacity that comes with being part of the TSS team.

Impressed by our commitment to quality and customer service, Total Security Solutions CEO Jim Richards shared, “As a company, they’re very similar to us, although at a smaller scale. But with more than 40 years of experience in bulletproof glass, they are really well-positioned to service the Western half of the country. That made them very attractive to us.”

Recent years have seen spikes in the murder rate in the U.S., with firearms involved in an increasing share of homicides.This has disproportionately impacted the Western half of the United States. Pew Research found that 2020’s year-over-year murder rate increase was the largest since at least 1905 (and possibly ever, according to the CDC). Washington, Oregon, Nevada, California, and Arizona all saw increases of 16% to 45%. In Montana, murder rates nearly doubled, rising 84%.

Such increases bring an increased interest in securing facilities against armed attackers. TSS recognizes the substantial relationships we’ve built with municipal, financial, and government entities along the West Coast, and observed that Bullet Guard would be able to extend our reach by upgrading some of our current procedures.

Expanding Our Offerings by Optimizing Procedures

While acknowledging our pre-existing automation, TSS saw opportunities to upgrade the processes already in place. In late March of 2022, TSS began the process of modernizing operations here at Bullet Guard. Building on the exceptional service we already offer our customers, TSS seeks to enhance that service by bringing in everything they know about making bulletproof barrier systems to extremely tight tolerances.

This will also mean expanding our offerings to better suit other potential customers, like hospitals and schools. But these improvements aren’t limited to installing new CNC routers and water jet cutters. Jim Richards is working with our management team, integrating Bullet Guard into the Total Security Solutions EOS (or Entrepreneurial Operating System™). EOS is a comprehensive set of business concepts and tools that make it much easier for an organization—no matter how large or small—to move together toward their goals.

“About ten years ago, we shifted our mindset,” Jim explains. “As a company, we shifted our focus. We stopped thinking just about ‘stopping bullets’ or ‘stopping robberies,’ and expanded our view. We began to understand that this was bigger than robberies. It was about finding the best way to protect an organization’s most valuable asset: their people. You do that by making those people’s lives easier every day, not just on their worst day. Designing systems that look good and work well, installing them with as little disruption as possible, increasing their peace of mind on a daily basis—all of that is part of what it means to protect people.”

Exciting Changes, Consistent Service

One thing that won’t change is our devotion to quality work and excellent customer service, the same standards that you’ve come to know from us over the past 40+ years. Our dedicated employees will always be here, helping you make the right choices for your security needs.

Quality Assurance

Licensed California Contractor # 712959

BBB Accredited Business UL