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Bulletproof
Residential
Windows
Ballistic Windows – Discreet for Homes & Historic Buildings
Important residential features
- Clear view through bulletproof glass due to consistent index of refraction precision
- Thermal layer of argon or air to exceed U-value requirements
- Complete system that includes bulletproof glass, frame, and trim
- Fully custom designs and sizes
- Design replication, including for historic landmarks
- Opening windows – extremely rare for ballistic glass
WINDOW PROTECTION LEVELS
- Bullet resistance to all 8 UL 752 levels, including handguns and rifles
- Blast protection available to Department of Defence & GSA Standards (1 thru 45 PSI)
- Fema 361 Certification Available (Federal Guidelines for Safe Room Construction)
- Forced Entry Resistance Available to ASTM standards
Bullet-Resistant Level Comparison
Residential bulletproof glass for windows ranges in protection levels between the eight Underwriter Laboratories paragraph 752 ballistic standards. These indicate the caliber type, velocity, and the number of rounds fired per square foot area.
Most homeowners typically work with Levels 1-3 when covering large portions of their home’s exterior. These levels cover handguns.
Level 1 residential ballistic glass stops three rounds from a 9mm handgun; level 3 stops three rounds of one of the most powerful handguns on the market, the .44 Magnum.
The higher rifle ballistic levels are more often employed for safe rooms, though a sizeable number of clients will utilize it for their entire home exterior. Rifle levels comprise Levels 4, 5, 7, and 8.
Level 6 is the odd exception – it stops 9mm rounds like Level 1, but at a faster speed and higher quantity; this is to stop bullets from a weapon like an Uzi.
Take a look at the UL 752 diagram to the right to see more detail. Our team can give you several options based on your specific situation to help you figure out which bulletproof windows are right for your home.
Vulnerabilities in Standard windows
The average residential window is easily defeated.
Glass resists compression very well, making it a durable material for standard window applications. In contrast, it is highly susceptible to tension.
Even sophisticated glass manufacturing processes leave thousands of microscopic cracks. By itself, this doesn’t present a problem; however, when tension or bending is applied, these cracks “open.” At that point, the material’s interatomic bonds can easily break, leading to a multiplicative effect.
A criminal can easily use this to his advantage. An ordinary sharp object (even a screwdriver) is sufficient. And the larger the window, the easier it is to bend enough to crack. Double or triple-pane glass helps, but not significantly against a criminal – they merely need to hit the window harder.
Even without shattering the glass itself, household window frames and locks are susceptible to forced entry attacks through prying and cracking. Window frames are generally made of wood (which can flex) and simple locking systems – locks much less robust than those used on doors.
For all these reasons, windows remain one of the most common points of unauthorized, criminal entry into a home.
RESIDENTIAL BALLISTIC WINDOW DESIGNS
Extremely rare due to ballistic window’s weight, we offer the broadest range of replica and historical window styles – made possible due to specialized engineering and the finest components spanning the globe.
Fixed Replica Window
We often create bulletproof windows that match historical designs and blend into the home’s surrounding exterior, using mullions, muntins, tinting, and unique millwork.
Picture window
A flat, non-opening window is the most cost-effective option for bullet-resistant residential protection. Our bulletproof windows offer crystal clear visibility.
Operable windows
Due to our residential specialization, we are one of the only companies globally to offer fully opening bulletproof windows, including casement, tilt & turn, and even a modified single hung option.
ADDITIONAL DESIGN Options
Wood Frame Finish
Frosting
Thermal Insulation
Tinting
Mullions & Muntins
Commercial vs Residential Ballistic Windows
Installing bulletproof glass for home windows is different from installing glass for commercial uses.
Many commercial locations install ballistic glass, from gas stations to banks. The French government is even installing bullet-stopping glass as a security measure at the Eiffel Tower.
Architects and builders design commercial locations to serve various functions: from transacting money to containing those awaiting trial.
In contrast, builders design a home as a relaxing, beautiful place for a family to live in and enjoy.
Custom bulletproof home windows must therefore incorporate beauty and elegance as much as they incorporate security. Bulky and cumbersome window systems will not do.
Of primary importance is the ability to see clearly out of the bulletproof window. The system used for the frames is also essential. The most straightforward constructed window frames – and therefore those used mostly in commercial or governmental applications – are made of industrial-style aluminum or steel. This style matches poorly with most home architecture.
Finally, homeowners require different functionality and locking than commercial locations. A shop may be satisfied with fixed storefront windows; however, a homeowner typically wants operable windows to provide airflow.
Fortified Estate’s high security and bulletproof windows are fully custom. We design them to match even the most opulent residences. Sophisticated engineering allows us to create some of the only operable bulletproof windows.
INSTALLING OUR BULLETPROOF WINDOWS IN A HOME
3D modeling
Our custom bulletproof windows are 3D modeled in CAD software to provide clients a complete view of the window system before fabrication. A viewable model provides for detailed design matching and easy wall preparation for installation. We included multiple revisions to achieve the client’s vision.
Factory assembly
Our residential bulletproof window systems are assembled at the factory by team members with years of expertise in ballistic systems. That level of experience leads to rigorous testing and – very importantly – precision required for ultimately optimal installation.
local installation
We pre-assemble all bullet resistant window systems and incorporate convenient features into the frame (such as built-in steel shims) to allow local contractors easy installation. Experience installing standard windows is enough to understand how to install our high-security systems.
Additional Installation Details
Our bulletproof
windows are more robust, thicker, and heavier than typical shatter-resistant glass. However, the basic installation principles remain the same.
You don’t need to be a large company to incorporate ballistic windows into your house. While the framing requirements differ somewhat, one’s home rarely needs significant augmentation to install ballistic windows.
Our bulletproof windows can conveniently install into a new or an existing residence.
The glass’s thickness – usually comprised of multiple, fused layers – ranges depending on whether the homeowner wants protection from axes, handguns, or assault rifles. The frame systems are all similar, although the overall unit can vary in weight by 20-50%.
Our bullet resistant windows are made-to-measure, so it is essential to get accurate rough opening measurements before production. We list the planned sizes on detailed shop drawings for the client or contractor to sign off on before officially releasing for manufacture.
Once bullet resistant window manufacture is completed, the custom windows ship for arrival to the residence or job site. Most of our windows ship fully assembled. Generally, we instruct the contractor to remove the glass for installation temporarily. By lessening the weight during this step, the installation of the frame affords more effortless precision.
Installing the frame plumb, level, and square is very important, especially for our operable, multi-locking windows. Our window frames have specialized steel shims built in them that offer easier installation and greater security.
For more detailed installation information, please reach out to a team member today.
COMPLEMENTARY SECURITY PRODUCTS
Clients often protect all vulnerabilities in a specified perimeter – from a single panic room to an entire house.
PANIC ROOM CONSTRUCTION
SEE DETAILS
RESIDENTIAL SECURITY DOORS
SEE DETAILS
BALLISTIC WALLS
SEE DETAILS
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Can My Bulletproof Window Open?
Yes – offering operable bulletproof windows is one of our unique specialties!
This rare feature in the industry requires specialized engineering and careful manufacturing and therefore is of higher cost and complexity than our fixed windows. However, an operable window – such as a ballistic casement window, awning or single hung window – is popular with our residential clients.
Will Your Ballistic Glass Provide Good Visibility?
Yes – every high security product we provide is designed to look like it was never there. Most of our ballistic glass products are manufactured purely with glass to attain crystal clear visibility.
When polycarbonate layers are also required in the glazing, all materials are carefully calibrated to the same refractive index, resulting in the same clear effect.
Additionally, we offer tinting and frosting of the window to the client’s specifications.
How Much Does A Bulletproof Window Cost?
The cost of a bulletproof window ranges from $350 to $800+ per square foot depending on what bullets are to be stopped, whether the window is opening, how intricate the design is, and the size of the window.
For example, a 36” x 60” bulletproof window that is UL Level 1 ballistic (9mm rounds) and is fixed would cost around $5,500 while the same size window in UL Level 8 ballistics (Military rifles) that is also casement operable may cost over $14,000.
Who Will Install the Window Into My Home?
We’ve worked with clients in over 40 US states, US Territories, and several Canadian provinces. Final installation is always done by a local, qualified contractor near the client’s property.
If you need, Fortified Estate will suggest a contractor for our client to work with for installation from one of our past projects. In most cases though, the installation will simply be handled by the client’s existing contractor or home builder.
Our high security windows are fully assembled and optimized in our factory and they are specially designed to easily install into a home. For this reason, most professionals skilled in installing regular windows are plenty capable of installing our high security ones. We ship these for delivery directly to the client’s property.
How Will My Ballistic Window Look?
Our windows are custom designed to blend in with the client’s existing or new property. This discreet aspect and their practical usability are what we specialize in.
Of course, the additional weight of ballistic glass and requirements for frame security necessitate some limitations, such as the frame’s thinness. However, we excel at replicating even historically protected designs and use creative engineering to balance security and design requirements.
Before anything goes into product detailed shop drawings are created by our engineer that displays all aspects of the planned window, allowing you to make sure the design is exactly how you want it.
