Fortified glass and bulletproof glass are both types of security glass used for varied purposes that demand an elevated level of safety and protection. While they may seem similar, there are differences in their purpose, composition, functionality, and level of security they offer.
Fortified glass, also known as laminated or safety glass, is typically used for automobiles, skylights, or windows. This type of glass goes through a process where two or more panes of glass are bonded with a plastic layer in between them. The main purpose of the plastic layer is to ensure that, when fractured, the glass remains in one piece within its frame in order to prevent shards from causing injuries. Although fortified glass is more resistant to breakage than regular glass, it is not completely shatterproof and can’t withstand extremely forceful impacts.
Bulletproof glass, on the other hand, is designed to resist one or several rounds of bullets depending on the thickness of the glass and the weapon fired. It is often used in places that may be susceptible to violent attacks such as government buildings, banks, hospitals, and schools. Bulletproof glass is made by combining several layers of glass with various interlayers of tough plastic (usually polycarbonate or polyvinyl butyral). When a bullet hits the glass, the energy is dispersed across several layers, absorbing the impact and stopping the bullet from penetrating through the glass. Some bulletproof glass options can provide one-way protection where the glass can resist incoming fire while allowing outgoing shots.
