I’m looking to secure 12 windows with a security film like 3M S-800 or Llumar. I reached out to a few companies, and two said my windows couldn’t use attachment caulking, while another said they use attachments on all residential jobs.
Without anchoring, I’ve heard the film is basically useless because the whole pane could be knocked out easily. Anchoring adds time and noise, which is important for security. I’m confused why some companies said it couldn’t be done while another said it’s standard. Any thoughts?
The point of security film isn’t to make the window unbreakable; it’s to slow down someone trying to break in. Even a cheap film, if applied well, can add a few seconds. It’s about making it harder, not impossible. The value depends on how much time it adds and whether it’s worth the cost to you.
@Frances
I get that, but without anchoring, I feel like the whole window could just be knocked out in one piece. That wouldn’t slow anyone down much. With anchoring, it might add a few minutes, which could be enough to wake us up or trigger alarms. I’m trying to understand why two companies said my windows couldn’t be anchored, but another says they anchor 100% of jobs. Are the first two just lazy, or is the third one doing something unnecessary?
@Foster
It depends on your windows. For mine, you’d need to hit them pretty hard to push the whole pane out. But I guess it could vary based on the type and size of the window.
Frances said: @Foster
It depends on your windows. For mine, you’d need to hit them pretty hard to push the whole pane out. But I guess it could vary based on the type and size of the window.
My house is 12 years old, and the windows are sliding, double-paned, and about 30x50 inches. It’s a higher-end build, so I think the windows are a good brand, but I’m not sure which one.
@Foster
Are the frames vinyl, wood, or aluminum? I’ve heard wood is the strongest, followed by vinyl, then aluminum. That could make a difference in how secure the anchoring is.