Crime, vandalism, and property damage are serious concerns for many Seattle residents. With a crime rate of 63 per 1,000 residents, it’s understandable that homeowners want to protect their assets. Smash-and-grab burglaries, where thieves quickly shatter glass and grab valuables, are on the rise across neighborhoods like Ballard, Capitol Hill, Fremont, Queen Anne, and Downtown. Fortifying your property against this threat is crucial. Security window film offers Seattle residents an effective and affordable barrier against forced entry. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore the types of security film available, considerations for choosing the right product, and the key benefits this versatile solution provides homeowners and business owners.
Enhanced Security and Intrusion Prevention
Security window films are durable sheets of polyester designed for glass fortification. Often, the films are made of multiple layers that are stacked together to create a highly durable product. This engineered design makes it stronger against impacts, blows, and other blunt forces.
This unmatched strength deters smash-and-grab burglars who aim for quick, easy access by shattering windows. The reinforced glass withstands prolonged attacks, delaying intruders until police can respond. It also convinces many criminals to abandon the burglary altogether, instead seeking a weaker target nearby.
This delay and deterrence effect provides critical, life-saving time for property owners during break-in attempts. As seasoned Seattle residents understand, property crime remains a persistent regional threat. In 2020 alone, there were 37,593 property crimes reported in Seattle. Security film converts standard glass into a veritable shield, protecting your valuables from harm.
Mitigation of Shattered Glass Hazards
In any accident, natural disaster, or criminal act that destroys glass, security window film contains the resulting shards, preserving life and safety in several ways. First, it minimizes dangerous glass fragment projectiles that cause severe cuts and injuries. It also prevents tiny shards from dispersing across floors, furniture, and other interior surfaces.
By controlling glass breakage, security film reduces liability from injuries or wrongful death that might occur without its protection. It also safeguards building occupants from harm in the critical moments following glass damage. This benefit is invaluable in earthquake-prone Seattle, providing a life-saving measure during seismic activity. Unsecured glass can shatter into thousands of razor fragments during quakes. Security film acts as a clear shield over the glass, controlling this hazard.
Easy Maintenance and Durability
Once professionally installed, security film requires very little maintenance expense or effort by homeowners. An occasional cleaning with standard household glass cleaner keeps the film looking new. Unlike ornate security gates or metal fixtures, no special equipment or harsh chemicals are needed.
Security film is designed to resist scratches, abrasions, bubbling, and other wear for decades after installation. Most products come with a manufacturer warranty as a testament to their durability. With proper care and cleaning, security film lasts for up to 10-15 years before needing replacement. And when that time comes, the existing film can be quickly and affordably reapplied over. This convenient renewal process delivers essentially lifelong protection.
Types of Security Window Films
There are several grades and options when it comes to security film for Seattle homes and businesses:
– Clear safety films provide standard glass reinforcement and fragment control following breakage.
– Premium security films offer enhanced strength against deliberate attacks like burglaries and vandalism.
– High performance options like bullet-resistant film provide the ultimate protection against ballistic weapons.
Key Considerations for Choosing Security Film
When selecting security window treatments in Seattle, consider the following:
– Your specific security priorities – burglary deterrence, personal protection, and aesthetics
– Your budget – higher grades are more expensive but deliver better protection.
– Visual preferences – tinted, reflective, or clear film. Many meet HOA rules.
– Consulting security experts to conduct threat assessments and recommend the ideal film system.
– Seeing product testing demonstrations – many films stop bricks, bullets, and bomb blasts.
– Checking warranties – many security films have warranties for peace of mind.
Affordability Compared to Alternatives
Security window film is an affordable upgrade that is exponentially cheaper than alternatives like security shutters, metal gates, or ballistic glass. And unlike expensive one-time security system purchases, security film delivers 24/7 protection for decades. Over a lifetime of security and peace of mind, security film is a worthwhile investment.
Contact Our Security Window Film Experts in Seattle!
Upgrading home or business windows with security film deters smash-and-grab burglaries, shields occupants from glass hazards, and demonstrates a commitment to safety. To learn more or schedule a professional consultation in Seattle, contact our team today. We look forward to helping you protect your property in an affordable, effective way.
About The Author: Angus Faith
Angus Faith has been working in the window tinting industry for over a decade. After spending many years working as an architect and traveling all around the world, he moved to Seattle from Scotland. Angus has seen firsthand the impact that window film can make on the energy efficiency, functionality, and beauty of a building. Today, he uses his extensive knowledge of window tinting products and brands to help his customers select the perfect option for their space. He is an expert on all the various types of security, climate control, and privacy window film available today as well as the top window tinting brands such as 3M, LLumar, and Vista. His breadth of knowledge and years of experience have given him the reputation as one of the top window film professionals in the Seattle metro area.
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