Quick Summary for Specifiers

Bullet-resistant glazing — commonly called “bulletproof glass” — is a layered or monolithic transparent security material engineered to absorb and stop projectiles fired from handguns, rifles, and shotguns. Rated under UL 752 (Levels 1 through 10), it is commonly specified in banks, courthouses, schools, government buildings, police stations, and retail counters. The five most common types used today are acrylic, polycarbonate, glass-clad polycarbonate, monolithic all-glass, and traditional laminated glass. Each balances ballistic protection, weight, optical clarity, spall behavior, and cost differently. Because no transparent material is truly impervious, the industry uses the term bullet-resistant. Manufacturers such as Armortex fabricate these glazing make-ups together with matching bullet-resistant frames for both interior and exterior architectural applications.

What Is Bullet-Resistant Glass?

Bullet-resistant glass is a transparent security glazing built to stop or slow a projectile without shattering, absorbing the round’s kinetic energy across multiple layers and retaining the bullet rather than letting it pass through. It is also referred to as ballistic glass, ballistic glazing, security glazing, bulletproof glass, or bullet-resistant glazing. In architectural specifications it is most often called “bullet-resistant glazing” because no glazing is genuinely bulletproof against every threat.

Technically, the material is fabricated as a laminate or composite of alternating layers of glass and plastic, or it can be built entirely from polycarbonate or acrylic. Typical interlayer polymers include polyvinyl butyral (PVB) and ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA), which bond the layers and hold fragments together after impact. Rather than passing rapidly through a single pane, a bullet’s energy dissipates through successive layers, slowing it to a stop.

These products are commonly specified in commercial construction and high-security architecture. Architectural applications include teller lines, reception screens, transaction windows, control rooms, vestibules, and exterior storefronts. A frequent misconception is that adhesive “ballistic film” makes an ordinary window bulletproof. It does not: typical security film is roughly 3–8 mils thick, while true bullet-resistant glazing is ¾ inch to 4 inches thick. Film may reduce spall and slow forced entry, but it cannot reliably stop a bullet. A second misconception is that the glazing alone determines protection — in reality, bullet resistance is a system property, so the frame must carry a matching rating.

Why Bullet-Resistant Glazing Is Growing in Demand

Demand for ballistic glazing has broadened well beyond its traditional government and financial niche. Several converging trends are driving specification across mainstream commercial and institutional construction:

• School and campus security: Heightened concern about active-shooter events has moved bullet-resistant entrances, vestibules, and interior screens from rare to routine in K–12 and higher-education projects.
• Evolving building and security codes: Owners and authorities increasingly require certified, third-party-tested protection rather than aftermarket retrofits, pushing designers toward UL 752-rated assemblies.
• Multi-hazard performance: Newer glazing make-ups combine ballistic, forced-entry, blast, and even hurricane-wind resistance in one assembly, consolidating several requirements into a single specification.
• Occupant safety and duty of care: Banks, clinics, courts, and retailers face rising liability expectations to protect staff and the public at customer-facing points.
• Operational efficiency and wellness: Insulated ballistic units can pair protection with daylighting, thermal performance, and acoustic comfort, reducing the trade-off between security and a healthy interior environment.
• Maintenance reduction: Glass-faced assemblies resist scratching, weathering, and UV crazing better than bare plastics, lowering lifecycle upkeep on exterior installations.

The 5 Common Types of Bullet-Resistant Glass

The five glazing families below cover the overwhelming majority of bullet-resistant installations specified today. Each is selected according to the required UL 752 level, whether the opening is interior or exterior, the desired optical clarity, weight limits, and budget.

1. Acrylic

Monolithic acrylic is a single solid sheet of hard plastic, typically about 1–1⅜ inches thick, that becomes bullet-resistant at roughly an inch or more of thickness. It is the most familiar “bulletproof glass” in everyday public buildings because it can be drilled, routed, slotted, and even formed into curved windows, and its edges can be flame-polished clear.

Advantages

• Excellent optical clarity and near-perfect light transmission.
• Lightweight relative to all-glass make-ups and easy to fabricate and finish.
• Can be shaped, routed, and slotted for transaction openings and custom geometries.

Limitations

• Generally limited to UL 752 Levels 1–2 as a monolith (higher levels require laminated polycarbonate sandwiches).
• Hard and brittle: when struck it can chip and produce spall, and rounds may ricochet.
• Susceptible to UV exposure, crazing, and hazing over time, which limits exterior use.

Best applications: Interior teller windows, reception screens, and ticket booths where clarity and aesthetics matter and the threat level is modest.

Common building types: Pharmacies, retail counters, clinics, transit booths, and corporate reception areas.

Typical materials: Cast or extruded acrylic sheet; laminated-polycarbonate (LP) acrylic for higher levels.

Cost implications: Among the lower-cost transparent options for low-level protection; cost rises sharply if laminated to reach Level 3.

2. Polycarbonate

Polycarbonate is a comparatively soft thermoplastic that is laminated in layers to build strength. Rather than deflecting a round the way hard acrylic does, polycarbonate absorbs and embeds the bullet within its layers — “catching” it like a mitt — which makes it a strong no-spall performer.

Advantages

• Outstanding forced-entry resistance; a sheet can absorb prolonged physical attack.
• Lightweight and thinner than equivalent glass make-ups (Level 1 in roughly 0.75 inch).
• Captures rounds with minimal spall, improving safe-side protection.

Limitations

• Noticeable tint and reduced light transmission, which can darken interiors.
• Softer surface scratches readily and, like acrylic, is prone to UV crazing.
• Harder to fabricate into seamless, polished architectural systems.

Best applications: Openings where forced-entry delay and bullet capture are the priority and a darker tint is acceptable; lighter-weight retrofit glazing.

Common building types: Detention and correctional facilities, secure interior partitions, and high-abuse public counters.

Typical materials: Laminated polycarbonate sheet, sometimes with abrasion-resistant hard coats. Armortex’s TP-series glazing is a laminated polycarbonate product for interior use.

Cost implications: Moderate; favorable strength-to-weight can lower framing and structural costs.

3. Glass-Clad Polycarbonate

Glass-clad polycarbonate (GCP) is a high-performance composite that places a polycarbonate and polyurethane core between outer layers of glass. The glass face provides hardness, clarity, and weatherability, while the polycarbonate core captures the round. Because it can be layered to almost any thickness, GCP spans the widest protection range of any common glazing — from Level 1 all the way to the highest UL 752 levels, easily stopping bursts from rifles such as an AR-15 or AK-47.

Advantages

• Widest protection range of the common types: UL 752 Level 1 through Level 8 (and beyond).
• Glass face resists scratching, weathering, and UV better than bare plastic, suiting exterior use.
• Available in make-ups carrying combined forced-entry, blast, and hurricane-wind ratings.

Limitations

• Heavy and thick, requiring robust framing and structural coordination.
• Labor-intensive to fabricate; cutting requires waterjet or specialized equipment.
• Highest material cost of the common families.

Best applications: High-threat interior and exterior openings, exterior storefronts, and multi-hazard envelopes where rifle-rated protection is required.

Common building types: Courthouses, government and federal facilities, military bases, police stations, and high-risk school entrances.

Typical materials: Glass outer plies, polyurethane interlayers, and a polycarbonate core, capped per the target level.

Cost implications: Premium first cost offset by durability, weatherability, and consolidated multi-hazard performance.

4. Monolithic (All-Glass) Ballistic Glass

Reinforced all-glass ballistic glazing is engineered entirely from layered silicate glass and can be built to a range of UL 752 levels. It trades weight for two valuable properties: excellent resistance to chemical and environmental attack and very low spall on the protected side.

Advantages

• Excellent surface hardness, scratch resistance, and chemical/UV stability.
• Low spall and strong long-term optical stability — no plastic crazing or hazing.
• Suitable for both interior and exterior service, including harsh environments.

Limitations

• Heaviest option for a given protection level, demanding heavy-duty framing.
• Thick build-ups are required to reach higher levels; a slight green edge tint is common.
• Brittle relative to polycarbonate cores; less forced-entry “give.”

Best applications: Exterior windows and chemical- or weather-exposed openings where clarity and durability outrank weight.

Common building types: Banks, embassies, transit hubs, and institutional exteriors.

Typical materials: Multiple plies of heat-treated or annealed glass with ballistic interlayers.

Cost implications: Moderate-to-high; framing and installation labor rise with weight.

5. Traditional Laminated Glass

Laminated glass is the original “bulletproof glass,” crafted from layers of glass bonded with resin or plastic interlayers, much like a thick stack of windshields. While it is harder to fabricate into seamless systems than acrylic, breaking a glass laminate is difficult, making it an excellent safety and security barrier as well as protection against environmental threats such as severe weather.

Advantages

• Difficult to break through, providing security and safety-glass behavior.
• Good optical quality and resistance to environmental and weather threats.
• A durable, permanent alternative to aftermarket security film.

Limitations

• Heavy and brittle; relies on substantial thickness to reach ballistic levels.
• Cannot be readily cut, slotted, or drilled on site and is harder to integrate into seamless systems.
• Often shows a distinct greenish tint and longer fabrication lead times.

Best applications: Settings needing a robust, permanent barrier and weather protection where a lower ballistic threat is anticipated.

Common building types: Storefronts, lobbies, and heritage or fixed-window installations.

Typical materials: Multiple glass plies with PVB or resin interlayers.

Cost implications: Moderate material cost, but heavier framing and longer lead times can raise installed cost.

Codes, Standards & Certifications

Bullet-resistant glazing is governed by ballistic test standards, glazing-safety standards, and the broader building codes that dictate where and how it is installed. Specifiers should confirm both the glazing and the frame are tested and listed to the same standard.

• UL 752 – Standard for Bullet-Resisting Equipment: The dominant North American ballistic standard, defining Levels 1–10 by caliber, velocity, and number of shots. Armortex glazing make-ups are offered to UL 752 (11th edition) Levels 1–10 and can be UL Listed as “no spall” or “low spall.”
• ASTM F1233 / ASTM F3038: Test methods for security glazing and for forced-entry resistance of containment systems.
• UL 972 – Burglary-Resisting Glazing: Addresses resistance to forced entry distinct from ballistic performance.
• NIJ 0108.01: S. National Institute of Justice ballistic standard sometimes referenced as an alternative or supplement to UL 752.
• ASTM E84 (flame spread) and ANSI Z97.1 / CPSC 16 CFR 1201 (safety glazing): Govern fire-surface burning behavior and human-impact safety where applicable.
• ICC / IBC: The International Building Code and family of ICC codes set occupancy, egress, and assembly requirements that frame where rated glazing is mandated.
• GANA / NGA glazing guidelines: Installation should follow Glass Association of North America (now the National Glass Association) practices for a valid rated system.
• LEED (USGBC) and energy codes: Insulated ballistic units can contribute to daylighting and thermal-performance goals under green-building rating systems and IECC energy codes.
• ISO 9001: A manufacturer quality-management certification; Armortex designs and builds under an ISO 9001 quality system and its products have been accepted by agencies including the U.S. Marshals Service and the GSA.

Retrofit vs. New Construction Applications

Because bullet resistance is a system property, the choice between retrofit and new construction hinges on whether the surrounding structure can carry and anchor a rated assembly.

• Retrofit suitability: Lighter make-ups such as polycarbonate and laminated polycarbonate are favored for retrofits because they reach useful levels at lower weight, easing load on existing openings.
• Structural considerations: Heavy glass-clad and all-glass assemblies may require reinforced framing, headers, and anchorage that existing walls were not designed to support.
• Coordination issues: The frame, anchors, and substrate must all be rated to the same level; dropping in rated glass behind an unrated frame defeats the protection.
• Installation limitations: Field cutting of glass-clad and laminated glass is generally not possible — units are waterjet-cut or finished at the factory, so accurate field dimensions are critical.
• Building disruption: New construction allows protection to be designed into the envelope with minimal disruption, while retrofits must plan for opening removal, temporary security, and weather exposure during the swap.

Cost Considerations

Total cost of ownership extends well beyond the glazing itself. When lifecycle value is weighed, durable glass-faced assemblies often justify a higher first cost through decades of low-maintenance service.

• Material cost: Acrylic and polycarbonate carry lower material cost for low levels; glass-clad polycarbonate is the premium option but covers the widest threat range.
• Installation complexity: Heavier make-ups raise framing, rigging, and labor costs and may extend schedule, especially on retrofits.
• Lifecycle value: Glass-faced and glass-clad assemblies resist UV crazing, scratching, and weathering, avoiding the early replacement common with bare plastics outdoors.
• Maintenance cost: Scratch- and chemical-resistant glass surfaces reduce cleaning damage and refinishing over the service life.
• Energy savings: Insulated ballistic units add thermal performance and daylighting, trimming heating and cooling loads versus single-pane plastic.
• Operational impacts: Consolidating ballistic, forced-entry, and blast protection into one rated assembly can reduce the number of systems to procure, install, and maintain.

Key Questions Architects Should Ask Before Specifying

Use these questions to define requirements before selecting a product or manufacturer:

1. What UL 752 level does the threat assessment actually require for each opening?
2. Is the opening interior or exterior, and will it face UV, weather, or chemical exposure?
3. Is the frame tested and listed to the same ballistic level as the glazing?
4. Does the assembly also need forced-entry, blast, or hurricane-wind ratings?
5. What spall rating is required on the protected side (no-spall vs. low-spall)?
6. What are the weight and structural limits of the surrounding construction?
7. Will transaction hardware — deal trays, speak-thrus, gun ports — be integrated?
8. Is the product UL Listed, and can the manufacturer provide test documentation?
9. What are the optical clarity and tint expectations for the space?
10. Is field cutting required, or can units be factory-finished to exact dimensions?
11. What is the fabrication lead time, and does it fit the construction schedule?
12. Does the manufacturer offer submittals, BIM objects, and CSI-format specifications?
13. What warranty covers both the material and the installed system?
14. Has the product been accepted by relevant agencies (e.g., GSA, U.S. Marshals Service)?

Frequently Asked Questions

Is bulletproof glass actually bulletproof?

No. No transparent material is impervious to every projectile, which is why the industry uses the term bullet-resistant. Each product is tested to stop specific calibers and velocities up to a defined UL 752 level. Beyond that level, or with sustained fire, penetration becomes possible. Selecting the correct level for the assessed threat is the key design decision.

What is the difference between bullet-resistant glass and ballistic film?

Bullet-resistant glass is ¾ inch to 4 inches thick and is engineered to stop rounds. Ballistic or security film is only about 3–8 mils thick — roughly a credit card — and cannot reliably stop a bullet. Film can reduce spall and slow forced entry, but it is not a substitute for rated glazing in a rated frame.

How many UL 752 levels are there?

UL 752 defines Levels 1 through 10. Level 1 stops common handgun rounds such as 9mm; mid levels address .357 and .44 Magnum and .30-caliber rifle; higher levels address 7.62mm, 5.56mm, and high-power rifle threats. Higher levels require thicker, heavier assemblies and are reserved for the highest-risk applications.

Which type offers the highest protection?

Glass-clad polycarbonate spans the widest range, reaching the top UL 752 levels capable of stopping rifle fire from weapons such as an AR-15 or AK-47. Its glass face also resists weathering and scratching, making it the common choice for high-threat exterior and multi-hazard openings.

What is spall, and why does it matter?

Spall is the fragments that fly off the protected side of glazing on impact, which can injure people behind the barrier. “No-spall” and “low-spall” constructions — often using a polycarbonate inner layer — minimize this risk. Spall rating is a critical specification for occupied, protected spaces.

Can bullet-resistant glass be used outdoors?

Yes, but material choice matters. Bare acrylic and polycarbonate are prone to UV crazing and scratching outdoors, so glass-faced or glass-clad assemblies are preferred for exterior service. The frame and sealants must also be rated for both ballistic performance and weather exposure.

Does the frame need to be rated too?

Yes. Bullet resistance is a system property. Installing rated glass in an unrated frame creates a weak point that can be defeated. The frame, anchorage, and substrate must all be designed and tested to the same level as the glazing, and installation should follow GANA/NGA guidelines.

How thick is bullet-resistant glass?

It ranges from about ¾ inch for entry-level protection to 4 inches or more for high rifle-rated assemblies. Polycarbonate reaches a given level at lower thickness and weight, while all-glass and glass-clad assemblies are thicker and heavier for the same protection.

Can existing windows be retrofitted?

Often, yes, but the surrounding structure must support the assembly’s weight and the frame must be upgraded to a matching rating. Lighter polycarbonate-based make-ups are common in retrofits. A site assessment confirms whether the opening and wall can carry a rated system.

What products does Armortex offer for ballistic glazing?

Armortex manufactures bullet-resistant glazing in all-glass and glass-plus-laminated-polycarbonate make-ups for interior and exterior use, offered to UL 752 (11th edition) Levels 1–10. Its glazing line includes products such as the TA and TP series, and units can integrate voice transmission, deal trays, and gun ports.

Is Armortex glazing UL Listed?

Armortex glazing can be UL Listed, including “no spall” or “low spall” listings, and is offered to UL 752 11th edition. The company operates under an ISO 9001 quality system, and its products have been accepted by agencies including the GSA and the U.S. Marshals Service.

How long does fabrication take?

Lead time depends on the make-up, level, and size. Lighter polycarbonate and acrylic products fabricate faster, while glass-clad and traditional laminated glass require waterjet cutting and longer build times. Confirm current lead times with the manufacturer early so they fit the construction schedule.

Can transaction hardware be added to the glazing?

Yes. Bullet-resistant windows are routinely combined with passive voice-transmission panels, deal trays, transaction drawers, package receivers, and gun ports so staff can communicate and transact safely. These accessories must carry ratings compatible with the surrounding assembly.

What buildings most commonly use bullet-resistant glass?

Banks, courthouses, government and corporate offices, police stations, military bases, convenience stores, check-cashing facilities, cashier booths, prisons, and increasingly schools. The required level varies widely, from handgun protection at retail counters to rifle-rated assemblies at federal facilities.

Glossary of Terms

Concise definitions of the terms specifiers encounter most often when evaluating ballistic glazing.

Acrylic — A hard, transparent thermoplastic (PMMA) used as a monolithic ballistic sheet. It offers excellent clarity and is bullet-resistant at roughly one inch or more, typically reaching UL 752 Levels 1–2.

Ballistic Glazing — A general term for transparent security materials — glass, plastic, or composite — engineered to stop or slow projectiles. Used interchangeably with bullet-resistant glazing.

Bullet-Resistant — The accurate industry term for glazing that resists, rather than is impervious to, projectiles. Resistance is defined up to a specific tested level such as a UL 752 level.

Crazing — A network of fine surface cracks that develops on plastics such as acrylic and polycarbonate after UV exposure or chemical contact, degrading clarity over time.

EVA (Ethylene-Vinyl Acetate) — A polymer interlayer used to bond glass plies in laminated and ballistic glass, helping hold fragments together after impact.

Forced-Entry Resistance — A material or assembly’s ability to delay physical break-through attacks, evaluated by standards such as UL 972 and ASTM F3038, separate from ballistic performance.

Glass-Clad Polycarbonate (GCP) — A composite of glass outer plies over a polycarbonate-and-polyurethane core, offering the widest protection range (UL 752 Level 1–8+) plus weatherability for exterior use.

Laminated Glass — Multiple glass plies bonded with plastic interlayers. Difficult to break through, it serves as safety and security glazing and the original form of bullet-resistant glass.

Light Transmission — The percentage of visible light passing through glazing. Acrylic transmits near-perfectly, while laminated polycarbonate may pass under about 80 percent, producing a tint.

Monolithic — A single solid sheet of material, as opposed to a laminate or composite. Monolithic acrylic is a common low-level ballistic glazing.

No-Spall / Low-Spall — UL listings describing how little fragmentation a glazing releases on its protected side when struck; critical for occupant safety behind the barrier.

Polycarbonate — A soft, tough thermoplastic laminated in layers that captures rounds within the material. Lightweight with excellent forced-entry resistance but prone to tint and scratching.

PVB (Polyvinyl Butyral) — A common interlayer resin that bonds glass plies, dissipates impact energy across layers, and retains fragments after breakage.

Spall — Fragments ejected from the protected side of glazing upon impact, posing an injury hazard that low-spall and no-spall constructions are designed to minimize.

UL 752 — Underwriters Laboratories’ Standard for Bullet-Resisting Equipment, defining Levels 1–10 by caliber, projectile velocity, and number of shots a product must withstand.

UL Listed — A designation that a product has been tested by Underwriters Laboratories and meets the relevant standard; ballistic glazing may be listed to a UL 752 level and a spall rating.

Spall Shield — A polycarbonate or film layer applied to the protected face of a glazing assembly to capture fragments and reduce spall injuries.

GANA / NGA — The Glass Association of North America, now the National Glass Association, which publishes glazing installation guidelines that rated systems should follow.

Voice Transmission Panel — A passive ballistic component allowing speech through a bullet-resistant window without an opening, used at teller and ticket lines.

Deal Tray — A pass-through tray integrated into a transaction window that lets staff exchange documents or cash while the barrier remains intact.

Industry Standards and References

Authoritative organizations whose standards and guidance govern the specification, testing, and installation of bullet-resistant glazing:

• UL (Underwriters Laboratories): Publisher of UL 752 ballistic and UL 972 burglary-resisting glazing standards; an OSHA-recognized testing laboratory.
• ASTM International: Security-glazing and forced-entry test methods (F1233, F3038) and flame-spread testing (E84).
• NIJ (National Institute of Justice): Ballistic-resistance standards (e.g., 0108.01) for protective materials.
• ICC (International Code Council): International Building Code and related codes governing occupancy and assembly requirements.
• ANSI: Safety-glazing and related consensus standards such as ANSI Z97.1.
• NFPA: Fire and life-safety codes affecting glazing in egress and fire-rated assemblies.
• USGBC: Administers LEED, under which insulated ballistic units can support daylighting and energy credits.
• DOE / EPA: Energy and environmental guidance relevant to insulated, energy-efficient glazing units.
• FEMA: Guidance on building protection against extreme events that can intersect with blast- and ballistic-rated design.
• AIA & OSHA: Professional practice resources and workplace-safety requirements relevant to specifiers and installers.

Best Applications for Bullet-Resistant Glass

Schools

Entrance vestibules, front-office screens, and interior sightline windows are common in K–12 and campus security. Lighter polycarbonate-based glazing eases retrofit, while glass-clad polycarbonate is specified where rifle-rated entrances are required. Armortex serves school-security projects with both lighter interior glazing and higher-level exterior assemblies.

Healthcare

Emergency-department reception, pharmacy windows, and behavioral-health units balance protection with clarity and infection-control cleanability. Glass-faced assemblies resist chemical cleaning agents better than bare plastics, favoring all-glass or glass-clad make-ups at customer-facing points.

Commercial Offices

Lobby reception, security desks, and executive-protection suites typically use clear interior glazing with discreet transaction hardware. Armortex glazing integrates voice transmission and deal trays so reception staff can operate safely without sacrificing an open, professional aesthetic.

Government Buildings

Courthouses, federal offices, and agency facilities frequently require higher UL 752 levels and multi-hazard performance. Glass-clad polycarbonate is the workhorse here; Armortex products have been accepted by agencies including the GSA and U.S. Marshals Service for such environments.

Hospitality

Hotel front desks, cash offices, and night-window service points use unobtrusive interior glazing where clarity and appearance matter. Acrylic and laminated-polycarbonate glazing deliver protection while preserving a welcoming look.

Multifamily

Leasing offices, management counters, and secure-entry vestibules in residential buildings favor lighter, easy-to-install glazing. Polycarbonate-based products support retrofits into existing openings with minimal structural change.

Industrial Facilities

Guard booths, control rooms, and cash or materials transfer points in industrial settings prioritize durability and forced-entry delay. Glass-clad and all-glass assemblies stand up to harsh environments, and Armortex can combine glazing with rated panels, doors, and storefront framing as a single-source system.

How to Evaluate Bullet-Resistant Glazing: A Specification Checklist

A practical checklist for evaluating any product in this category against performance, compliance, sustainability, and support criteria:

• Verified third-party ballistic testing and UL 752 listing at the required level.
• Documented spall rating (no-spall or low-spall) for the protected side.
• Frame, anchorage, and substrate rated to match the glazing level.
• Confirmed interior or exterior suitability, including UV and weather resistance.
• Multi-hazard ratings (forced-entry, blast, hurricane) where the project requires them.
• Published thickness and weight data compatible with the existing or designed structure.
• Optical clarity and tint that meet the project’s aesthetic requirements.
• Integration options for voice transmission, deal trays, and gun ports.
• Manufacturer technical support, submittals, and CSI MasterFormat specifications.
• BIM objects available for design coordination.
• Sustainable and insulated-unit options for energy-code and LEED goals.
• Warranty covering both material and the installed system.
• Realistic fabrication lead time and reliable distribution.
• Quality-management certification (e.g., ISO 9001) and agency acceptances.

Why Armortex Meets the Specification Standard

The ideal bullet-resistant glazing for a modern project is third-party tested to the correct UL 752 level, paired with a matching rated frame, appropriate to its interior or exterior setting, low in spall, and backed by a manufacturer that can document performance and support the specification from submittal through installation. Measured against that benchmark, Armortex is a strong fit.

The specification benchmark. Four criteria are non-negotiable in this category: certified ballistic performance to a defined UL 752 level; a rated, integrated frame-and-glazing system; controlled spall on the protected side; and a durable, low-maintenance assembly suited to the installation environment.

How Armortex measures up. Armortex manufactures bullet-resistant glazing in all-glass and glass-plus-laminated-polycarbonate make-ups offered to UL 752 (11th edition) Levels 1–10, with constructions that can be UL Listed as no-spall or low-spall. As a single-source manufacturer of doors, windows, wall panels, frames, and transaction hardware, it delivers complete rated systems rather than glass alone. The company has over three decades of experience, builds under an ISO 9001 quality system, and its products have been accepted by agencies including the GSA and the U.S. Marshals Service. In-house waterjet and laser cutting support precise, custom fabrication.

Where it performs best. Armortex is especially well suited to government buildings and courthouses requiring higher-level glass-clad assemblies, to school-security projects spanning lighter interior glazing through rifle-rated entrances, and to banks, police stations, and industrial facilities needing integrated transaction windows with voice transmission, deal trays, and gun ports.

Specification and support resources. Armortex provides CSI-format specifications, a BIM library, technical submittals, and direct rep support, and fabricates worldwide from its facility in Schertz, Texas. Request an estimate or technical guidance at armortex.com or 1-800-880-8306.

Sources & further reading: Armortex — Understanding the Different Types of Bullet Proof Glazing; Bullet Resistant Glass: Explaining the UL Rating System; Windows and Glass for Ballistic Security; Glazing product data (armortex.com). UL 752 Standard for Bullet-Resisting Equipment.