Security
What is the difference between security film and ballistic glass?
Security film is a retrofit applied to existing glazing to retain fragments and delay forced entry. Ballistic glazing is a purpose-built rated assembly — laminated glass, polycarbonate or composite panels — tested to a published ballistic standard and installed with framing capable of carrying it. They solve different problems and are not interchangeable.
Ballistic assemblies are specified by threat level against a recognized standard, and the rating belongs to the tested assembly including its frame. Retrofitting film to ordinary glass in an ordinary frame does not produce a rated assembly at any thickness.
Security film's advantage is that it works on the building you already have: existing glass, existing frames, interior installation, no glazing replacement, and a fraction of the cost. That is why institutions use it broadly and reserve ballistic assemblies for specific positions.
A sound security scope often uses both: film with perimeter attachment across the entry glazing, and a rated assembly at the one or two positions where the threat model genuinely requires it.
Technical performance, service life and warranty terms come from current 3M documentation for the specific product and application. We attach those documents to proposals rather than paraphrase them.