Is the glass in your school’s entryway strong enough to withstand a heavy object or a forced entry attempt? Standard glass remains the weakest point in a facility's physical security. It creates a risk of rapid entry, and dangerous flying shards add unnecessary risks during incidents. 

While administrators want to keep campuses secure, without it feeling like a fortress. Projectile-resistant film is a popular approach for Brownsville, TX, schools. But how is it possible that a small layer of film could keep windows from breaking during an attempted breach? 

SEE ALSO: What Makes a Film Projectile Resistant? 

Layers Make All the Difference in Window Film 

High-performance security films, such as the 3M Ultra Series, are not just single sheets of plastic. These films consist of up to 42 individual micro-layers of tear-resistant polyester. While traditional security films relied on sheer thickness to provide protection, today’s film has a profile thinner than a Post-it Note. This thinness is deceptive because the strength comes from the way the layers are structured.

By alternating the grain and orientation of each micro-layer, engineers create a cross-woven effect. This film resists tearing even if the glass behind it is completely shattered. In high-security applications, an 8-mil thickness standard is often used to hold glass fragments together during a heavy impact. 

How Projectile-Resistant Film Spreads the Impact of a Heavy Object 

When a heavy object like a brick or a hammer hits a treated window, the film uses a process called controlled delamination to manage the force. The individual layers pull apart slightly to spread the energy of the impact across a much wider surface area. You can think of this like a safety net or a trampoline that stretches to catch an object rather than letting it pierce through immediately. 

The film itself is only part of the solution. During installation, we use Impact Protection Attachment (IPA) sealant to bond the film-and-glass composite directly to the window frame. This anchoring system prevents the entire pane of glass from being pushed out of the frame after it has been shattered. Without it, the glass could still be bypassed with enough force.

What Are the Benefits of Adding Security Film to Your School? 

The primary goal of security film is not to make glass unbreakable, but to buy vital seconds for staff and students. By delaying an entry attempt by several minutes, the film provides the time necessary for school leaders to initiate lockdown protocols or for law enforcement to arrive on the scene. In a crisis, these extra moments are the most valuable asset a facility manager can have.

These systems also help stay in line with Texas Education Agency (TEA) safety requirements. Because these films are recognized safety upgrades, they are often eligible for state security grants designed to harden school perimeters. Beyond the immediate security benefits, the film provides 99.9% UV protection to protect interior furniture from fading and assist with energy efficiency during the intense South Texas heat.

Circle Industries helps Brownsville schools create a safer environment through projectile-resistant film, video surveillance, access control, and more. Contact our team today to schedule a security assessment for your campus.