For residential or commercial projects that require both maximum security and plenty of natural light, glass block is the preferred choice for architects and designers. Security and detention glass block windows excel in safeguarding against break-ins, fires, and high winds while maintaining privacy. Specialized innovations such as fire-rated, hurricane-resistant, and enhanced security glass block deliver even greater protection, ensure code compliance, and give clients added peace of mind.
What is Security Glass Block?
Security glass block provides the ultimate protection against penetration. These types of blocks are engineered to be even more resistant to shattering, impact, and force than traditional glass blocks.
Generally, security glass blocks and security glass block windows are made up of two or more layers of tempered glass that are fused together or are made with solid glazing, and often laminated with a layer of shatterproof film. Security glass block windows will often feature steel frames and grids.
This type of glass block is designed for applications in which it’s important to keep people out - or keep them in. Projects such as prisons, detention centers, correctional facilities, courts and criminal justice centers, police departments, and jails. Security glass block is also incredibly useful in securing places like government buildings, banks, and other high-value commercial buildings.
The Value of Security Glass Block Windows
Security glass block can also be used to create a security wall around a property or to protect windows and doors from vandalism and break-ins - while not blocking natural light from penetrating the property. While extremely difficult to break, it should be noted that even security glass block is not indestructible. A commonly asked question is whether glass block is bullet-proof. While traditional glass block products cannot make this claim, security glass blocks carry ballistics ratings.
When specifying a glass block for your client’s project, keep in mind it is important to select a high-quality product that is proven to withstand impact and penetration. Look for security glass block that is made with tempered glass and that has a high security rating. You should also consider the thickness of the security glass block. The thicker the glass block, the more resistant it will be to impact and penetration. However, keep in mind that the thicker the glass block, the more expensive it will be.
Strides in product innovation have given rise to more choices when it comes to security glass block, giving architects and end users more options. The strongest blocks and glass block windows can now be found in a variety of transparencies and textures, giving designers more creative freedom.
Are Glass Block Windows Secure?
Glass block windows are inherently more secure than traditional pane glass, offering a robust barrier against forced entry without compromising daylighting. Their heavy-duty construction makes them an ideal deterrent for vulnerable access points, such as street-facing openings or basement windows, where maintaining privacy and security is paramount.
For environments requiring advanced protection, such as government buildings or correctional facilities, glass block can be specified to meet rigorous impact resistance standards. These high-performance systems are missile-impact tested to satisfy strict insurance requirements. This ensures that even facilities subject to high-risk threats remain impenetrable while still admitting natural light.
GBA Offers Top Security Glass Block Products
Glass block is strong. Variations of this product are used for stairways, floors, walls, exterior building cladding, and skylights. When a job requires a product even stronger than glass block, there is security glass block, and types of glass block engineered for other extreme applications.
GBA offers the Technology Line of Glass Block and Glass Brick. The line includes products that are:
GBA is proud to carry high-quality Seves Glass Block products. Seves LightWise® Architectural Systems Threat Resistant Windows are factory-assembled, steel framed glass block windows built for security. They are customizable to fit your design.
These windows utilize VISTABRIK® solid glass blocks affixed to a steel frame and grid for exceptional strength. LightWise® security windows are ideal for facilities where safety and security are critical, and they require minimal maintenance. LightWise® Architectural Systems Threat Resistant Windows increase the amount of natural daylight that comes into a room while still providing security you can feel confident specifying for the highest-risk environments.
LightWise® Threat Resistant Windows
LightWise® Architectural Systems Threat Resistant Windows offer these performance features:
- Enhanced security
- Ballistic resistant levels
- Varying privacy levels
- Impact resistance
- Pick-proof
- Factory assembly
High-Performance Glazing:
- Will not burn
- Resists scratching and marring
- Will not discolor
- Reduces maintenance costs
Additional features and benefits include:
- Strength and durability of steel
- Welded corners and grids
- Narrow sightlines
- Enhanced security with vision and light transmission
- Enhanced resistance to forced entry/exit
- Reduced on-site labor costs
- Expedited installation sequencing
- Ballistic resistance
Design Features and Options:
- Glass Block Dimensional Options: 4” x 8” | 6” x 8” | 8” x 8” VISTABRIK®
- Glass Block Transparency Options: clear, stippled or sandblasted
- Frame Options: steel or stainless
- Finish Options: powder coated colors available or bead blast for stainless
- Design Criteria: Meets or exceeds ASTM E283, E330, E547, A1011, C920, ANSI Z-97.1 CFR Part 1201, ASTM F-1233-08 and SD-STD 01.01
- Ability to meet UL 752 Ballistic Resistance, Levels 1 through 6
LightWise® Architectural Systems Threat Resistant Windows are extremely versatile to attach to any substrate in new or existing construction. They are adaptable to fit any size opening.
When natural lighting is desired, but safety, and security are critical, and forced entry must be prevented, choose a high-quality security glass block window such as Seves LightWise®, available from GBA Architectural Products + Services.
Request More Information About Our Security Glass
Contact GBA Architectural Products + Services for more information about glass architectural products.
For questions, call the experts at GBA at:
- East Coast:(212)-255-5787
- Midwest:(877)-280-7700
- West Coast:(213)-634-7050
