Walk into any modern office or shopfront and you’ll find more glass than ever before — and with it, a greater need to protect people and property. From accidental breakages to deliberate attempts at forced entry, glass vulnerabilities pose a significant risk to businesses. That’s where safety and security window films come in. While they may sound similar, they serve different purposes and choosing the right one depends on your space, your risks, and what you need the glass to do.

Let’s break down the key differences and help you decide what’s best for your commercial property.

A High-quality Commercial Security Window Film

Understand the Core Difference: Safety vs Security Film

At a glance, both safety and security films are applied to glass to hold it together and reduce harm. But they’re built differently and are designed for distinct roles. Safety film is primarily concerned with injury prevention, while security film adds an extra layer of protection against break-ins or forced entry.

Here’s how they compare:

  • Safety Film:
    • Thinner (typically 4 mil or less)
    • Designed to keep shattered glass in place during accidents
    • Ideal for public-facing areas or interior glass
    • Reduces the risk of injury from flying shards
  • Security Film:
    • Thicker (often 8 mil or more)
    • Offers resistance to impact from break-in attempts
    • Slows down intruders by holding the glass in place
    • Suited to ground-floor windows or areas with high theft risk

Choosing between them depends on whether your main concern is protecting people from injury or protecting property from crime.

How Safety Film Helps Reduce Workplace Injuries

Safety film is designed to hold broken glass together when it shatters. This makes it ideal for internal partitions, meeting rooms, or retail spaces where people frequently come into close proximity to glass. If a door is slammed, a shelf falls, or a customer bumps into a panel, safety film helps prevent shards from scattering.

It’s especially important in areas with:

  • Floor-to-ceiling windows
  • Glass doors or sliding panels
  • High pedestrian traffic
  • Schools, aged care, and health facilities

Benefits of safety film in the workplace:

  • Keeps broken glass intact to reduce laceration risk
  • Complies with glass safety standards
  • Adds a layer of protection without altering appearance
  • Low-maintenance and long-lasting once applied

How Security Film Acts as a Break-In Deterrent

Security film enhances security by increasing the time and effort required to breach a window or glass door. It’s not bulletproof — but when paired with quality locks and frames, it makes forced entry significantly harder.

An opportunistic thief wants a quick smash-and-grab. If the glass doesn’t give way easily, they’ll likely move on.

Security film is often used on:

  • Retail shopfronts and display windows
  • Offices with street-facing glass
  • Glass doors in low-visibility areas
  • Storage or server rooms with glass access

Advantages of installing security film:

  • Slows down break-ins and reduces smash-and-grab risk
  • Reinforces existing glass without replacing it
  • Remains clear and unobtrusive
  • Can be combined with tinting for privacy and glare control

What to Consider When Choosing Film Thickness

The thicker the film, the more force it can resist — but that doesn’t mean thicker is always better. It depends on your business risk profile.

Here’s a guide to common film thicknesses:

Film Type Typical Thickness Best For
Basic Safety Film 2–4 mil Injury prevention, internal glass
Entry-Level Security Film 6–8 mil Low-risk commercial spaces
High-Grade Security Film 10–14+ mil High-risk areas, sensitive assets

 

Choosing the right thickness depends on:

  • Threat level (accidental impact vs forced entry)
  • Location (internal vs external glass)
  • Building height and access points
  • Compliance with workplace safety regulations

Glass Protection Film in High-Traffic Commercial Spaces

In busy environments like schools, clinics, retail centres or shared office spaces, even non-deliberate breakages can be dangerous. Safety and security films act as silent protectors, keeping broken glass intact and reducing disruption during incidents.

Ideal use cases include:

  • Entryways and revolving doors
  • Internal glass walls and stair railings
  • Childcare centres and medical rooms
  • Waiting areas near windows

Film benefits in these areas:

  • Safer glass for staff and customers
  • Reduces potential liability in the event of accidents
  • Can be applied with minimal disruption to business hours

Why Commercial Window Tinting Adds More Than Just Security

Security and safety are important, but they’re not the only benefits. Some businesses opt for multi-purpose films that also provide solar protection, making workspaces more comfortable and reducing glare on screens.

When combined with solar film, you can expect:

  • Heat rejection that reduces indoor temperatures
  • UV filtering to protect interiors from fading
  • Reduced glare for better screen visibility
  • Improved comfort without heavy curtains or blinds

Tinted films can provide:

  • Up to 99% UV protection
  • Significant glare reduction
  • Better energy efficiency in glass-heavy offices

Custom Solutions: Frosted, Printed or Tinted?

For businesses seeking privacy, branding, or a more polished appearance, film doesn’t have to be just about safety. You can combine functional layers with decorative finishes or custom prints to create a unique look.

Popular combinations include:

  • Safety film + frosted finish for private meeting rooms
  • Security film + digital printing for branding or signage
  • Tinted film + logo decals on shopfronts

This layered approach enables you to solve multiple issues with a single solution — from reducing heat to reinforcing glass and elevating your brand.

Professional Installation Matters More Than You Think

Window film is only as effective as its installation. Poorly fitted film can bubble, peel, or leave gaps that compromise performance — especially when security is the goal. Proper installation also ensures your film meets any compliance or warranty conditions.

Risks of poor installation:

  • Reduced impact resistance or peel-back during break-ins
  • Premature wear and reduced lifespan
  • Visual imperfections that affect your business presentation
  • Wasted investment if the film fails

What to expect from a professional installer:

  • Clean, seamless application
  • Proper edge bonding for security film
  • Warranty-backed materials and workmanship
  • Guidance on the right film for your business needs

Boost Your Business Safety With Us

At Andres Mobile Tinting, we help you choose and install the right glass protection for your space — whether you need to deter break-ins or protect people from injury. We offer professional installation of safety and security film, along with solar, frosted, and printed solutions to suit your workspace. Please contact us by phone or visit our contact page to discuss which film would be best for your business.