It is remarkable to see so many smash and grab break ins through doors. This leads me to believe that it’s the opportunistic criminal thinking it’s the way into a store? Besides, how many people would walk through a window?
Doors pretty much the weakest point of any building, Retail stores most commonly have glass aluminum doors. Their entrances maybe single doors, double doors, bi parting swing doors or bi parting sliding doors. Obviously the glass in the door is an easy target for quick smash and grab.
The options to protect the glass on the door
1. Apply security film to the glass
2. Replace the glass with a product like a clear polycarbonate.
3. Mount bars to the doors
4. Install security gates inside the store
Security Film on doors is a way to invisibly strengthen the glass, the applying of the film should be done by professionals to ensure it is applied and secured to the door properly. The down side to window film is because it is invisible you may still encounter an attempt; this will again be costly to replace broken glass as well as the film. Window film will not prevent the doors from being pried open either.
Using a polycarbonate replacement to the glass will scratch and discolor over time, It is more noticeable than window film, and could be attempted and damaged as well. Polycarbonates will not prevent to doors from being pried open.
The mounting of security bars to the doors will help deter a smash and grab, but will not help when the doors are pried open, as it too will swing with the doors. The extra weight put onto the door may cause hinging and alignment issues over time. Remember that your customers will look at the bars coming into and leaving your store.
Security gates mounted inside of the store are a good option, as they provide a strong bold visual deterrent against smash and grab break in attempts, they also retract and fold away so not to visually distract your customers.
All Glass aluminum doors rely on the strength of the aluminum frames when they are attacked with a pry bar. The force of a pry bar will shear the aluminum frame or opposing door if bi parting sliding doors. When considering security for the doors, look at it as if they have penetrated the doors……and now what happens? Alarms sound, Video surveillance recording…………….or do they have to deal with a second layer of defense like scissor gates while alarm sirens are going off and the authorities have been dispatched ?
Today opportunistic thieves do not spend time picking locks, or spinning cylinders. Upgrading your locks and using identified keys stamped with do not duplicate will help with key control. Slip rings can be added to prevent someone from spinning the lock. Strike plates can also help protect that area of the door.
Once you have your doors properly secured, the next security risks are the windows. The windows may be protected with the same above 4 options.
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