The demand for bullet-resistant materials arises from the need to employ an effective means of security and protection. Bullet-resistant materials offer a defense against firearms and projectiles, so are commonly utilized in armor, vehicles, and buildings. No matter their intended purpose, the fact that bullet-resistant materials could make all the difference between safety and harm means they must work as required. That’s why it’s crucial to pick the right vendor. Our article will provide you with some advice on how to successfully move through bullet-resistant vendor selection and locate a vendor that can offer quality bullet-resistant materials.

What Sort Of Bullet-Resistant Materials Do You Need?

Firstly, you need to consider the type of materials you require. A wide variety of these materials are available, including:

  • Steel: Applied to armored vehicles and security doors, ballistic steel is a metal that’s undergone heat treatment and has been reinforced to improve its hardness. It’s durable and can withstand a number of shots, however it can also be quite cumbersome.
  • Bullet-Resistant Glass: Produced with various layers that’re both hard and soft. The harder layers, made out of materials like glass, help the energy of the bullet to spread out, while the softer layers, formed from materials like polycarbonate, are flexible and can take in more of the energy of the projectile, while also preventing it from traveling any further.
  • Fiberglass: Produced by weaving fine strands of glass before applying resin to bond them as a sheet. They’re normally utilized in wall panels within safe rooms or banks.

These are only a few examples of the bullet-resistant materials that exist. However each carries various attributes that may be useful in specific applications. Consider your own intended use carefully and pick a material that will complement it.

If you’re purchasing a bullet-resistant material, you also need to understand the threat types it will defend against. By defining the dangers your bullet-resistant material will meet, you will know what level of protection it requires.

Protection Levels

The protection levels of bullet-resistant materials will show the amount of defense they can deliver. A good vendor of bullet-resistant materials will ensure their products have either an Underwriters Laboratories (UL) rating or a different certification, for instance from the National Institute of Justice (NIJ), to demonstrate their quality and performance. With that said, a bullet-resistant material with a UL rating will have its capabilities defined under UL 752. This standard categorizes bullet-resistant materials into 1 of 10 categories. A higher level will indicate that the material will be able to remain robust against more dangerous projectiles. Make sure to understand which UL level would be best for your materials, as this could influence your selection.

Learn About Your Vendors

Take your time looking at different vendors and generating a list of those that have products of interest. Some vendors only have a certain type of bullet-resistant material available; others may offer a more diverse range. Try to find out as much as possible about the vendor, as well as the extent of their knowledge surrounding bullet-resistant materials. Vendor reviews are a great way of understanding if a vendor is the right one for you. Clients of the vendors may have offered feedback about how well the material performed. If you cannot find any reviews, you can also speak with the vendor to see if they have any references they can send.

Costs Vs Value

As you browse through the products on a vendor’s website, you may be thinking about how much they cost. Comparing the prices of different products can be helpful, as you can see whether you can find a good deal on the bullet-resistant material you need, however make sure to also think about the value of the materials. Consider what sort of return on investment you will receive by purchasing a product. Although a material may be more expensive, it could make up for these costs with its longevity.

Browse Through Our Bullet-Resistant Materials And Products

Uncovering a bullet-resistant material that will be effective in your project can take a long time. After all, you need to find a vendor who will provide you with an excellent product. We’d like to take a moment to recommend our own bullet-resistant products to you. With over 40 years’ experience in producing products that offer blast- and bullet-resistance for a range of different applications, from military bases to stores, we know that our wares can live up to your expectations. Consider the different options we have available, such as our bullet-resistant windows and doors, and, of course, if you have any questions feel free to reach out to us. We look forward to becoming your vendor of choice.