Bulletproof doors perform the dual-purpose of protecting against penetration by ballistics and blasts, while also functioning as a normal entryway. Products that prioritize security above all else can sacrifice some of the important day-to-day functionalities that are essential for normal working conditions: employees must be able to communicate with consumers through transaction windows; pedestrians will want to see through the windows of shopfronts. These are simple indicators that business is carrying on as usual – indicators that can be inhibited by subpar bulletproof goods.
Let’s look at bulletproof glass. Ballistic-resistant windows are heavier than standard components, and the underlying materials are significantly more expensive. Polymer-glass laminates can be difficult to cut and to size, and they must be paired with a suitable framing material to offer a complete security solution. Because of the increased cost and installation difficulties associated with ballistic-resistant windows, cosmetic appearance can be relegated to an afterthought. Obtrusive bulletproof products may assist with security, but they can also deter customers or contribute to an overly militarised and unwelcoming aesthetic.
The cost of bulletproof doors is generally not as severe as that of storefronts and transaction accessories comprising multiple layers of bulletproof glass. However, customers looking to integrate bulletproof doors into existing architectures still often have functionality concerns.
How heavy are bulletproof doors? Will they inhibit day-to-day operations? What conditions can a high-quality bulletproof door reliably withstand? This blog post aims to answer all of those questions and more.
Outlining Bulletproof Doors
Put simply, bulletproof doors are secure entryways comprised of advanced ballistic-resistant materials, typically veneered wood or cold-rolled steel.
Armortex uses a close grain hardwood like red oak for a high-quality opaque finish on our veneered wood bulletproof doors, with a solid core construction comprising a composite material reinforced with two faces of thick veneer. Our steel bullet-resistant doors comprise Hi-hard ballistic steel in a hollow assembly filled with foam insulation and a composite of equivalent ballistic-resistance (UL rating).
Read More: Bulletproof Doors for Domestic Markets
These assemblies are supported by door frames with equivalent UL ratings and continuous gear hinges of heavy-duty clear anodized aluminum. We can hang doors in customer-specified fixtures at the factory, including cylinder and mortise lockset devices. This enables you to optimize your bulletproof door to your needs. The continuous gear hinge is particularly suited to high-traffic entrances, using a unique gear tooth mesh beneath a cap that runs the full length of the hinge. Personnel can easily pass through these entryways all day, every day without experiencing notable discomfort from the weight of the door. With a choice of clear glazing vision panels – which are also UL-matched to the bullet-resistance of the door itself – daily operations can carry on as normal. These include:
- View Lite
- Half Lite
- Full Lite
- Slim Lite
- Double Lite
With regards to the conditions that bulletproof doors can withstand, Armortex has manufactured doors that are FEMA-certified. This means we can engineer bullet-resistant doors and entryways for UL levels 1-8 and above, offering substantial protection from blasts, impacts, and high wind speeds.
If you would like any more information about the day-to-day functionalities of our high-performance bulletproof doors, simply contact a member of the Armortex team today.
