Cost & Pricing of a Bulletproof Glass System

Mar. 07, 2024

Some of the most common questions we receive are about the cost of adding bullet-resistant barriers to a facility. The best way to get an estimate for your project is to speak with an expert who can provide exact figures. If you’re not ready to get a formal quote, our most popular bulletproof products usually fall into this price range:
A bulletproof door costs roughly $5,000
Level 1 bulletproof glass costs starts at $50 per square foot, not including framing or installation fees

However, most businesses, facilities, and organizations need more protection than a simple bulletproof door or pane of bulletproof glass. Using a systems approach, we help our customers assess potential threats and design a bulletproof system that offers comprehensive protection. These systems can range from small and relatively straightforward to large and complex—keep reading to learn more about pricing for different types of bulletproof systems for commercial buildings.

Small Bulletproof System Starting Cost: $7,000-$10,000

Relatively small bulletproof systems are ideal for ticket windows, small retail settings like gas stations, and other reception areas. A typical small bulletproof system usually includes:

Ballistic fiberglass would be used to reinforce the surrounding walls, and a steel bullet-resistant door would restrict entry into the secure area.

The cost of a minimal system like this will start at $7,000 to $10,000, not including installation.

A Mid-Size Bullet-Resistant Barrier System Starting Cost: $15,000-$25,000

More comprehensive barrier systems are usually more complex and customized. Mid-size systems are ideal for larger convenience stores, gas stations, or bank branches. These facilities typically have at least two registers and exterior-facing windows to secure.

Each register would be enclosed in a bulletproof glass booth. This booth would include:

Many convenience stores choose sliding windows, although there are many different styles of bulletproof transaction windows to choose from. Each hardened point-of-payment will be accessible through a bulletproof door, which would likely be equipped with an electronic keypad or buzzer system. This type of project would also include replacing the exterior windows with bulletproof glass and a weather-resistant framing system.

The cost of this type of mid-range bulletproof system is roughly $15,000 to $25,000.

High-End Bulletproof System Starting Cost: $30,000

Large, high-end bulletproof systems usually include many different components built into the building. Despite these being some of the largest and most involved types of projects we handle, they’re often invisible to everyday users. For example, many government buildings have bullet-resistant glass reinforcing every exterior window and ballistic fiberglass lining every interior and exterior wall. Some corporate entryways are constructed entirely from bulletproof glass and framing that can be locked down at the push of a button.

Systems like these tend to start at $30,000 and can range into hundreds of thousands of dollars.

What About Bulletproof Glass Installation Costs?

The cost of your bulletproof glass installation depends on who you choose as your installation provider. Many people opt to work with a local contractor to install their bulletproof project. If you select this option, you’ll have to factor their quote into the total system cost. TSS also offers installation services no matter where you live in the country. Most of our systems can be installed overnight to avoid any major disruptions to your business. Your installation costs will depend on the scope of your project, so please contact us for more details.

TSS Is Ready to Quote Out the Cost of Your Bulletproof Barrier System Project

If you have questions about the cost of a bulletproof door or bulletproof window, don’t wait to contact us. For decades, our team has helped organizations across the country secure their facilities. We’ve designed, fabricated, and installed over 25,000 bulletproofing projects and have what it takes to create an effective system that looks great in your space. Once we understand your needs, our team can provide you with a detailed estimate that includes the cost of any bulletproof glass, bulletproof doors, and bulletproof accessories you might need.

The product pricings are approximations only and are not intended to replace the quoting process. TSS cannot guarantee that the pricing here will be reflected in your official project quote.

Riot Glass is one of the most cost-effective security glazing solutions on the market. Our Riot Glass retrofit solutions often don’t require us to remove or replace your existing glass, which means less time and labor go into installation — resulting in lower costs for you.

Although the price of Riot Glass varies on a case-by-case basis, the cost-to-benefit ratio of Riot Glass is the best you will encounter among all the security glazing products available on the market.

What Factors Affect Riot Glass Price?

Each Riot Glass retrofit security glazing solution is highly customized to meet each customer’s security needs and budget. Because of this, there are many factors that go into determining how much Riot Glass costs.

Some of the most important factors our Riot Glass price estimates are based on are:

Glazing infill material (i.e., glass-clad polycarbonate or full polycarbonate)
Whether the glazing is ballistic grade (UL 752 rated) or non bullet resistant
Type of security framing requested/required
Number/size of windows and doors to be retrofitted
Scope/complexity of installation work

How can I get a Riot Glass price quote?

We always recommend starting with a threat assessment for your property to determine the scope of the security glazing retrofit required.

A threat assessment is a special type of security analysis in which a security expert thoroughly inspects your building to identify vulnerabilities. They then make specific recommendations about what type of security glazing is needed and where to install it.

Once you have conducted a threat assessment, we will be better able to provide you with the most accurate Riot Glass price estimate based on your specific security requirements.

During a free consultation, we will discuss your goals in terms of design and budget and work hand in hand with you to find a solution that meets your unique specifications.

A Riot Glass price quote may include costs for a combination of any of the following products:

Riot Glass RG Series security laminates
ArmorPlast® AP Series polycarbonate security glazing
AG Series all-glass doors
ArmorPlast® Gen I or Gen II Series security framing
J Series sub framing
Riot Glass insulated glass units (IGUs)

Within each of the product categories listed above, there is a wide variation in pricing based on size, thickness, materials, and the other factors we mentioned earlier.

What other security glazing products cost (for comparison to a Riot Glass price quote)

While we can’t give you a specific price estimate for a Riot Glass retrofit until we have consulted with you about your specific project, we can give you some ideas of what other types of security glazing cost.

Keep in mind that these are just ballpark estimates for general security glazing product categories:

Security window film: $14 to $16 per square foot
Protective glass systems: $40 to $75 per square foot
UL 752 Level 1 ballistic-grade glass: $200+ per square foot

Riot Glass Price: Is It Worth It?

As we touched on earlier, the cost-to-benefit ratio of Riot Glass makes it well worth choosing over any of the other security glazing products out there.

Because we have such a comprehensive range of retrofit security glazing solutions, Riot Glass can work for almost any budget.

While traditional forced entry and burglary prevention solutions, such as window bars and grates, are typically cheaper than a security glazing retrofit, they aren’t worth it for a number of reasons.

For starters, these solutions are unsightly and hurt the curb appeal of your business, which can affect the bottom line of many types of businesses (especially luxury retailers).

These traditional solutions also block out natural light and reduce visibility, which means they simply don’t work for many commercial buildings (like glass office buildings) because of their modern aesthetics and architecture.

Finally, bars and grates don’t cover your existing glass all the way. So, even though they may prevent forced entry, your glass doors and windows are still prone to being vandalized, resulting in expensive glass replacement.

Riot Glass creates an invisible, incredibly robust barrier over your existing glass, protecting it from all types of impacts.

Riot Glass starts paying you back your investment by keeping your glass intact the first time your property is subjected to any of the following:

Forced entry and burglary attempts
Smash-and-grab theft attempts
Rioting and attempted looting
Vandalism
Storm damage (impacts from flying storm debris)

Even if an impact does damage your Riot Glass, reglazing the affected area with new security glazing is much more cost-effective than replacing the original glass.

Additionally, since Riot Glass doesn’t significantly alter the appearance of your building, block out natural light, or reduce visibility, it doesn’t affect how you attract customers or change the way you do business.

In short, Riot Glass fortifies your property, without making it look fortified.

How else can Riot Glass pay itself off?

Besides the high-level security Riot Glass provides, it can also give you a return on your investment in another big way — by making your building more energy efficient.

When you retrofit glazing on top of your existing glass, you’re essentially adding a pane of glass. In other words, it turns single-pane windows into double-pane windows, or double-pane windows into triple-pane windows.

As you may already know, the more panes of glass your windows and doors have, the better they are at blocking out heat from the sun and retaining the cool air from your HVAC systems, which translates to better energy efficiency (and more indoor comfort).

If improved energy efficiency is one of your primary goals, you might also consider one of our Riot Glass insulated glass units. These are sealed units with two or more panes of glazing and an air or gas infill for optimal insulation (and, of course, security).

Ready To Get Started with Riot Glass?

Our team of security glass experts is always available to discuss any questions and concerns you may have and find the best solution for your security needs and budget. Contact us today for a free consultation.