While Blast Resistant window systems have been used by the military for years in hostile locations, only recently have they been specified for installations here in the United States. The events of Oklahoma City and 9/11 have forever changed how we look at security and occupant safety.

While specifications can vary depending on the application, blast resistant systems consist of heavy duty aluminum extrusions loaded with steel and secured with specially designed anchoring systems. The glazing is typically made up of two different types of glass fabricated into a dual pane insulated unit. The outboard lite is usually tempered and can withstand initial forces before breaking. The inboard lite is a laminated glass with a thicker than normal inner-layer of a PVB (polyvinyl butyral). This inboard lite can break and deform without allowing glass fragments to enter the interior space.