Hammerglass UK: Unbreakable Security Glazing

Hammerglass UK Professionals

If you’re looking for a way to fortify your property, then installing Hammerglass is a must. Hammerglass has a number of benefits over using traditional glass. Not only is it around 300 times stronger, but it’s around half as heavy. This lightweight material has the ability to strengthen your domestic or commercial premises and remove the vulnerability of your existing windows.

Our Hammerglass UK range has been accredited with the Secured By Design certification. This is a police-backed initiative which was developed to ‘design out crime’. Our Hammerglass products have also achieved BS EN 356, Security Class P8B: this is the highest safety rating possible for anti-burglary products such as grilles or shutters. How does our Hammerglass achieve this superior standard of protection? Well, the testing methods are incredibly rigorous and are designed by provide customers with maximum peace of mind that they’ve invested in the most advanced security technology in the market.

Standard types of glass must typically withstand 70 blows with an axe before being awarded the BS EN 356 accreditation. However, as premier Hammerglass suppliers, we are delighted to confirm that with our particular Hammerglass, 72 blows were used during testing at the Swedish National Testing and Research Institute. At this point, testing officials were forced to give up and use a forklift truck to remove the axe which was lodged in the Hammerglass.

Now that you understand how strong Hammerglass is, which parts of your building design is it most suited to?

If you work in the retail sector, then you’ll benefit from using Hammerglass UK products within your shop windows, or any other display cabinets which are used to showcase your merchandise. Hammerglass doesn’t just offer incredible security properties, it’s also aesthetically-pleasing too so will be an asset to any business.

Types of Hammerglass

We offer the following types of Hammerglass depending on the specific requirements of your business:

Hammerglass Single for Existing Frames

Hammerglass Single: appropriate when upgrading the glass in an existing building with this superior re-glazing product. Sash windows often use Hammerglass Single, replacing either the outer or inner pane. The thickness of single Hammerglass is 6mm, which will offer noise reduction of up to 30dBRw.

Hammerglass AB also produces Hammerglass Single in 8, 10 and 12 mm, and the EN 356 class depends on the specification, as the table below sets out. Panes can be cut to curved or irregular shapes, and oversized openings can be joined with a tongue and groove splice. Because it is fitted into the existing sash or frame, it suits older linked sashes, listed buildings and the protection of leaded glass in churches and cultural buildings.

Hammerglass Insulate for Double and Triple Glazing

Hammerglass Insulate: in this configuration, Hammerglass is used in combination with any other type of glass as either double or triple glazing. The Insulate product comes with a 5-year warranty from our Hammerglass suppliers.

Hammerglass normally forms the outer pane, and the other panes can be energy, solar control or laminated glass. Fitting Hammerglass as the inner pane instead helps protect occupants from splinter injuries in the event of an explosion. A lightly tinted version, Hammerglass IR, reduces heat by 45%.

Figures published by Hammerglass AB. HG = Hammerglass Clear, F = float glass, FE = float energy glass, 44.2E = laminated glass. Numbers show thickness or cavity in mm.

Hammerglass Add-On for Existing Windows

Hammerglass Add-on: instead of advertising that there is something worth stealing within your property, this version of Hammerglass is an entirely discreet alternative which can sit over an existing sash or frame.

Hammerglass AB calls this system “The Invisible Shutter”. A Hammerglass panel is bonded along its edge and screwed through a cold-rolled steel profile, then fixed internally or externally over existing fixed or opening windows and door sections. The profile also reinforces existing timber frames, and fitting it causes no further damage to the existing architecture. Panels are usually 6 or 8 mm, rising to 10 or 12 mm on larger windows, and profiles are available in any RAL or NCS colour.

• Add-On S: primarily for external security glazing, and can also be fitted internally.
• Add-On F: for internal security glazing and intermediate glazing in linked sashes.
• Add-On U: primarily for internal security glazing, can be fitted externally, and is also available in copper plate.

Hammerglass Reflect Mirrors

Hammerglass Reflect is the mirror version of the same material, used where a broken glass mirror would be a recurring cost or a safety problem, such as public toilets, changing rooms, lifts, sports facilities, prisons and psychiatric wards. See our Hammerglass unbreakable mirrors page for sizes and fixing options.

Figures published by Hammerglass AB. EN 356 classes apply to the tested glazing, not to the frame or wall around it. 6 mm panes are generally classed P7B, with P8B reached at 8 mm or with a laminated inner pane.

The Benefits of Installing Hammerglass

Property owners of both domestic and commercial buildings can enjoy multiple benefits of installing Hammerglass. These include:

• Superior security: safeguard your property, it’s assets and your personnel with this advanced security technology
• Effective barrier against smash and grab burglaries
• Secured By Design accreditation
• Shatter-proof glass: you won’t have to worry about the cost of replacing broken glass
• Versatile product to be used in all types of building, whether period or new-build.

Hammerglass AB’s published data adds some practical points for specifiers and facilities teams:

• Low weight: about 1.2 kg/m² per mm of thickness, so a 6 mm pane weighs around 7.2 kg/m². That makes re-glazing practical in frames that could not carry heavy laminated glass.
• Long service life: estimated at more than 40 years.
• A clear view: no bars or shutters in front of the window, so displays and premises stay visible.
• Sound and heat: Single and Add-On give noise reduction of 30 dBRw and improve the U-value of the existing window.
• Traceability: every pane is laser-marked with the Hammerglass logo and a production number.

Where Hammerglass Is Used

Hammerglass suits any location where glass is repeatedly broken, or where a window is the easiest way in. Hammerglass AB also produces panels for balustrades and roofing, so ask our team if your project calls for them.

Retail and Display Cabinets

Shop windows, entrance doors and display cabinets in jewellers, museums and other high-value settings. Add-On lets a shop keep its window display on view overnight. Our high-value retail security solutions page covers the wider retail picture.

Schools and Colleges

Vandalism to school property is a continuing issue. Several London schools and colleges that were repeat victims have engaged Premier Security to replace existing installations, with security options that include Hammerglass for windows and doors.

Public and Commercial Buildings

Shopping centres, local government property, sports facilities, police stations, offices, industrial premises, petrol stations, chemists and health centres.

Listed Buildings and Churches

Hammerglass Single keeps existing sashes and frames in place, and panels can sit in front of leaded and stained glass to protect it from vandalism. For new certified windows in heritage settings, see our security sash windows.

Homes

Hammerglass Insulate is also suitable for private homes. For high-risk residential projects, visit Premier Residential Security.

Hammerglass vs Ordinary Polycarbonate

Hammerglass and standard polycarbonate share the same core material. The difference is the coating, and it decides how the pane looks after years of sunlight, cleaning and abuse.

Source: Hammerglass AB.

Hammerglass in Premier Security’s Certified and Tested Products

Premier Security designs and manufactures its own security doors, screens and windows in the UK, and Hammerglass is built into several of them. That gives specifiers evidence for the complete product as well as the pane.

• LPCB certified hinged doorsets: 6 to 20 mm Hammerglass is among the certified infill options on selected doorsets to LPS 1175 Issue 7, Security Rating 2 (SR2), under LPCB certificate 1097a. Infill options vary by product.
• Curtain walling doorset: Hammerglass is a listed glazing option on the Jansen Façade-D10-Curtain Walling Doorset, certified to LPS 1175 Issue 8, D10 (SR4), under LPCB certificate 1097j.
• Ballistic glazing: build-ups incorporating Hammerglass have been tested to EN 1063 at BR4-NS and BR6-NS by D.J. Goode and Associates Ltd.
• Ballistic door assemblies: the Titan single leaf outward opening door has been tested to EN 1522/1523 at FB6-NS, incorporating BR6-NS glazing with Hammerglass.

Our LPS 1175 ratings guide explains how tool categories and delay times work, and our bullet resistant doors page covers the FB rated door range.

Bullet Resistant and Explosion Tested Hammerglass

For higher threats, Hammerglass AB combines laminated glass with a Hammerglass sheet. The result is thinner and lighter than a glass-only build-up at the same class, which matters most on sliding and swing doors.

Bullet Resistant Glazing to EN 1063

Hammerglass AB figures, tested by Beschussamt Ulm and certified to EN 1063. NS means no splinters.

A BR rating applies to the glazing only. A complete window or door needs its own FB rating to EN 1522/1523, and the frame-to-wall connection has to be detailed separately because that standard does not test it. Ballistic glazing is made to order, so Hammerglass AB advises allowing around 8 weeks. Our bullet resistant glass and bullet resistant windows pages cover Premier Security’s own BR and FB rated ranges.

Explosion Testing to EN 13124-2

Hammerglass AB tested panels in steel frames to EN 13124-2 at the Technical Research Institute of Sweden. A 12 mm Hammerglass panel withstood the pressure wave from 3 kg of TNT at 3 metres, and Hammerglass AB lists the 12 mm system against classes EXR1 and EXR2. The result applies to the panel in that steel frame.

EN 13124-2 is a separate standard from ISO 16933, and an EXR class does not convert to an EXV rating. Where a specification calls for ISO 16933, see our blast resistant glass range.

Getting an Accurate Hammerglass Quote

Most Hammerglass is made to size, so the price depends on the opening rather than a list rate. To help us quote accurately, send us:

• Opening sizes and shapes, with photos or drawings
• The frame type and condition, and whether each window is fixed or opening
• Whether you want to re-glaze, protect existing windows or install new ones
• The threat you are addressing, and any class named in the specification or by your insurer
• The location and site access, including whether the building is listed

Hammerglass AB specifies installation by recommended installers, so tell us early if you have your own contractor in mind.

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