What Is Security Window Film And Do You Need It For Your Car?

Photo by Prateek Katyal from Pexels

Most Malaysians are familiar with tint films for their cars. But what about security window film instead? What security does it provide you and your passengers?

Automotive security window film works by keeping the window intact even when it’s being struck. Because of that, it protects you and your valuables against smash-and-grab robberies and also vandalism. The film also reduces your risk of injury during an accident by stopping your windows from shattering and preventing flying objects from entering the car and hurting you. 

In this guide, you’ll discover everything you need to know about this window film and how it can help keep your car, its occupants, and any valuables inside safer.

What Is Automotive Security Window Film?

Firstly, we need to understand what security film is all about. Clarifying the term is crucial to avoid any confusion, seeing as how there are other types of automotive window films on the market today.

Simply put, what we’re discussing here is a type of film applied to your car windows that protects them from being broken into. In doing so, it reduces the chances of smash-and-grab attacks on your car wherever it might be, like in a parking lot or while stopped at a traffic light.

Security window film has many similarities to the car tinting film that you might already be familiar with. In addition, those two features are often combined in the same film, i.e., tinting film with security features or security film with different tinting levels you can choose from.

This type of film doesn’t just apply to cars. Instead, you’ll also find it used in architecture to provide regular windows with the same protection against break-ins.

How Does Automotive Security Window Film Work?

Automotive security window film works in a very straightforward way. The film is designed to hold the window’s glass together even though it has been shattered into many smaller pieces.

So, if someone were to smash the window with a weapon or even a rock repeatedly, the window would stay intact and prevent them from gaining access to your vehicle.

As a result, the attacker will have a much more difficult time trying to get into your car or grab any valuables inside.

Of course, no security solution in the world is 100% effective. However, automotive security window film works as an effective deterrent for two reasons:

• First, the film makes it too challenging for an attacker to break into your car.

• The film delays the attacker, increasing the chances of getting seen and caught.

In simplest terms, security window film makes your vehicle a more challenging target to rob successfully.

Pros And Cons Of Automotive Security Window Film

Of course, automotive security window film has its fair share of benefits and drawbacks. Here are some of the pros and cons you can expect from investing in such a film:

Pro: Protect You Against Break-Ins And Vandalism

The primary purpose of security window film is just that, to provide increased protection for your car’s windows. So, the first and most important benefit of using this film is that it protects your vehicle from break-ins and vandalism.

The film achieves this by making your car much more challenging to break into. In other words, it slows down the attacker and increases their chances of getting caught, which also discourages them from trying to get into your car.

Pro: Extra Protection During Car Accidents

Remember: security film works by holding your car window intact, even though it has broken into many smaller pieces. So aside from protecting you against criminals, that same quality will also help you stay safe during a car accident.

Typically, a car accident can cause your vehicle’s windows to shatter. When that happens, you’re immediately exposed to a greater risk of injury; shattered glass can cut your skin or even blind your eyes.

At the same time, shattered windows will not provide you with any protection from any other dangerous objects that might fly into your car during an accident. For instance, rocks, debris, and other hard items can fly into the cabin during a major car accident and cause you further injury.

But if your windows are coated with security film, the risk of these dangers drops dramatically. That is because the security film keeps your window intact for much longer and prevents glass or other objects from hurting you inside the car.

Cons: Not Impenetrable

On the downside, however, no security solution is 100% perfect, and neither is this kind of security window film. Nevertheless, the film makes it difficult for someone to break into your car, which makes it an effective deterrent.

However, that will not stop a criminal who is exceptionally motivated to break into your car and steal your things. That’s especially true if your car is parked in a place where no one is around to hear them trying to break its window or even hear the sound of your car alarm.

Cons: Harder To Break When Necessary

Lastly, remember that there are situations where you want someone to be able to break into your car window easily. For example, imagine yourself in an emergency like a car accident where your doors are so damaged, they can’t open at all.

Or, imagine if your child or pet is trapped inside the car along with your keys, and there’s no way to get them out.

In those kinds of situations, breaking a window is the only solution. With security film, you can still break the window to get out or rescue whoever’s inside. However, that task becomes a lot more challenging to do.

Bottom Line: Do You Need Automotive Security Window Film?

So, considering the pros and cons mentioned above, is it still an excellent idea to invest in security window film for your car? The answer is yes. In this hot Malaysian climate, you’re likely to invest in window tinting to keep your car cool. 

With a little bit of extra investment, you can upgrade to a tint film that offers security features that will reduce your risk of theft, vandalism, and injury during an accident.