Upgrading existing glazing to increase burglary resistance

The Department of Structural Engineering, in collaboration with SiLATEC Sicherheits- und Laminatglastechnik GmbH, is developing an innovative polycarbonate retrofit solution for existing glazing systems designed to enhance resistance to manual attack—offering a more effective alternative to conventional laminated glass.

Most existing buildings often lack burglar-resistant glazing. Due to the rise in burglaries in Germany, demand in this area is increasing. The required resistance class against manual attack is therefore to be achieved for existing glazing by installing an additional polycarbonate panel.

However, the cost-effective implementation of this retrofit is only possible through a process that allows for on-site installation. An innovative lamination technique enables the development of application-specific cross-sections by applying the additional polycarbonate panel to the existing glazing.