Transit agencies use the stuff on their fleets and bus shelters. It works amazingly well on fixed glass where the edges are bonded. In moveable glass, it probably would still allow the full broken window to just be folded over to gain access.

 

I would imagine self-installation would turn out about as good as self-installation of window tint. Some things are worth paying specialists to do.

 

If the film was is effective as laminated side windows, it will make it more difficult for you or a responder to break the glass to get out in an accident. Trade offs. That being said, laminated side windows are increasingly common in vehicles due to NHTSA ejection mitigation safety standards. I suspect that is why the Transits have those nice side canopy airbags. FWIW - I think laminated glass is (was?) available on rows 2-4 on passenger van but not the front windows.

I'd probably go the the 3M site to look for an installer of their material.

Here is a post with a lot of other "discussion" on security measures. Don't recall anything about security film.
Can we talk locks/security for a minute?

 

Every drawer is built like a armored bank vault, One combination lock unlocks all of the drawers.

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Every drawer is built like a armored bank vault.

 

My current (non-Transit) van just was a victim of a smash-and-grab event (driver's window smashed, they took a bag with lots of personal gear and irreplaceable personal items... but not a wallet, cash, or credit cards). I never want to go through this again.

I have a 2022 HR Transit on order and it has no windows except windshield, drivers side and passenger side. I'm thinking that getting those two side windows protected with the shatter-resistant window film (3M or another vendor/brand).

Anyone have experience with installing the film themself? Any brand a preference?

Sorry to hear this, but I hear it often actually.

This is very difficult to stop. Some people will use a strong divider behind the seats to increase the amount of time it takes to go in through the front doors and into the back.

If they didn't take your credit cards, it was because they took photos of them and are getting ready to hack in and are really good at it. Trust me - I know.

In Oakland, the problem is so bad that people are leaving their vehicles unlocked with the windows down - because it is too difficult to get replacement glass.

 

A bit off target, but a looong time ago, I had a van where the passenger side window was broken and everything but my hiking boots (wrong size?) was taken. It was the night before I was leaving for a month to visit friend in New Mexico (from the East Coast). I had to cancel my trip and put some cardboard in the window. One week later, I was at a Grateful Dead show and I come out after the show and Ace The Dog is running the streets. Wouldn't you know, they broke the Driver Side window and took the tools I had just bought (to replace stolen ones). Cardboard was still in the passenger side window!!!! And obviously Ace The Dog probably licked their face while they were taking the tools.

Trueness.

 

I know the 3M Ceramic films on all the windows ( *including windshield) provide some degree of "glass scatter protection".....but I wanted it for heat rejection more so than security.

I will say----it makes the (filmed) interior side more reflective. Particularly noticeable night driving, and even more so on rain glossed night drives. Sometimes enough to cause an "Oh ****!" moment only to realize it was an illusion.

 

I know the 3M Ceramic films on all the windows ( *including windshield) provide some degree of "glass scatter protection".....but I wanted it for heat rejection more so than security.

I will say----it makes the (filmed) interior side more reflective. Particularly noticeable night driving, and even more so on rain glossed night drives. Sometimes enough to cause an "Oh ****!" moment only to realize it was an illusion.

I don't have the ceramic tint on the side windows, and get that effect often. In fact,i remember seeing ghost cars was the van was new with no tint. I chalked it up to the large, straight vertical windows.

 

Kevvyd, that is very good to know. I had been considering the film and MrNomer gets quite disturbed by distractions in his peripheral vision. Thanks for saving me a big hassle and a lot of money.

 

The windshield is the biggest heat source as it's angled and quite large. I have noticed the ghost car effect on the stock side windows, and have had no issues with vision, day or night with the windshield ceramic tinted.

And the car is significantly cooler when returning to it being parked in the sun, and makes a noticeable difference driving on a hot, sunny day.

 

Thanks everyone for your comments. Really helpful

 

Besides MrNomer, two things would hold me back from doing the windshield.

1. We are presently on our third windshield (rocks). This could get very expensive.

2. We sometimes very effectively heat shower water on the dash. Even in winter, we've gotten water so hot we had to cool it down before using it.

 

W

My current (non-Transit) van just was a victim of a smash-and-grab event (driver's window smashed, they took a bag with lots of personal gear and irreplaceable personal items... but not a wallet, cash, or credit cards). I never want to go through this again.

I have a 2022 HR Transit on order and it has no windows except windshield, drivers side and passenger side. I'm thinking that getting those two side windows protected with the shatter-resistant window film (3M or another vendor/brand).

Anyone have experience with installing the film themself? Any brand a preference?

Hey Kmurphy, bummer to hear about this. That person is a real jerk. Keepsake items are painful to have stolen.

I spent the weak going over ideas with other forum owners on how to secure the van, and then googled "ford transit window laminate" and came across your post from just last month. I had previously ruled out laminates because after breaking them partway, they can be pushed in. But they do make it a real hassle for a thief since it all takes time and makes noise. The downside is you then have a really expensive laminate to replace. The good ones aren't cheap. I think I was quoted a few thousand for the front windows and windshield, and as others pointed out, rocks hit the windshield all the time. Come to think, maybe the laminate would help with that actually.

Anyhow, with enough of us on the forum, we all collectively ought to be able to come up with some kind of deterrent at the front windows. That seems to be the most common smash and grab weak point.

I have a few questions if you're willing to help answer them. No worries if not. And none of these are intended to blame you in any way. This was 100% some jerk's fault. These are just to help me learn:

Did it appear the door had been opened (i.e. reach inside, grab the door handle)? Or was it still latched and locked?

If it was locked and they never opened the door, then presumably the alarm never went off. Do you know if the alarm went off?

Were the items stolen within arms reach of the broken window?

Was there a window covering installed (heat/privacy) and/or do you have your windows tinted? If not, do you know if the item was visible through the window?

When (time of day) and where did this occur? Big city parking lot, overnight street parking in a suburb while staying in a friend's house/apartment, trailhead while out backpacking/hiking?

Thanks for any info you can provide. It'll help others learn what little we can do to avoid this. Theft is becoming very common here in the US, especially with these big vans.

Cheers.