Article Summary
- Understand the difference between fiberglass vs steel ballistic panels when it comes to safe rooms, commercial, and home security.
- Gain a clearer understanding of bullet-resistant wall panel pricing by learning which factors have the biggest impact on price.
- Find out how UL 752 ratings affect both the safety and price of security wall panels.
Determining the real-world fiberglass bulletproof panels price involves a fair amount of variables: material costs, safety rating levels, cost of labor, and the type of installation required. In this guide, we’ll walk you through these variables to help you gain a clearer understanding of what it might cost to protect your home against ballistic threats. When it comes to providing your family with a sense of safety, spending your budget wisely is essential, and we’re here to help!
How Much Does It Cost to Bulletproof A Wall?
There are many factors to consider before you can get a clear idea of how much a bulletproof wall costs. You must also ask yourself a series of questions to determine better what your security needs are and how much protection you need. Whether you’re installing safe room wall panels or shoring up the safety of your front entryway, the cost of the project will come into play as soon as the design stage.
Are you planning for protection in a high-risk area or seeking general peace of mind? Your answer to this question will impact the level of protection you need, and therefore, the overall cost. Not sure how much protection you need from your bullet-resistant panels for home? Reach out to our team of professionals at Shield Security Door to learn more about the different types of bullet-resistant fiberglass wall panels to find the perfect fit for your needs.
What Are Bullet-Resistant Wall Panels Made Of?
When looking up “How to build a bulletproof room?” you’ll often find recommendations for using bullet-resistant materials in the walls or on top of your existing walls. When retrofitting to existing construction, it’s best to lay a new bullet-resistant material for your wall on top. There are many different types of bullet-resistant wall panels for home use on the market, including:
- Fiberglass woven bullet-resistant panels
- Steel panels
- Kevlar wall panels
- Ballistic composites
One of the key differences between these types of materials is their cost. Many people wonder about which material to use when considering fiberglass vs steel ballistic panels. Fiberglass is the most commonly chosen material due to how cost-effective it is for multiple reasons. Not only is fiberglass relatively lightweight and therefore easier to install, but it is also highly effective for UL 752 levels 1 through level 8. We’ll cover more about what UL 752 Ballistic Level ratings mean and how they’re determined in the next section.
Beyond effectiveness, there are also a few other questions to keep in mind when choosing what type of bulletproof walls for homes would be best for your situation. Will the space you are protecting be visible to a visitor in a living room or hidden in a bedroom? Are you looking for visible threat deterrence or a material and design that blends with your existing aesthetic?
Understanding UL 752 Ballistic Rating Levels and Cost Impact
In general, UL 752 Listed Bullet Resistance Protection Levels are the industry standard when it comes to determining how effective a material is at stopping specific types of firearms and firearm ammunition. The levels correspond to different types of guns and rounds, with lower levels being rated for different types of handguns, increasing to higher levels of rifles. A good rule of thumb is that higher levels require thicker materials, therefore increasing the overall cost of the home security wall panels.
Here’s our example price ranges by level so you can gain a clearer understanding of the UL 752 wall panel pricing:
- Level 1–3: $45–$80 per sq. ft.
- Level 4–6: $90–$130 per sq. ft.
- Level 7–8: $150+ per sq. ft.
| UL 752 Level 3 | UL 752 Level 8 | |
| 4×4’ Bedroom Closet | $10,000 | $20,000 |
| 15×15’ Bedroom | $18,000 | $30,000 |
| 1500 sq. ft Home | $120,000 | $220,000 |
| 2500 sq. ft Home | $200,000 | $375,000 |
Shield Security Doors offers UL 752 Level 3 wall panels (covering all handguns) and Level 8 (covering all rifles). You can read more about UL 752 levels explained in our article about the standard. For most home safety situations in low-risk areas, Level 3 bullet-resistant fiberglass panels provide enough protection to buy you much-needed time in the case of emergencies.
Can You Make Walls Bulletproof?
Ballistic proofing is a complex and specialized process! It’s always best to go with the highest level that meet your needs, knowing that the higher level of ballistic proofing provides more integrity and strength to the wall panel overall.
The best level of protection will depend on what caliber threats you want to protect against – handguns or rifles? When ordering bullet-resistant panels for businesses, it’s key to assess your risks and threats in order to determine the best level for your needs.
Factoring Installation Costs and Other Variables
Labor costs for installation will vary depending on whether you go with a do-it-yourself approach or leave the installation to trusted professionals. The fiberglass wall panels we use is most similar in installation and handling to conventional drywall, albeit heavier. The type of wall, as well as the total coverage area, are key factors in the total cost. Specific considerations for your type of installation, such as retrofitting to an existing room, can also increase costs when compared to working with a new build. Another factor to consider is that panels are typically cut on-site; having a contractor familiar with ballistic materials will help reduce overall time, money, and material waste.
Many costs associated with a total installation of fiberglass wall panels are often overlooked. This can include fasteners, backer boards, wall reinforcement, and finishing touches. All of these are required components to ensure the quality and long-term durability of your fiberglass wall panels.
When estimating costs, one of the most important questions to ask is: Is this a new build or a retrofit? This will have a significant impact on the overall cost of your project, especially when working towards ballistic protection for commercial buildings.
Other Factors That Influence Your Final Cost
Before you start your project, you’ll want to determine how much panelling you’ll need to cover your entire area while still accounting for waste before you order. When ordering bullet-resistant wall panels for sale, bulk orders often reduce per-unit pricing, allowing you to get the best deal. The weight of the panels depends on the resistance level and shipping costs can add up quickly and must be accounted for in addition to the ballistic panel cost per square foot.
Another factor to consider is that any customization you require will increase the overall cost of your panels. Integrations with windows, cut-outs for electrical outlets, and extra modifications to meet specific safety regulations can all have an impact on the final installation cost. Fiberglass panels are designed to be cut and modified in the field during installation, however this does add time and labor to the installation process. If you’re ordering panels for a regulated industry, will you require documented certification as well? Make sure you have all your needs mapped out before placing an order to cut down on your final cost.
Know What You’re Paying For
In the end, you’ll want to keep in mind all of the factors that go into the total cost of your ballistic wall panels. One of the most crucial indicators of cost will be which UL 752 ballistic rating you go for – the higher levels of protection increase the price due to the complexity and weight of the panels. Specific ordering concerns, such as customization, regulations, and total order count, will also increase your final cost.
When looking to maximize your budget, balance the level of protection you need with what you can afford to pay. When asking “Are bulletproof panels worth it?” it will come down to how big your budget is for home security. If you’re not sure about the specifics of your needs, our team at Shield Security Doors is happy to help you. Reach out today to learn more about our fiberglass wall panels and how they can add a layer of protection to your residential or commercial property effectively.
