Security & Safety Film Crisis

“The Evolution of Proper Anchoring of Doors”

Let me give you a bit of background. In 2001, the attack on our country created a heightened demand for security solutions, including safety and security films for windows and doors. At that time, we quickly realized there was a significant difference between anchoring film to windows versus doors. I’ll never forget an installation I did around 2006 for a jewelry store. A few weeks after we completed the job, the customer called, saying the security film didn’t stop the intruder. They had broken in through the door. That’s when we realized we had a serious issue on our hands.

After further investigation, we discovered that the film itself hadn’t failed; rather, it was the method used to anchor it. The film had been attached with structural silicone to the removable glazing stop on a door — a method still commonly considered acceptable. Unfortunately, this method has a HIGH FAILURE RATE. The real concern here is that some installation companies and manufacturers know this attachment method is weak, yet they continue to use and sell it. It’s disheartening, as their focus is solely on profit, with little regard for true safety and security. But I digress.

So, how can we securely anchor the film to the door frame? We set out to find a solution and discovered Pentagon Protection’s Zlock. However, another incident stands out in my memory — in 2011, we were tasked with applying security film and anchoring it for windows and doors at Sports Authority stores in the DFW area. The contractor insisted on using silicone to anchor the film to the glazing stop on the door. I warned them this method was prone to failure, but they told me, “That’s the specification, and that’s how we were trained.” I made it clear that I couldn’t take responsibility for that part of the project and that they would have to handle it themselves.

Sure enough, less than two months later, thieves tried to break into one of the windows. While the film held strong in the frame of the window, they managed to break in through the door without much effort. It was then that they asked us to anchor the film using the Zlock system. But we ran into a logistical issue because the doors were sliders, and the thickness of the product interfered with their operation, leading to further complications. If only we had ZSecure (ZSecureforDoors.com) back then!

Going back a few years to the 2008 economic collapse, many of my customers were desperately seeking a way to secure their home doors. But all the available options were bulky, unattractive, and untested.

Fast forward to early 2015, when I was talking to a friend who is an IP illustrator. I said, “We need to brainstorm and come up with a solution to this problem.” After hanging up the phone, the idea hit me. I went home, took apart my squeeze frame doors, took some measurements, and then called my metal fabricator friend. He fabricated a metal solution, my team applied the film, and properly anchored it.

In March 2015, we even had a “glass-breaking party” at my house to test our solution. My wife quickly told me, “No more of that!” Shortly after, in November 2015, we filed for our provisional patent. Our patent attorney came to visit and congratulated us on our first patent application — but then jokingly said, “Now go figure out how to get around it.” I turned around, looked at our front door, and said, “Uh-oh.”

That’s when ZSecure for commercial doors was born. Our first ZSecure project was at a private school in Frisco, TX. For safety reasons, we keep all of our projects confidential.

In March 2023, I founded Secure Glass Pros, Inc., inspired by my wife, Sophia, who came up with the name. By June 2023, we had already secured around 1,500 doors exclusively for our clients. That’s when I met Robert McElroy and showed him the video of our first test at Intertek Labs in Plano, TX. When he asked me what we were doing with ZSecure, I explained we were just keeping it for our clients to ensure their doors were properly anchored. He made me an offer, and I accepted.

Now, we’re sharing our proper anchoring system ZSecure with the world!

Unfortunately, there are some detractors who are upset because we’re exposing over 25 years of incorrect methods. They know who they are, and they should be ashamed. Their focus is entirely on profit, and they couldn’t care less about safety.

We’ve now partnered with 15 dealers across the country, successfully anchoring over 5,000 doors, and we’re just getting started. For those schools and facilities that have their doors improperly anchored, you don’t have to redo your security film. We can retrofit your doors to make them secure and more aesthetically pleasing.

Tim Miller

President – Security Glass Pros, Inc. / Inventor – ZSecure for Doors

Tim: The inventor of ZSecure for Doors, has been in the window film industry since 1984. Over those 40+ years he has observed and witnessed the evolution of the industry. His passion for security and the rise in demand for security film the more obsessed he became. However, the anchoring systems on the market for doors have been inadequate or nonexistent for doors. Beginning in 2015 Tim began developing/engineering ideas on how to achieve a solution to this problem. ZSecure, after several years, was finalized and Tim was awarded 3 patents by the United States of America.

Robert E. McElroy

Chief Operating Officer – Secure Glass Pros, Inc.

Robert: Comes from a background of Executive positions with Fortune 500 companies such as Snap-on Tools, JP Morgan Chase and General Motors. Upon hearing about ZSecure for Doors he has been determined to make this crucial safety system available to the public. “Our communities must have safe and secure buildings to congregate in and ZSecure is essential to the solution”.

Chris Ofe

Vice President Dealer Training – Secure Glass Pros, Inc.

Chris: Brings 20 years of experience in the window film industry. With his skills and knowledge, working with Tim since the beginning of ZSecure for Doors he has been instrumental in developing the process and procedures to install ZSecure for Doors. He understands the importance of providing security in the correct way.