In response to growing demand for bird-safe building materials, Viracon has unveiled SoarSafe, a new addition to its bird-friendly glass product line. This first-surface, laser-etched glass integrates seamlessly with Viracon’s second-surface solar control coatings, offering a combination of performance, protection, and visual appeal.
SoarSafe is designed specifically for commercial architectural applications where both bird safety and building aesthetics are critical. The glass features subtle dot patterns on its exterior surface, which disrupt the reflectivity that typically confuses birds into flying into windows. To human eyes, the dots are nearly invisible, but to birds, they serve as critical visual cues that help avoid collisions.
The product follows the 2″ x 2″ and 2″ x 4″ pattern rules, which research shows are highly effective at deterring birds. SoarSafe achieves American Bird Conservancy Threat Factors of 20 or 25, meaning it can reduce bird collisions by up to 75%, according to test data.
With less than 1% surface coverage, the etching does not compromise the glass’s thermal or optical performance, making SoarSafe a versatile solution for architects and developers. It’s especially suited for buildings that fall under bird-friendly building codes, are situated along migratory paths, or are surrounded by high vegetation and water, areas where bird strikes are most common. 
“This is an exciting addition to our bird-friendly portfolio,” said Sara Theis, Viracon product manager. “SoarSafe delivers meaningful impact without sacrificing design.”
Viracon’s SoarSafe proves that innovation in glass technology can serve both aesthetic ambitions and environmental responsibility.
Source: Viracon with additional information added by Glass Balkan
