Vitro Architectural Glass has been named a triple winner at the 2025 Product Innovation Awards (PIAs), with BirdSmart®, Sungate ThermL™ and VacuMax™ Vacuum Insulating Glass (VIG) honored for their performance advancements and contribution to high-efficiency building design. Administered by Architectural Products, the PIAs are judged by a panel of licensed architects who evaluate products based on innovation, functionality, sustainability impact and feasibility in real-world architectural use.
BirdSmart®: Verified Bird Safety with High Visual Clarity
BirdSmart® Bird Safe Glass stands out as an engineered solution to mitigate bird collisions while preserving façade consistency and daylight quality. Launched in March 2025, BirdSmart® delivers high Visible Light Transmittance and controlled Solar Heat Gain Coefficient, enabling architects to meet energy targets without introducing visual clutter.
Unlike UV-only marker systems, BirdSmart® uses first-surface patterning, proven to be more effective for species that do not detect UV reflectance. Its non-caustic, clean etching process eliminates the use of harsh chemicals, reducing environmental and manufacturing impact. Produced exclusively at Vitro’s Wichita Falls plant, BirdSmart® is available in formats up to Titanâ„¢ size (130×240 inches) and can be supplied in small-pack quantities. It can also be specified without low-e coatings when required for restoration, museum or interior display applications.
Sungate ThermLâ„¢: Fourth-Surface Low-E Built for Efficiency Targets
Sungate ThermL™ was recognized for its fourth-surface low-e coating configuration, designed for the interior lite of a standard 1-inch IGU. When paired with a Solarban® solar-control low-e glass on the second surface, envelope U-values improve by 20% or more, with no shift in neutral color tone or reflectivity. Its coating composition enables enhanced thermal retention for climates requiring winter heating load reduction. 
VacuMaxâ„¢ VIG: Wall-Level Insulation Delivered in Glass
VacuMax™ VIG continues to push envelope performance benchmarks, achieving up to R20, rivaling insulated wall assemblies. Now manufactured with Solarban® 70, it delivers a 79% U-value improvement and three to five times the thermal insulation of standard IGUs. Design refinements include concealed getters and removed vacuum ports, strengthening visual uniformity. Its ultra-thin profile enables installation into legacy frames, making it a preferred solution for historic retrofit and high-performance upgrades.
Vitro’s triple 2025 win affirms its leadership in performance glazing and energy-forward façade innovation.
Source: Vitro with additional information added by Glass Balkan
