The clear solution

Biomimicry in action

The Future of Bird-Friendly Glass is Clear...

Researchers estimate that hundreds of millions of birds are killed each year in North America due to collisions with glass on human-built structures, making bird collisions one of the most significant causes of avian mortality globally.

It is the reflective and transparent characteristics of glass that create the danger for birds, as they do not recognize it as a barrier. They fly to sky and vegetation reflected by or on the other side of a window or railing and collide fatally with the glass. To prevent these collisions, glass must somehow be made visible to birds.

With the understanding that birds are able to see light in the ultraviolet spectrum, bird-friendly glass innovator, ARNOLD GLAS developed ORNILUX Bird Protection Glass. The glass has a patterned, UV reflective coating making it visible to birds while remaining virtually transparent to the human eye.

ORNILUX: The transparent solution

A proven bird-friendly glazing treatment, ORNILUX is tested in cooperation with American Bird Conservancy. The glass has demonstrated to be an effective solution to mitigate bird collisions, especially in areas where transparency is a top priority.

ORNILUX, the leading multi-functional clear glass solution for bird collisions is available as laminated glass or insulated units paired with Arnold Glas low-E or solar control coatings, thus providing energy efficiency and bird protection.

ORNILUX offers a unique and innovative bird-friendly glass solution—maintaining the aesthetic transparency of glass while creating visual markers alerting birds to its presence.

ORNILUX meets bird-friendly glazing requirements as defined by LEED Pilot Credit 55: Bird Collision Deterrence, American Bird Conservancy’s Bird Friendly Building Design Guidelines, and regulations defined by San Francisco, New York City, Chicago, Toronto and other cities. It conforms to the recommended 2x4 Rule.

LEED Note: The most up-to-date Material Threat Scores for ORNILUX are stated in the ORNILUX brochure (far right column of the table on page 2).

Arnold Glas introduces AIA Continuing Education course

Bird Protection Glass & Custom Low-Emissivity Coatings: Sustainable design to wildlife conservation and how graded or custom low-Emissivity coatings significantly increase the energy efficiency and occupancy comfort in buildings

The course is approved for one AIA LU/HSW credit. Listed on the Education Exchange.

Check out our interview on the newly launched Podcast, Business For Good who's mission is "Spotlighting Companies Making Money by Making the World a Better Place." The Podcast is also available through iTunes.

American Bird Conservancy tested this product in a tunnel test and found that it satisfied ABC’s criterion for bird-friendly glass, with the Threat Factor equal to or less than 30. See product brochure for additional information and test scores.