According to several studies and news reports, more than one billion birds die each year in North America after colliding with window structures. It is a serious issue, but understanding of it has been gaining steam over the last several years thanks to greater awareness, education and new glazing products like the AviProtek® line from Walker Glass. Having a product line available that can allow developers and architects the peace of mind that they will not be harming birds has been a great advancement.
The Boulevard Club is an iconic, century old structure in Toronto which needed an expansion. The windows facing Lake Ontario, which offer a breath taking view, needed to be bird friendly in order to reduce the number of strikes. In this case the award winning AviProtek® E, bird friendly low-e coated acid-etched glass was the right choice.
Tough Task Handled Smoothly
With any new product there are learning curves. Plus add in the pressure of a legendary structure and you have a recipe for an adventure. Fortunately the glazier on the job, Vision Aluminum was more than ready. When it came to Vision’s responsibility on the project, they made sure to seek out the most optimal product choice for the mission.
“Originally the glass was to have a bird frit coating on the 1st surface of the sealed unit. Our company turned to Trulite Industries (our glass supplier) for the most feasible product. We came to a conclusion and recommended Walker’s AviProtek® E with acid-etched markers on the outside surface and PPG solar control low-e coating on surface 2 given that its properties are wear, scratch and stain resistant as opposed to the aftermarket coating. Collectively this benefited the club giving it a lower maintenance cost on the glass. We had no complications, the great thing about Walker’s acid etched glass is that there is no aftermarket film applied to any exposed surface that makes it easy to handle and install,” Tromboukis said.
In the end, the installation of the glass went without issue and The Boulevard Club now has a distinctive and stunning addition featuring glass that has many more functions than just allowing light in.
About the Products Used
Walker Textures® AviProtek® E combines the acid-etch visual markers on the number 1 surface with the PPG Industries Solarban® high performance low-e coatings on position 2, creating the ideal bird friendly glazing solution to preserve birds’ lives and energy at the same time! This innovation brings the best of both worlds together and will help architects and building owners achieve their environmental goals and earn LEED credits, while meeting solar performance targets.
Related Stories
| Apr 3, 2012
AGC Glass to reopen shuttered plant
Shuttered since 2008, the plant produces clear and tinted float glass serving architectural glass markets.
| Apr 2, 2012
TGP launches new fire-rated glazing website
Website offers online continuing education courses registered with the American Institute of Architects (AIA), BIM 3D models, and rapid-response quoting, among other support tools.
| Mar 29, 2012
Roller shade operating system wins IF Product Design Award
Design experts in the iF jury recognized the engineering invested in the RB 500 Roller Shade, including a metal clutch with a patented construction, a durable zamac housing with polished finish, and a chain drive unit that excels in maximum operating comfort.
| Mar 16, 2012
Marvin Windows and Doors accepting entries for fourth-annual myMarvin Architect’s Challenge
Architects in U.S. and abroad offered the chance to showcase their very best work.
| Mar 13, 2012
Commercial glazer Harmon expanding into Texas
Company expanding into the Texas market with a new office in Dallas and a satellite facility in Austin.
| Mar 1, 2012
AIA: A clear difference, new developments in load-bearing glass
Earn 1.0 AIA/CES learning units by studying this article and successfully completing the online exam.
| Feb 29, 2012
Report says BIPV glass market to reach $6.4 billion by 2016
The report analyzes the opportunities for BIPV glass products using c-Si, thin-film and OPV/DSC materials and provides eight-year forecasts in terms of MW and square footage shipped as well as forecasts of revenue generated.
| Feb 16, 2012
Summit Design + Build begins build-out for Emmi Solutions in Chicago
The new headquarters will total 20,455 sq. ft. and feature a loft-style space with exposed masonry and mechanical systems, 15 foot clear ceilings, two large rooftop skylights and private offices with full glass partition walls.
| Feb 2, 2012
Fire rated glazing helps historic university preserve its past
When the University embarked on its first major addition since the opening of Hutchins Hall in 1933, preserving the Collegiate Gothic-style architecture was of utmost importance.
