Starphire glass with bird-friendly acid-etching brightens renovated Tropical Rainforest at Pittsburgh’s National Aviary
PITTSBURGH, July 26, 2018 – An expansive new glass dome comprising 19,600-square-feet of laminated Starphire Ultra-Clear® glass by Vitro Glass with bird-friendly acid etching was unveiled at the National Aviary’s Tropical Rainforest exhibit, which recently reopened after a four-month-long renovation.
Glass is for the birds! Check out how bird-friendly Vitro Architectural Glass is keeping our feathered friends at the National Aviary in Pittsburgh safe with Starphire Ultra-Clear® glass Tweet
More than 3,100 panes of Starphire Ultra-Clear® glass, featuring AviProtek® bird-friendly Velour acid-etched finish by Walker Glass, replaced the building’s original single-strength annealed float glass.
The project also included the installation of a 15-foot waterfall encompassing immersive spaces for the birds, tropical plants, custom perches and new lighting and flooring.
“We have constructed a beautiful habitat that mimics the environment that tropical bird and mammal species would inhabit in the wild,” said Cheryl Tracy, executive director of the National Aviary.
The custom glass specification, which incorporates complete acid-etched coverage on the exterior (#1) surface of an ultra-premium, low-iron glass made by Vitro Glass, reduces the chances of bird-glass collisions, prevents birds of prey living outside from seeing and attempting to reach potential prey living inside and maximizes UV and natural light transmittance.
Richard A. Beuke, president, Vitro Architectural Glass, said the new glass supports the National Aviary’s mission to inspire respect for nature through an appreciation for birds. “Starphire Ultra-Clear glass greatly improves the aesthetics, performance and bird-friendly aspects of the Tropical Rainforest. The birds have a healthy home and are protected, and it’s good for the environment.”
To learn more about Starphire Ultra-Clear glass, visit www.vitroglazings.com or call (855) VTRO-GLS (887-6457).
About Vitro Architectural Glass
Vitro Architectural Glass, part of Vitro, S.A.B. de C.V. (BMV:VITROA), is a new organization created from Vitro’s acquisition of PPG’s flat glass business unit. Now the largest company of its kind in the Americas, Vitro Architectural Glass manufactures industry-leading brands such as Solarban®, Sungate® and Starphire Ultra-Clear® glasses at U.S. plants in Carlisle, Pennsylvania; Fresno, California; Salem, Oregon; and Wichita Falls, Texas. The company also operates one of the world’s largest glass research and development facilities in Pittsburgh and four residential glass fabrication plants in Canada. For more information, please visit www.vitroglazings.com.
Starphire Ultra-Clear is a registered trademark owned by Vitro.
The PPG Logo is a registered trademark of PPG Industries Ohio, Inc.
Walker Textures is a registered trademark of Walker Glass Limited, Inc.
Media Contact:
Robert J. Struble
Vitro Architectural Glass 412-820-8138
[email protected] www.vitroglazings.com