Guardian® Bird1st™ Etch Glass

Guardian Bird1st™ Etch is a bird-friendly glass that combines energy performance and bird safety code compliance, offered in four patterns that safeguard the style and aesthetics of facades and curtain walls.

Bird1st Etch SqX22

Non-directional 6mm squares, randomly spaced no more than 2 x 2 apart

Bird1st Etch SqX24

Non-directional 6mm squares, randomly spaced no more than 2 x 4” apart

Bird1st Etch DX 22

2″ x 2″ 5mm dots

Bird1st Etch DV 24

2″ x 4″ 6mm dots

Guardian® Bird1st™ UV Glass

Guardian® Bird1st™ UV is the latest advancement from Guardian Glass, a bird safe UV glass built to meet building requirements while protecting clean, unobstructed views. With jumbo sheet sizes and non-directional patterning, it can help lower installation costs (vs. our first-generation product).

While many alternative UV deterrents reflect about 30% of UV light, this Bird1st UV bird glass pattern reflects upwards of 75%, creating a signal to birds with an as-strong-as-possible chance of being seen. Boosting the contrast further, this requires use of a laminated outboard glass to absorb >99% of UV light outside the pattern. The result? A glass that provides a deterrent with a low level of visibility to humans, while earning a Threat Factor score of ≤25 from the American Bird Conservancy. 

*The American Bird Conservancy defines “bird-friendly” materials as those with a Threat Factor score of ≤30.

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Find out what Guardian® Bird1St can do
for your project.

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Other Bird-Friendly Glazing Options

Specifications vary for bird-friendly glass; that’s why Thompson Innovative Glass offers one of the largest ranges of products available in the industry. We also offer the following options:

arcon

Ornilux® mikado · Ornilux® supermikado
  • uv coating
  • 1, 2, 3
Learn More

Walker

AviProtek® E · AviProtek® T
  • etch
  • 1
Learn More

Thompson

Thompson BirdSafe®
  • Ceramic Enamel
  • 1
Learn More

Pilkington

AviSafe™
  • uv coating
  • 1
Learn More

Skyline Design

SkySafe™
  • etch
  • ink
  • 1, 2
Learn More

Kuraray

BirdSecure® Pro
  • interlayer
  • 2.5
Learn More

Eastman

FlySafe™ 3D
  • interlayer
  • 2.5, 4.5
Learn More

Vitro

BirdSmart©
  • etch
  • 1
Learn More

Andluca

SafeFlight UV™
  • uv coating
  • 2.5
Learn More

Still unsure?

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Your Guide to Bird-Friendly Glass Options

Discover all bird-friendly glass options in our brochure.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Guardian Bird1st™ Glass

What is the difference between Guardian Bird1st™ Etch and Bird1st™ UV?

Bird1st™ Etch uses visible first-surface patterns to help birds recognize glass as a barrier and is available in four pattern options. Bird1st™ UV uses a UV-reflective pattern designed to provide a strong visual signal to birds while remaining much less noticeable to people, helping preserve clean, unobstructed views.

Does Guardian Bird1st™ UV meet bird-friendly performance requirements?

Bird1st™ UV has earned an American Bird Conservancy Threat Factor score of 25 or lower. The UV pattern reflects upwards of 75% of UV light and is used with laminated outboard glass that absorbs more than 99% of UV light outside the pattern, creating greater contrast for birds while maintaining low visibility to humans.

Can Guardian Bird1st™ provide both bird-friendly and energy performance?

Yes. Guardian Bird1st™ solutions are designed to help meet bird-friendly requirements while supporting the energy-performance needs of façades and curtain walls. Bird1st™ Etch, for example, can combine bird-friendly patterns with Guardian high-performance glass solutions without sacrificing the overall architectural aesthetic.