Bird-Friendly
Thompson Innovative Glass manufactures several Bullet-Resistant (also sometimes called Bullet Proof) options under its Defender® line.
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Bird-Friendly Bullet-Resistant Glass
Bird-Friendly Bullet-Resistant Glass offerings include both Insulated Glass Unit (IGU) and Glass Clad constructions. Both are - all-glass configurations – with no polycarbonate materials, offers superior ballistic protection through laminated glass layers, while also delivering excellent optical clarity and long-term durability. The insulating glass design enhances thermal performance and reduces sound transmission, contributing to energy efficiency and occupant comfort.
Make-Up Features
Glass
The glass layers provide structural integrity and rigidity of the unit. Glass causes the bullet to flatten upon impact and consequently reduces its velocity and disperses the kinetic energy over a broader area. The glass properties (thickness, annealed, heat-treated etc.) and number of layers varies by product.
Adhesive Interlayers
Thompson uses both high optical grade polyvinyl butyral (PVB) and thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) to bond multiple layers of glass. The interlayers act as the “glue” that hold the various layers together. TPU is known for its adhesion, flexibility and ability to absorb impact energy, making it appropriate for use in bullet-resistant glass constructions.
Bullet Resistant Bird-Friendly Technologies
Thompson's bird-friendly glass solutions protect birds, meet regulatory requirements, and deliver the highest quality performance. UV bird-friendly coating technology is available as surface #2 in IGU Bird-Friendly Bullet-Resistant Glass. Bird-friendly ceramic enamel, etch, and UV coating technologies are available for surface #1 applications in all Bird-Friendly Bullet-Resistant Glass constructions. See the Bird-Friendly Solutions section for detailed information on the different technologies.
Ballistic Protection
The below chart refers to how much ballistic protection the Thompson Innovative Glass product provides, based on standardized testing. In the U.S., bullet-resistant glass is rated by UL 752 the standard for bullet-resistant materials set by Underwriters Laboratories (UL).
It defines testing methods and performance criteria for bullet-resistant glass, doors, panels, and other protective materials. and classified into a range of levels.
9mm Pistol 
9mm Full Metal Copper
.357 Magnum Pistol 
.357 Magnum Jacketed Lead Soft Point 
.44 Magnum Lead Semi-Wadcutter 
.30 Caliber Rifle 
.30 Caliber Lead Core Soft Point 
7.62 Rifle 
7.62mm Full Metal Copper Jacket Military Ball 
.357 Magnum Pistol 
.44 Magnum Lead Semi-Wadcutter 
7.62mm Full Metal Copper Jacket Military Ball Get Expert Guidance on Defender Glass
Check with the Thompson Innovative Glass team for more details and options from our Defender line to find the right one for you and your application.
Options
Tints
Available tints include a variety of grays, bronzes, blues, and greens. Contact Thompson Innovative Glass for more specific details and samples.
Reflective
Thompson Innovative Glass carries reflective glass with varying performance & reflectance. Contact us for more specific details and samples.
Bird-Friendly
Thompson Innovative Glass offers a full range of bird-friendly glass options.
Low-E
We have Low-emissivity glass with varying performance. We can find the right one for you. Contact us for more specific details and samples.
Low Iron
Thompson Innovative Glass offers “low iron” glass, which has reduced iron content for a lighter blue edge and higher light transmission. Contact us for more specific details and samples.
Applications-Security and Protection
Bullet-resistant and forced entry glass are critical components in protecting people and property across a wide range of high-risk environments. These specialized glazing solutions are trusted wherever enhanced security and peace of mind are essential, from public institutions to private facilities. Common applications include:
Corporate Offices
Modern offices benefit from glass that provides energy efficiency and acoustic comfort—along with optional forced-entry and ballistic resistance for high-security needs.
Schools
Security glazing enhances school safety by resisting forced entry and delaying intruders, providing critical response time without compromising light, visibility, or design.
Museums
Museums depend on specialty glass to protect exhibits and patrons from damage, while maintaining clarity, light control, and architectural beauty.
Retail Storefronts
These retail spaces utilize protective glass to deter crime and protect staff, particularly during overnight hours or high-traffic periods.
Places of Worship
Houses of worship often require protective glazing that balances aesthetics with security, helping safeguard congregants while maintaining natural light and architectural beauty.
Luxury Homes
High-end residences benefit from protective glass that offers discreet security, UV protection, and design flexibility for custom architectural features.
Maximum Size
Maximum size for Bird-Friendly
72″ x 130″
Your Guide to Bullet-Resistant Glass Options
Discover all bullet-resistant glass options in our brochure.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Bullet-Resistant Glass
Can bullet-resistant glass also be bird-friendly?
Yes. Thompson Innovative Glass can combine bullet-resistant glazing with bird-friendly technologies, allowing a single glazing system to address both security and bird-collision concerns. This gives architects greater flexibility when projects require multiple performance characteristics from the building envelope.
Why combine bird-friendly and bullet-resistant performance in one glazing solution?
Certain facilities require enhanced security while also needing to meet bird-friendly design goals or local requirements. Combining these capabilities allows architects and building owners to address both priorities without treating them as separate glazing challenges.
Can Thompson help determine the right bird-friendly bullet-resistant configuration for my project?
Yes. With expertise in both Defender® security glazing and a wide range of bird-friendly glass technologies, Thompson can work with customers to identify a glazing configuration appropriate for the project's security, bird-friendly, aesthetic, and overall performance requirements.