---
title: "SoarSafe™: Revolutionizing Bird-Friendly Glass for Modern Architecture"
description: Discover SoarSafe™, Viracon's innovative bird-friendly glass solution, which combines first-surface etching and Low‑E coatings to reduce bird collisions without compromising design aesthetics.
image: https://blog.mandcomp.com/hubfs/Soarsafe%205.png
---

 2/7/26 1:01 PM

# SoarSafe™: Revolutionizing Bird-Friendly Glass for Modern Architecture

[ Jeff Martineau ](https://blog.mandcomp.com/author/jeff-martineau)

**Viracon Helps Birds See Buildings – and Preserve Design Intent**

**![Modern glass curtain wall reflecting sky and trees, with a subtle dot pattern visible on part of the façade to indicate bird‑friendly first‑surface etch](https://blog.mandcomp.com/hs-fs/hubfs/SoarSafe%20Hero.png?width=1536&height=1024&name=SoarSafe%20Hero.png)**

For more than a decade, Viracon has been directly involved in the evolution of bird-friendly design—working with ornithologists, conducting in-house tunnel testing, and validating glass makeups that balance performance, aesthetics, and avian safety.

SoarSafe™, Viracon’s newest bird-friendly solution, is the first **first-surface laser-etched pattern** that pairs seamlessly with Viracon’s proven Low‑E coatings on surface #2. The result: glass that birds can see, with the visual quality and performance architects expect.

## Why First-Surface Matters for Bird-Friendly Glass

![Side‑by‑side illustration of a bird flying toward plain reflective glass on the left and toward glass with a subtle dot pattern on the right, showing how first‑surface etch helps birds see the façade.](https://blog.mandcomp.com/hs-fs/hubfs/SoarSafe%20Image%202.png?width=600&height=400&name=SoarSafe%20Image%202.png)Birds collide with glass because they see reflected sky and trees, not a solid surface. First-surface patterns change that.

With SoarSafe, a **laser-etched pattern on surface #1** breaks up reflectivity so birds recognize the façade as a barrier. At the same time, Viracon’s Low‑E coatings stay on surface #2—right where you want them for optimal solar and thermal performance.

**Key advantages:**

- First-surface laser-etched pattern helps birds see the glass and avoid collisions.
- Viracon Low‑E coatings remain on surface #2 for energy and comfort performance.
- No exterior reflectance limitations under ABC when a first-surface pattern is used—SoarSafe can be paired with any Viracon coating while still meeting ABC Prescriptive Ratings for Threat Factor (TF) 20 and 25.
- Aligns with evolving codes and industry trends that increasingly favor first-surface approaches.

> **Positioning note:** This is a way to satisfy bird-friendly requirements without “designing around” bird glass. You keep the aesthetic you want and layer in bird safety.

## SoarSafe: Bird- and Architect-Friendly

SoarSafe is designed to satisfy two parallel goals on every bird-friendly project:

1. **Aesthetics and design control for the project team**

- Viracon Low‑E coatings on surface #2 keep the façade visually consistent with your broader glass strategy.
- SoarSafe patterns are subtle enough to support a wide range of façade expressions while still delivering bird safety.

1. **Meaningful collision reduction for owners and communities**

- ABC-approved SoarSafe dot patterns achieve Threat Factors of **20 and 25**.
- A Threat Factor of 25 signifies up to **75% fewer bird collisions** compared to unmarked glass. Lower threat factors (e.g., TF20) further reduce collision risk.

## SoarSafe Offering and Design Flexibility

SoarSafe is built to fit into real-world specifications, not force you into a narrow catalog.

**Glass and coating options**

- **Viracon Low‑E coatings on #2:** all current Low‑E options are available.
- **Glass substrate colors:** available on virtually **all Viracon substrate colors** in **6mm, 8mm, 10mm, and 12mm** thicknesses.
- **Configurations:** IG, IG‑Lami, Lami‑IG, Triple IG, and monolithic (non‑coated, more rare in practice).

This breadth of substrates, thicknesses, and makeups is a differentiator. Many bird-friendly products are limited to one thickness (often 6mm) and a narrow color palette (clear or mid‑low iron only), or they require outboard laminates that can complicate design and detailing.

**Pattern options and Threat Factors**

SoarSafe focuses on three popular dot patterns designed around the **2" x 2"** and **2" x 4"** bird-friendly rules:![Three close‑up glass swatches showing different dot layouts: a tight staggered grid, a tight inline grid, and a more open inline grid representing different SoarSafe bird‑friendly patterns](https://blog.mandcomp.com/hs-fs/hubfs/SoarSafe%20slide%203.png?width=1536&height=1024&name=SoarSafe%20slide%203.png)

- **TF 20 patterns (2" x 2")**
- Staggered dot pattern: SoarSafe **#51767**
- Inline dot pattern: SoarSafe **#51777**
- **TF 25 pattern (2" x 4")**
- Inline dot pattern: SoarSafe **#51205**

Again, **Threat Factor 25 = ~75% collision reduction** vs. clear glass. TF20 performs even better.

## Additional Viracon Bird-Friendly Solutions

SoarSafe is one part of Viracon’s broader bird-friendly portfolio. For projects that need alternate patterns, colors, or specific façade strategies, there are established solutions on both surface #1 and surface #2.

### Surface #1 options

In addition to SoarSafe’s first-surface laser etch, Viracon offers **VF ceramic enamel**:

- Colors: **VF961 White** and **VF963 Etch**
- Typically configured as a **laminate outboard** with a coating on surface #4
- **More pattern flexibility:** seven standard bird-friendly patterns plus custom options
- Ideal when:
- You need opaque white or higher visual contrast
- You want a specific graphic or pattern beyond the three SoarSafe dot layouts

### Surface #2 options

For projects where patterns on the interior lite make more sense, Viracon offers:

- **Silkscreen ceramic enamel**
- **DigitalDistinctions® ceramic ink**

Both are available in **seven standard bird-friendly patterns** (pre-qualified to TF20 and TF25) plus full custom capability. These options can be used alone or in combination with other façade strategies where first-surface treatments are limited.

## Understanding Threat Factor and Project-Specific Testing

Threat Factor (TF) is rated from **0 to 100**, where:

- **0** behaves like a solid façade (e.g., masonry wall)
- **100** behaves like clear, unmarked glass

The lower the TF, the better the product is at deterring birds.

The Viracon options listed above have been **tunnel-tested and vetted** to reach target TF20 and TF25 levels that are commonly referenced in bird-friendly ordinances and design guidelines. For projects pursuing unique patterns or custom makeups, Viracon’s **Architectural Glass Studio** can help with:

- Custom pattern development
- Project-specific testing
- Support aligning bird-friendly strategy with aesthetics, structure, and energy performance

## When to Consider SoarSafe on Your Next Project

![Oblique view of a mid‑rise building with glass curtain wall where the bird‑friendly dot pattern is barely noticeable at normal viewing distance, maintaining a clean, high‑performance façade.](https://blog.mandcomp.com/hs-fs/hubfs/SoarSafe%204.png?width=500&height=333&name=SoarSafe%204.png)SoarSafe is particularly well suited for:

- Projects in jurisdictions with or anticipating bird-friendly glazing requirements
- Design teams who want to **maintain a uniform Viracon Low‑E strategy** across the façade
- Owners who care about both **visible bird safety outcomes** and long-term façade consistency
- Curtainwall, window wall, and storefront applications where first-surface control is critical

If you’re already designing with Viracon, SoarSafe lets you extend a familiar glass strategy into a fully bird-friendly solution without starting from scratch.

## ![Abstract graphic of a glass panel with a faint dot pattern and a small bird silhouette flying safely past, with simple surrounding shapes suggesting performance data.](https://blog.mandcomp.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Soarsafe%205.png?width=500&height=500&name=Soarsafe%205.png)Let’s Get Your Next Bird-Friendly Project Flying

If you have a current or upcoming project that needs bird-friendly glass—or would simply benefit from a more future-proof glazing strategy—we’re happy to help translate these options into a buildable, code-aligned spec.

- Do you have any active projects with bird-friendly requirements, or sites near migratory corridors?
- Would you like a SoarSafe sample or a review of your current glass strategy against emerging bird-friendly standards?

Martineau & Co can help you evaluate where SoarSafe or Viracon’s broader bird-friendly portfolio fits best in your façade design, from early concept through bid and award.

[Glazing Contractor](https://blog.mandcomp.com/tag/glazing-contractor), [Viracon](https://blog.mandcomp.com/tag/viracon), [Bird Friendly Glass](https://blog.mandcomp.com/tag/bird-friendly-glass)

## Related posts

[![](https://blog.mandcomp.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Javitz-1500-107K-.jpg?height=200&name=Javitz-1500-107K-.jpg) ](https://blog.mandcomp.com/bird-friendly-glass-from-viracon)

[Viracon](https://blog.mandcomp.com/tag/viracon), [Bird Friendly Glass](https://blog.mandcomp.com/tag/bird-friendly-glass)

## [Discover the Benefits of Bird Friendly Glass from Viracon](https://blog.mandcomp.com/bird-friendly-glass-from-viracon)

[Jeff Martineau](https://blog.mandcomp.com/author/jeff-martineau) 

 3/28/23 5:07 PM

"Flying High" with Viracon's Bird Friendly Glass The glass manufacturing company Viracon has...

[ Read more ](https://blog.mandcomp.com/bird-friendly-glass-from-viracon)

[![](https://blog.mandcomp.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Screen%20Shot%202024-01-22%20at%209.27.50%20AM.png?height=200&name=Screen%20Shot%202024-01-22%20at%209.27.50%20AM.png) ](https://blog.mandcomp.com/viracon-glass-shines-inspiring-architectural-projects-nationwide)

[Viracon](https://blog.mandcomp.com/tag/viracon)

## [Viracon Glass Shines: Inspiring Architectural Projects Nationwide](https://blog.mandcomp.com/viracon-glass-shines-inspiring-architectural-projects-nationwide)

[Jeff Martineau](https://blog.mandcomp.com/author/jeff-martineau) 

 3/4/24 3:09 PM

2024 Project Insight Viracon started the new year with a bang, diving into several groundbreaking...

[ Read more ](https://blog.mandcomp.com/viracon-glass-shines-inspiring-architectural-projects-nationwide)

[![Viracon Bird Friendly Glass](https://blog.mandcomp.com/hubfs/BeiGene%20Research%20and%20Manufacturing%20(1).svg) ](https://blog.mandcomp.com/biotech-firm-selects-bird-friendly-glass-for-nj-project)

[Viracon](https://blog.mandcomp.com/tag/viracon), [Viracon Thermal Space (VTS)](https://blog.mandcomp.com/tag/viracon-thermal-space-vts), [Bird Friendly Glass](https://blog.mandcomp.com/tag/bird-friendly-glass), [Biotech/Life Sciences](https://blog.mandcomp.com/tag/biotech-life-sciences), [High-performance Low-E coating](https://blog.mandcomp.com/tag/high-performance-low-e-coating)

## [Biotech Firm Selects Bird Friendly Glass for NJ Project](https://blog.mandcomp.com/biotech-firm-selects-bird-friendly-glass-for-nj-project)

[Mitch Hawkins](https://blog.mandcomp.com/author/mitch-hawkins) 

 11/11/22 8:05 AM

BeiGene Research and Manufacturing Hopewell, New Jersey

[ Read more ](https://blog.mandcomp.com/biotech-firm-selects-bird-friendly-glass-for-nj-project)

```json
{
  "@context" : "https://schema.org",
  "@type" : "BlogPosting",
  "author" : {
    "@type" : "Person",
    "name" : "Jeff Martineau",
    "url" : "https://blog.mandcomp.com/author/jeff-martineau"
  },
  "dateModified" : "2026-03-09T14:45:30.446Z",
  "datePublished" : "2026-02-07T18:01:39.000Z",
  "headline" : "SoarSafe™: Revolutionizing Bird-Friendly Glass for Modern Architecture",
  "image" : [ "https://blog.mandcomp.com/hubfs/Soarsafe%205.png" ],
  "mainEntityOfPage" : {
    "@id" : "https://blog.mandcomp.com/soarsafe-revolutionizing-bird-friendly-glass-for-modern-architecture",
    "@type" : "WebPage"
  },
  "publisher" : {
    "@type" : "Organization",
    "logo" : {
      "@type" : "ImageObject",
      "url" : "https://blog.mandcomp.com/hubfs/MCO%20Logo%20-3.svg"
    },
    "name" : "Martineau and Company LLC"
  }
}
```