New glass competence from sedak: Optimal protection for birds and maximum transparency

Maximum transparency, optimal bird protection – for almost any glass type and with a format of up to 3.60 x 20 meters: with the innovative sedak printing (a registered design) less than two percent of the glass area needs to be printed in order to largely eliminate bird collisions. The high effectiveness has been confirmed by the institute “Collision Laboratories” (Hohenau-Ringelsdorf, Austria).

Large-area glazing on buildings – regardless of how heavily structured it is – brings with it the risk of not being seen by birds. Reflections of trees or particular lighting conditions cause danger for birds as they have only limited spatial vision. Therefore, there are various solutions on the market designed to reduce bird collisions. The basis of the idea is to make the glazing recognizable for birds without having too much negative effect on the view through the glass.

Now sedak has managed to achieve optimal collision protection (efficiency: collisions reduced to ten percent) whilst printing less than two percent of the glass area. The glass processing company has thereby achieved two new records: no other bird-protection glass needs so little printed area for its protective effect; at the same time it achieves a higher level of protection (defined according to norm ONR 1040) than the alternative concepts. This has been confirmed by a scientific analysis performed by the internationally recognized institute “Collision Laboratories” (Hohenau-Ringelsdorf/Austria), which specializes in bird protection.

The scratch and UV-resistant patterns are put onto the glass using digital printing. When it is further processed into laminated panes, the printing is on the outside (POS1). Thus insulation and safety glass with highly effective bird protection can be created up to a format of 3.60 x 20 meters.

Aesthetically pleasing and variable through digital printing

Depending on customer requirements, two variants are available: dots or squares, arranged in a homogenous grid. An optically different but equally effective alternative is offered by sedak: printing with precious metal colors. The printed image and color tone have a discreet, elegant and aesthetic appearance. The printing is thus also ideally suited to sophisticated architectural design. As a specialist for glass in extra-large formats, the production expertise is already available at sedak: ceramic printing up to the maximum size is a mature technology here. The trend towards more transparent architecture with a high percentage of glass is now realizable in sophisticated and aesthetic variants with a particularly high level of protection for birds.

Background: What protects birds

Many songbirds do not recognize glass as an obstacle but see reflections that fool them into thinking it is a tree, for example, or they mistakenly think they can fly through glazing on corners of buildings. Light sources or particular lighting conditions can also confuse birds. Bird protection therefore has the aim of making glass recognizable for birds – whilst reducing the transparency as little as possible. The larger the glazed area (regardless of how strongly it is structured), the higher the risk for the birds. In recent years, new protective concepts have been developed to avoid bird collisions or reduce them significantly. The most effective protection for large-format glazing is offered by digital printing. Previously, however, a high level of protection required seven to fifty percent of the glass to be printed. The sedak solution provides the current optimum protection whilst at the same time having by far the lowest percentage of printed area.

The effectiveness of glass against bird collisions is measured as a percentage; the lower the value, the better the protection. The value shows how high the rate of collisions is in comparison with conventional glass. The Vienna Environmental Advocacy Organization (Wiener Umwelt Anwaltschaft, WUA) recommends using highly effective glass with values of ten percent or less. They classify glazing with values of between ten and twenty percent as conditionally suitable.

Scientifically confirmed effectiveness: An analysis by
“Collision Laboratories – Biological Station Hohenau-
Ringelsdorf” (Austria) shows that both of the sedak
patterns provide a high level of bird protection. The
institute is the only one in the whole of Europe that
performs this kind of investigation.
Picture: sedak, René Müller

Bird-free: The patterns ensure that birds see the glass panes.
They are thus protected from collisions. The image printed
by sedak (a registered design) thereby requires less than two
percent of the glass area – the lowest value ever achieved.
Photo: Kjersti Joergensen
(Kjorgen, Dreamstime), sedak

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sedak – leading glass
Since its founding in 2007, Germany-based company sedak has used its pioneering spirit to establish itself as a premium manufacturer of large-format insulated and safety glass. sedak has evolved their glass as a construction material for all-glass facades and roofs. Iconic facades and buildings are created with an unprecedented degree of transparency thanks to superior quality of innovative products.

sedak manufactures single-pane glass units, multi-layer glazing and functional insulated glass units in formats up to 3.6 x 20 meters in an efficient, highly automated system. Raw glass is treated, strengthened, laminated, printed, lamination-curved and assembled into insulated glass with a unique set of machinery that spreads over a production area measuring 35,000qm. Since integrating Italian-based Sunglass Industry srl, who are the specialist in curved glass, sedak’s core expertise also now includes hot bending glass. The specialist also supplies exceptional solutions for luxury yachts with optimized glass for use on the high seas.

The glass fabricator particularly demonstrates its solution-oriented expertise in special designs. Thanks to its research and development spirit, new technologies and the expertise of its 190 employees, sedak is constantly advancing innovations in glass finishing and sees itself as a partner to architects, developers, facade builders and metalwork companies. As a specialist in oversized and extremely heavy glass, the company develops future-oriented solutions to implement customers visions with a flexible approach. The glass fabricator acts as a full-service supplier – from the initial order to final delivery. sedak thus helps advance tomorrow’s visionary architecture today.

Exceptional reference projects provide proof of impressive expertise. These include: Lakhta Center, St. Petersburg / House of European History, Brussels / Faculty of Medicine, Montpellier / Torre Europa, Madrid / Iconsiam, Bangkok / Apple Park, Cupertino / Apple Cube, New York / Experimenta, Heilbronn / Numerous premium flagship stores.

Applications

• glass façades
• glass roofs
• glass stairs
• glass balustrades
• ship building
• safety glazing
• all-glass constructions
• interior design
• custum-made glass units

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