Four of the domestic primary glass manufacturers took part in the American Institute of Architects (AIA) show in Las Vegas at the Mandalay Bay Hotel last week.

Pilkington North America launched its new anti-reflective glass at the show.

"While anti-reflective glass is not new, Pilkington's online manufacturing process removes most size limitations, and opens the door to a wider array of application possibilities," explained Stephen Weidner, vice president of sales and marketing for building products North America.

"Typical anti-reflective glass applications include museum and retail display cases," he added. "With this product's proprietary process, the potential for anti-reflective glass is expanded to include retail storefronts, showrooms and a host of applications where this type of glass was never an option," he explained. The Toledo, Ohio-based company points out that the size of the product is limited only by the size of the lamination machine.

While there are a number of potential OptiView glass projects in the works, one already underway is Falcon Wharf in London, a 17-floor, 124-apartment and restaurant complex. Glazing is scheduled to be completed this summer. The company also said that the glass would be used at the airport in Montreal.

PPG Industries Inc. was promoting its Building Renewal Program, which is designed to give building owners and facility managers a one-stop resource for the coatings, glass and paint products and information needed to revive the appearance of older, weathered commercial buildings.

Roger Mabe, manager of the program, said the initiative was developed in response, in part, to the construction boom of the 1970s. "Thousands of commercial buildings and skyscrapers were erected during a building boom that began around 30 years ago," he explained. "Many components of those building exteriors have reached the end of their lifecycle. Facility owners and managers are now deciding the best way to rejuvenate their buildings in order to maintain tenant satisfaction and lease revenues."

The company points out that owners who want to maintain the original color of their tinted windows or curtain walls, while still reaping the benefits of a solar control glass, can combine its Solarban 60 glass with any of a range of tinted and reflective glass, including many of the glasses originally specified by architects 30 or more years ago.

In its booth, AFG Industries Inc. was showing for the first time its new heavy pattern low-iron Heavy Krystal glass. The spelling of the name is designed to connect the pattern glass with the company's K glass, explained Mark Montgomery.

The 10-mil glass is available in five patterns initially. AFG is also setting up a fabricator program called Pattern Masters for the product, Montgomery added.

The Kingsport, Tenn., based company was also promoting its energy-efficient products, such as the Comfort Ti-AC 40, which allows a structure to "stay cool when it's hot and warm when it's not."

Michigan-based Visteon also exhibited and promoted the color and versatility of its glass products, and its range of sizes.