Your Trusted Partner in Aquatic Exhibit Excellence
Starting with Dana Portnoy in 1988, Justin Portnoy continues his father’s industry-leading legacy, bringing specialized expertise to every zoo and aquarium project. Our more than 35 years with proven track record of success demonstrates our commitment to the highest standards in exhibit design and installation.
As Commercial Members of the American Zoo and Aquarium (AZA) Association and Aquarium and Zoo Facilities Association (AZFA), we’re not just contractors—we’re active participants in your professional community. This membership keeps us at the forefront of best practices, safety standards, and innovations in aquatic exhibit design.
We operate with clear and honest communication, ethical business operation, and a focus on long-term satisfaction vs. the cheapest solution. When you partner with Portnoy’s Premier, you’re choosing a team that understands the unique demands of your mission and will be around for a very long time.
The process
Our Exhibit Solutions
We supply custom acrylic exhibit windows engineered for optimal viewing, safety, and durability. From intimate touch tanks to massive observation walls, our custom acrylic solutions deliver crystal-clear views that connect visitors with aquatic life.
Acrylic can be manufactured to any shape exhibit designers and architects envision—flat windows for traditional viewing, concave windows for immersive experiences, or convex windows for unique optical effects. This design flexibility allows your creative vision to become reality.
Applications:
- Large observation windows for marine mammals
- Multi-window viewing galleries
- Touch tank viewing areas
- Overhead viewing windows
- Specialized habitat windows
- Flat, concave, convex, tunnel, and hemisphere configurations
- Cylinders offer visitors a 360-degree view of the tank’s inhabitants
As a Certified Dealer for Reynolds Polymer Technologies (RPT) and working closely with Advanced Aquarium Technologies (AAT) and Hydrospace/CalAquaria, we source premium acrylic from the industry’s most trusted manufacturers, ensuring exceptional optical clarity and structural integrity.
Custom Acrylic Exhibit Windows
For expansive viewing experiences, we supply custom acrylic exhibit windows that create seamless underwater vistas. Whether you’re designing a walk-through exhibit or a multi-story observation area, our windows are professionally engineered to handle the unique pressures and environmental demands of your facility.
Acrylic’s versatility means panels can be manufactured to any shape—flat windows for traditional installations, concave windows to draw visitors into the habitat, or convex windows for distinctive architectural statements.
Ideal for:
- Floor-to-ceiling observation walls
- Multi-window configurations
- Curved and complex geometries (flat, concave, convex)
- High-pressure deep-water exhibits
- Temperature-sensitive environments
Acrylic Exhibit Cylinders
Acrylic exhibit cylinders create stunning 360-degree viewing experiences, perfect for centerpiece exhibits or interactive displays. These vertical or horizontal cylindrical installations showcase aquatic life from every angle, creating unforgettable visitor moments.
Applications:
- Centerpiece exhibits in main halls
- Interactive cylindrical viewing stations
- Jellyfish and seahorse displays
- Vertical habitat columns
- Rotating observation experiences
Acrylic Exhibit Tunnels
Immerse your visitors in the underwater world with acrylic exhibit tunnels. These dramatic installations allow guests to walk through habitats, surrounded by aquatic life from every angle.
Features:
- 180° or 360° viewing experiences
- Custom radius configurations
- Seamless window integration
- Engineered for high-traffic environments
- ADA-compliant designs available
Acrylic Exhibit Hemispheres
Create unique bubble viewing experiences with acrylic exhibit hemispheres. These specialized installations offer unparalleled immersion, placing visitors inside the habitat for unforgettable educational moments.
Applications:
- Interactive children’s areas
- wet and dry exhibits
- Photography stations
- Educational programming spaces
- Unique visitor experiences
Why Zoos and Aquariums Choose Portnoy's Premier
Industry Commitment
As Commercial Members of the American Zoo and Aquarium (AZA) Association and Aquarium and Zoo Facilities Association (AZFA), we demonstrate our commitment to your industry’s highest standards. These memberships mean:
- We understand AZA accreditation requirements
- We stay current on animal welfare standards
- We participate in industry knowledge-sharing
- We’re invested in advancing best practices
- We speak your language and understand your mission
Expert Installation
Our expert installation of acrylic and laminated glass exhibit windows ensures your project meets the highest standards. Our installation teams have specialized training in:
- Precision placement and alignment
- Watertight sealing systems
- Working around sensitive environments
- Coordinating with other trades
- Minimizing disruption to operations
Industry-Leading Warranties
We stand behind our work with a 3-year warranty on installation and a 10-year manufacturer’s limited warranty on acrylic. This coverage reflects our confidence in both our craftsmanship and the materials we specify.
Proven Track Record
Our nearly four decades with proven track record of success includes installations at facilities worldwide. From small regional aquariums to major metropolitan zoos, we’ve successfully delivered projects of every scale and complexity.
Professional Engineering Excellence
Every installation begins with professional engineering. We don’t estimate—we calculate exact specifications based on:
- Water depth and pressure
- Animal impact
- Window dimensions and configuration
- Environmental factors (temperature, UV, chemical exposure)
- Traffic patterns and visitor safety
- Long-term performance requirements
Our professionally engineered windows meet or exceed all safety standards while delivering optimal visitor experiences.
Materials Excellence
Certified Dealer for Reynolds Polymer Technologies
We source acrylic from Reynolds Polymer Technologies (RPT), the industry leader trusted by major aquariums worldwide. Additionally, we work closely with Advanced Aquarium Technologies (AAT) and Hydrospace/CalAquaria, bringing you the best manufacturers in the industry. These partnerships ensure:
- Superior optical clarity that lasts decades
- Consistent manufacturing quality
- Materials proven in demanding applications
- Ability to manufacture acrylic to any shape—flat windows, concave windows, convex windows, cylinders, tunnels, and custom geometries
- Technical support from the source
- Peace of mind for your stakeholders
From the best in the field
From day one, our specialized team is by your side—bridging the gap between creative design and heavy engineering. We start by understanding the “wow factor” you want to achieve, whether it’s a suspended pool floor or a zero-edge viewing wall. Based on those insights, we provide technical guidance on rebates, load capabilities, and material selection. Once the scope is defined, we bring the vision to life—managing the complex logistics of craning, glazing, and sealing to ensure a seamless, watertight transformation.
Explore the world of Portnoy's Premier
National Maritime Museum
Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park
