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              How Can Glass Protect Birds?

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How Can Glass Protect Birds?

Glass surfaces on buildings pose a significant hazard to birds since glass is both reflective and transparent, so how can it protect birds?

Why do birds fly into glass?

Birds don’t understand the concept of glass, by reflecting vegetation or sky, the glass appears to be a habitat they can fly into. They see whatever happens to be reflected and mistake the images for the real thing. Transparent glass, often found in two-sided glass lobbies or in glass railing systems, can create a similar invisible obstacle in the middle of a flight path or between habitat areas.

What is bird-friendly glass?

Windows with bird-friendly glass are designed to create ‘visual’ noise on the surface of the glass while keeping it transparent enough for humans. The ‘visual’ noise is generally visible obstacles that break up the transparent or reflective areas of the glass enough for the birds to see and avoid. 

What does ‘visual’ noise look like? 

Spacing the obstacles is the key. Research shows that birds will not fly through spaces less than two inches high or four inches wide, meaning to be most effective markings or coating should be spaced two inches apart horizontally, and four inches apart vertically.

What is the best bird-friendly glass option?

Bird-friendly designs may feature many different types of patterns and etchings. Deciding which to use depends on the project criteria for aesthetics, cost, and bird safety. The three most common technics to treat glass are:

  • Fritted glass prints a design on the glass and is considered the most visible to the human eye. Frit patterns are an economical solution; however, they tend to obstruct the view more than some of the other solutions.
  • Etched glass treats or physically etches a design on the glass to break up the translucent surface. It is moderately visible to the human eye, depending on the design.
  • Ultraviolet (UV) coated glass has the least impact on human visibility and aesthetics. UV coatings provide visual markers that indicate potential obstacles for birds while humans only see in the visible light spectrum.

Where can I buy bird-safe windows?

Many window companies offer bird-safe glass options, including St. Cloud Window. Not sure what is right for your project? Our window experts at St. Cloud Window can help you find the best solution for your needs.

Call to discuss options or contact us for a quote. 

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At St. Cloud Window we know every project begins with a challenge or an idea of what a building might be. We bring that vision to life with our distinctive design aesthetics, precision performance, and design-to-delivery support. Learn more about how our products can deliver on your design objectives and site requirements here. Then, check out our full line of historic replica and acoustic window products, and get in touch for more details about any of our high-performing commercial window products.

Filed Under: News Tagged With: bird-friendly glass, bird-friendly windows, bird-safe windows, St. Cloud Window

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St. Cloud Window, Inc.
390 Industrial Blvd.
Sauk Rapids, MN 56379

800.383.9311

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How Can Glass Protect Birds?

May 9, 2022

Glass surfaces on buildings pose a significant hazard to birds since glass is both reflective and … READ MORE

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