Everyone loves a shiny window. It makes the home or space look lovely. It lets you see what’s going on outside. If it’s a business space, it’s a welcome sign for customers because it portrays the company’s organization. However, sometimes a sudden bird strike on your windows can disrupt this clear view and even cause damage, making it important to keep your windows clean and well-maintained.
Let’s say you just got your windows cleaned, you sit back and gaze lovingly at how clear and shiny they look. You feel fulfilled and then thump! That tragic sound that could only be a bird colliding with your glass — a bird strike on your windows. You may feel sad instantly; the whole joy that comes with the shiny glass is gone. You feel terrible, the bird is traumatized, and your windows suffer too. How do you prevent this from happening? Why does it even happen?
Why do birds fly into your windows
When a glass is clean, it is very reflective. This reflectiveness causes an optical illusion and totally conceals the presence of the window. Think about this: there are vegetations right outside your home, they reflect on your windows, and a bird in flight sees this reflection, thinks it’s real vegetation, and makes a beeline for a flower to pollinate—and thump! This is a common cause of bird strike on your windows, which can harm the bird and damage your glass.
A bird may even see its reflection on the glass and attack it. It does this thinking it’s a rival or a threat, which often leads to a bird strike on your windows. It could even be the plants behind the windows. Because the window is very clear, the birds can see the house plants clearly as if they weren’t behind glass, totally oblivious to the presence of the window.
Bird-to-window collision can be prevented by taking one of these three steps:
1. Use of string curtains
This is a very effective way to prevent bird strike on your windows and avoid window collisions. You can purchase a string curtain that is decorative and works well to make the windows less reflective. All you need to do is get the best fit that will repel birds effectively.
2. Use of one way transparent films
You may be worried about not being able to see the view outside your windows if you use string curtains. One way transparent films solve that problem for you. It lets you view outside your windows while still providing a beautiful view for people outside. Most importantly, it reduces the reflectivity of the window thereby reduces collision.
3. Use of Decals
You can take advantage of the holiday seasons to use decals. They are decorative and fun. There are different options to choose from. There is the perforated window decal, the opaque window decal, and the clear window decal. Your choice of the decal depends on your preference.
The perforated window decal provides you with a one-way view. This means you will be able to see outside the windows, but people outside are not able to see inside. When placing decals, you can try placing them a foot apart, this allows light in and also reduces reflection.
You have three options to choose from. Get the best fit for your windows. Remember you’re saving the lives of these innocent birds. You can play around with the decorations, you could even use decals to advertise your business logos and store hours for customers. You do not have to put off washing your windows to prevent bird-window collision.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do birds keep flying into clean windows?
Clean windows create an optical illusion that conceals the glass, making birds think they are flying toward real plants, the sky, or even their reflection. This confusion leads to a bird strike on your windows.
Can a bird strike on your windows damage the glass?
Yes, a bird strike on your windows can sometimes cause damage to the glass, such as cracks or chips, especially if the bird hits the window with force.
How can I prevent a bird strike on your windows?
You can prevent bird strike on your windows by using methods like string curtains, one-way transparent films, or decorative decals. These options reduce window reflectivity and help birds recognize the glass as a barrier.
Do decals help reduce bird strikes on your windows?
Yes, decals—especially perforated or opaque types—are effective at reducing bird strike on your windows by breaking up reflections and making the glass more visible to birds.
Will using one-way transparent films affect my view outside?
One-way transparent films are designed to let you see clearly outside while minimizing reflections that cause bird strike on your windows, so your view remains largely unaffected.
