Caring For A Bird That Strikes A Window

The Bird Conservation Network claims that more than 100 million North American birds die yearly from impact after a window collision. Most occur in more secluded areas, but they can happen in residential neighbors as well, especially in the spring time when mating season is in full swing. If you have had a bird fly into your window, you may have many questions and concerns. You may be concerned about a cracked window or you may be concerned for the bird. Here are a few questions that may be swirling through your mind when a bird hits your window and the answers to these questions.

Why Do Birds Fly Into Windows?

Glass is translucent and unfortunately, a bird cannot always see that glass is glass or a window is a window. It’s even harder for the bird to tell what it is when they see the reflection of a tree in the window or another bird in the glass. They fly straight into it without ever realizing what occurred. And unfortunately, they typically fly head first right into your hard glass.

What Should You Do If a Bird Hits Your Window?

If a bird hits your window, the first thing that you should do is assess the condition of the bird. Any damage done to your window will remain, but for the bird, it may be a life or death situation.

How Do You Care for a Bird That Has Hit Your Window?

After a bird hits your window, try to locate the bird. It will likely be near the window. If the bird is sitting upright, watch it for about five minutes and see if it recovers. If the bird is simply stunned, it may need a few minutes to collect itself before it flies off. If the bird has not made any attempt to move far after several minutes, you may need to take more action.

If the bird is not moving, throw on a pair of gloves and grab a shoe box or other secure box with a lid. The box should be large enough so the bird can spread her winds. Then poke holes in the top. Line the bottom of the box with something soft, like an old sheet or towel. Place a small bowl of water in there. Lift the bird up and place him inside of it. Place the box somewhere dark and not too hot or cold. After an hour or two has passed, take the box outside and open it up. If the bird has a concussion, it should have healed by now and flown away.

If a bird is convulsing, has an obviously broken wing or does not return to the wild in a couple of hours, you will want to call a local bird or wildlife rehabilitation center.

What Should You Not Do if a Bird Hits Your Window?

If a bird hits your window, you should not leave the bird to recover on its own. Many predators will prey on the helpless bird, who is unable to fly off or fend for itself. It is also important to note that it is illegal to keep a wild bird in your possession for a prolonged period of time. As such, you should always hand it over to a rehabilitator instead of nursing it back to health yourself.

How Do You Inspect Your Window For Damage?

Once the bird is safe or secured, you will want to inspect your window for damage. You will be able to notice any signs of obvious trauma, such as cracked window or a chipped window. If either of these are present, you may need to have resin injected into the glass to keep the chip or crack from growing, or replace the window for aesthetic reasons.

You should also gently push on the window. Depending on the size of the bird, the impact could be so great that the bird could have damaged the seal holding your window in place. If the window wiggles or moves when you push on the glass, you will want to contact a window repair company to examine the glass or reinforce it.

When Should Your Window Be Repaired or Replaced?

As a general rule of thumb, if you do not see any damage, your window or glass likely does not need to be repaired or replaced.

If there is damage, the size of the damage and your aesthetic preferences determine whether the window can be repaired or replaced. A chip larger than the size of a quarter should not be repaired. And a crack that cannot be hidden under a dollar bill is too large too fix. However, keep in mind that filling in the crack or chip will not cause it to go away. It will be visible. As such, if you want perfect looking windows, your only option at that point may simply be to replace them, rather than to have them repaired.

If a bird has flown into your window, the first thing to do is assess the health of the bird. If the bird is still alive, you will want to care for the bird. Once you have done all you can do for the bird, it is time to inspect your window. If your window is in need of window repair or window replacement, contact one of our glass specialists to assist you with making the needed repairs.

from Superior Glass Window Repair in Phoenix AZ http://windowrepairphoenix.com/caring-for-a-bird-that-strikes-a-window/

New Window Replacement in Phoenix AZ

This was a recent window replacement project for Superior Glass in Phoenix, Arizona.

from Superior Glass Window Repair in Phoenix AZ http://windowrepairphoenix.com/new-window-replacement-in-phoenix-az/

A Guide To Energy Efficient Windows For Arizona Homeowners

According to the US Department of Energy (DoE), windows account for about 50% of the energy loss in a building or home, with single-glazed windows and clear glass being the biggest culprits. For this reason, if you live in an area that tends to be extremely hot in the summer and cold in the winter, such as the Arizona desert, you should install energy-efficient windows. Below is a brief history and the latest information about energy-efficient windows.

The Progression of Window Technology from Past to Present

Energy Efficient Home Windows For Phoenix Arizona

Energy-efficient window technology has evolved considerably since the 1950s when Alastair Pilkington, technical director of British glass manufacturer Pilkington Brothers, invented a process of creating float glass, which was the flattest and most even glass at the time. This high-quality glass was a significant breakthrough in energy-efficient window technology because it made possible the application of window coatings. In fact, float glass is used in all windows today. The 1950s also saw the emergence of insulated glass (Thermopane), a technology that was originally patented in 1865. Designed to mimic the double glass liner of a Thermos bottle, the original version of the Thermopane consisted for two glass panes joined together with an air space between them. Over time, glass manufactures widened the space between the two panes to boost the energy efficiency of the glass. To prevent the structure from collapsing due to stress forces, glass manufactures use steel and rubber spacers to absorb expansion and contraction movement of the glass panes. By 2007, about 90% of all windows installed on residential and commercial buildings in the US had insulating glazing by 2007.

The 1980s produced the low-E glass as well as gas-filled IGUs. A low-E coating basically a thin layer of transparent metal that reflects light in or out of a room. Released in 1981, the first low-E coating contained a suspended film. Today, however, glass manufacturers simply deposit the coating on the glass, thereby reducing the cost of production. Additionally, glass manufacturers may fill the air space between panes with a low-conductivity gas, such as argon or krypton, to reduce heat loss by convection. As of 2005, over 50% of all windows contained a low-E coating.

One of the most notable inventions of the 2000s in this space is the dynamic glass, which is essentially a window glass that can switch from clear to opaque to control the amount of heat leaving or entering a room. This aspect differentiates it from a privacy glass, which has no energy-saving function.

How Energy Efficient Windows Can Lower Energy Costs

While windows provide a building with ventilation, warmth and light, they can have a negative impact on a building’s energy efficiency. Unfortunately, poor energy efficiency often means higher energy costs. Fortunately, you can cut your energy costs by either improving the energy efficiency of your existing home windows or replacing your windows with energy-efficient windows.

You can use various strategies to make your existing windows more energy efficient and improve the indoor comfort of your home. For instance, you can add storm windows to reduce air leakage and improve your indoor comfort. Secondly, you can use caulking and weather stripping to reduce air leakage around your windows. The former is ideal for stationary gaps, cracks or small joints (less than one-quarter inch wide), whereas the latter is ideal for operable windows and doors (building components that move). Thirdly, you can use energy-efficient window coverings and treatments to reduce heat gain in the summer and heat loss in winter. It is worth noting that window treatments and coverings are largely ineffective at reducing infiltration and air leakage.

In some case, it may be more cost-effective and practical to replace your old windows with new, energy-efficient windows. While the initial cost of installing new energy-efficient may be high, you will recoup your initial investment over time through lower cooling and heating costs. Some of the key factors to consider when choosing energy-efficient windows include the R-value, design and installation procedure.

Latest Technology Innovations in Energy Efficient Windows

Cross-section of multi pane energy efficient window

Windows account to up to 50% of a building’s energy loss, says the DoE. For this reason, researchers in the field are constantly working to develop more energy efficient windows. For instance, the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) is currently developing an innovative insulation window film capable of reducing a building’s energy use by as much as 33%. Consisting of nano-to micrometer-sized vacuum capsules sturdy enough to be integrated with standard window plastics, the NREL’s vacuum insulation film can be applied like a typical low-emissivity (low-e) coating.

Early estimates from the NREL indicate that the thermal resistance of a millimeter thick layer of the vacuum insulation film is R-20. Put another way, the vacuum insulation film is as good as standard wall insulation. Besides reducing energy loss, the film also preserves the view and improves a building’s indoor comfort. Additionally, this new technology, which combines vacuum insulation materials and processes with low-emissivity plastic films, will improve the energy efficiency of the existing window retrofit technologies by as much as 80% without significantly increasing the cost of such technologies. It is worth noting that you can retrofit this vacuum insulation film onto your windows, which means you would not necessary need to undertake expensive repair or renovation projects in order to enjoy the benefits of this vacuum insulation film.

Considerations for Arizona Residents

If you live in Phoenix, AZ, you should install energy-efficient windows or upgrade to insulated glass windows as part of a renovation project. Such windows can help you lower your energy consumption, and ultimately, your energy costs. Your home should be designed with a balance between viewing the beauty of the desert from inside your home to the energy efficiency of the building envelope. To get a fee price quote on upgrading and replacing your windows, please contact us.

from Superior Glass Window Repair in Phoenix AZ http://windowrepairphoenix.com/a-guide-to-energy-efficient-windows-for-arizona-homeowners/