Bird populations in North America have declined by nearly 30 percent since 1970, and the American Bird Conservancy (ABC) reports that building collisions kill more than one billion birds in the U.S. every year.

This alarming statistic is a major reason why bird-friendly glass has gained traction over the past decade. But beyond conservation, installing bird-friendly glass can also earn building owners LEED points and help reduce maintenance costs.

Let’s explore why.

What Does Bird-Friendly Glass Do?

Birds do not instinctively recognize glass as a barrier. Many mistake reflections of landscapes, sky, or other buildings for open space, leading to dangerous collisions.

As Kaitlyn Parkins from the ABC explains, “Birds generally cannot see or recognize glass. When they see vegetation or the sky reflected in windows, they perceive it as habitat and do not know there’s a barrier in the way that they cannot fly through.”

Bird-friendly glass mitigates these collisions by making glass more visible to birds:

• It incorporates printed patterns or coatings—often ultraviolet (UV) coatings—since birds can perceive UV light, making the glass more detectable.
• Popular types include Pilkington AviSafe (which features a UV patterned coating) and Saflex FlySafe (which utilizes a 3D reflective technology with layered sequins).
• Most bird-friendly glass follows the 2×4 rule: patterns must be no more than two inches apart horizontally and four inches apart vertically to remain effective.

Benefits of Bird-Friendly Glass

The advantages of incorporating bird-friendly glass into building facades are so significant that the New York City Council passed a 2020 law mandating bird-friendly design standards, with other jurisdictions following suit. Here are some key benefits:

Reduced bird mortality

By preventing collisions, bird-friendly glass conserves bird populations and biodiversity. The ABC reports that only about 40 percent of birds survive after a window collision, underscoring the urgency of adopting bird-friendly designs.

Sustainability ratings

Bird collision deterrence can contribute to sustainability certifications like LEED. For example, the LEED Platinum Learning Center at the Chicago Botanic Garden earned six LEED Innovation points by installing bird-friendly materials.

LEED Innovation points for bird-friendly design are awarded based on a Bird Collision Rating (BCR) calculation, where buildings must achieve a rating of 15 or lower. Notable projects incorporating bird-friendly glass include the Johnson Space Center in Houston, the Fiserv Forum Arena in Milwaukee, and the Toronto-Dominion Centre.

Potential Cost Savings

Bird-friendly glass not only supports sustainability goals but can also reduce long-term costs:

• It minimizes maintenance expenses by reducing the need to clean up bird strikes and associated pest problems.
• Studies indicate that bird-friendly glass adds just one percent to the total cost of an $8 million building, making it an affordable upgrade.
• In office settings, reducing bird collisions can improve employee morale and productivity, as witnessing bird strikes can be distressing.
• When combined with energy-efficient coatings like Low-E glass, bird-friendly glass also enhances thermal performance, contributing to overall energy savings.

Make Your Next Project More Sustainable with Bird-Friendly Glass

Unicel Architectural specializes in sustainable and high-performance glazing solutions including Vision Control® louvered insulating glass units, timber curtain walls, and aluminum curtain walls and skylights for commercial, institutional, and residential projects around the world.

All Unicel Architectural glazing products are custom made in our advanced manufacturing facility and come in a range of shapes and sizes, including timber curtain walls with glass spans of of up to 30 feet (9 m) and a single mullion up to 46 feet (14 m).

We also offer a wide range of custom glass options, including Low-E, tempered, lead, laser-protective, bullet-resistant, and bird-friendly printed glass.

Contact Unicel Arthitectural today to learn how we can help you create sustainable, bird-friendly building designs.