This past week I was speaking to my parents on the phone and heard a commotion in the background. Apparently, a bird had struck the window and was in a daze. My parents explained that this happens quite often and scares them as well as their parrot who let out the loud shriek I heard when the impact occurred. The mourning dove that struck the window was stunned for a few minutes but eventually flew away. I mentioned this to a friend at work, and he said the same thing happens at his home and that there is usually a bird fatality every few months. So why do birds do this and what can be done?

As I did some research, I discovered that birds fly into windows for a few reasons. During the day, birds may see a reflection of the sky or trees and think that they have a clear path. For a bird, the reflected landscape can cause confusion and ultimately deadly window strikes. Even if a bird is stunned and eventually flies away, they may still die due to internal bleeding or bruising, especially bruising of the brain.

During mating season, birds may also fly into windows if they see their own reflection. These birds attack the window as a territorial display. This type of activity, however, is not typically a threat to the bird’s survival.

The last example occurs at night. For reasons unknown, nocturnal migrants are said to be lured in by the lights and may collide with other birds, lighted windows, or structures. This issue is especially prevalent in foggy or low-ceiling conditions.

One of the best ways to deter birds and ensure that they recognize a window as a barrier versus a clear path is to apply paint, tape, decals, stickers, or other adhesives to the outside of your window to break up the reflection and transparency. Whether using tempera paint or adhesive strips, make sure the vertical markings are no further than four inches apart, and if applying horizontal markings, one to two inches apart. This ensures a space that the bird would not be able to fly through and therefore recognize as a barrier in their path.

Screens or netting may also be effective if placed on the outside of the window as well as shutters, awnings, and anything that will obscure the reflection. Interior vertical blinds that are set with the slats at least halfway closed have also helped in some cases. Lastly, there are also companies that have created a transparent one-way film that makes your windows appear opaque from the outside but will still allow you to see out while you are inside.

If you’ve heard the thud of a window strike before, I hope you take a moment to consider ways to alleviate this issue and protect your winged visitors. We can all do our part to ensure an environment suitable for ourselves and our feathered friends.

Washing windows is super easy. You simply get them wet, then dry them off and viola, you are done. Right? Not so fast. Sure you can clean your own windows, many people do, but what if it’s your job to get your commercial building’s windows clean? Are you going to do that alone, with your bucket of water? Chances are no, you’re not and with good reason. This is why we have professional window cleaners in the world.

There is little argument that clean windows just make buildings look better. The people on the outside can see them sparkle and shine and those on the inside can see out through a pristine window. It’s a win-win for all. If your building is multi story (think skyscrapers and office buildings) there is only so far up you can wash before you need to bring in the heavy equipment and the professionals. This is a no brainer. They have the people who know what they are doing and they have the tools to get them to the top washing as they go.

Even if your commercial building isn’t a high rise, it’s still best to get the professionals on the case? Why? Because they save you time and effort, they do a great job and they will wash your windows better than anyone else can.

Professionals can spot problems like cracks, breaks in the casings and bugs that have taken up residence in the window area. They know how to treat everything and all types of glass so that you can be assured it is all taken care of properly the first time. Bug problems are history and any damage can be addressed before it gets bigger and costs more money to fix.

The professional window cleaner also knows how to deal with tinted or coloured glass which is prevalent in a lot of office buildings. They can’t be cleaned the regular way because they need special care to keep looking great and working at their highest level possible. Because a lot of high rise windows don’t open, problems on the outside can only be spotted by that professional commercial window cleaner.

The bottom line is, we have window cleaners who specialize in the work, so why would we even try to tackle it ourselves? They will do the job faster, better and the results will last longer than anything we can try, call them in today!

Windows are one of the primary places where conditioned air can escape your home during those hot summer months causing you to run that air conditioner for prolonged periods of time. Energy efficient windows can save homeowners money on energy costs long-term. They can also improve the look of your home, and add value to your home should you decide to put your home on the market for resale. Replacing warn out windows is often best left to a professional window replacement contractor, although many handy do-it-yourself homeowners have the knowledge, skills and tools to install the windows themselves.

Consider a Do-It-Yourself Installation

Many homeowners have the necessary skills and know-how to properly install replacement windows. If you are thinking about installing your own windows, there are some very important factors to consider before beginning the installation process. Although it is recommended to hire a trained professional, here are some tips.

Whatever the window style, windows typically install using the same methods. It is critical that you take careful measurements of your rough window openings to ensure that you end up with the proper window sizes.

The other two important factors to consider for a successful installation are leveling, and ensuring that your window remains square to allow for proper operation of its moving parts. If you have basic home improvement knowledge, skills and tools, you can install your own windows. New modern windows are already assembled, and ready for installation. Your new windows will almost always have to be custom fitted for the opening, as window openings move over time.

Improper Installation Problems

Improper installation can lead to frame distortion and cold air infiltration. Gas-filled windows can start to leak through cracks and high-performance windows become inefficient and ineffective. Another very important consideration is the fact that with Do-It-Yourself installation; there is no warranty. If you choose to install the replacement windows yourself, be sure to measure each opening separately for an accurate measurement, as this is critical for top window performance.

Consider Hiring a Professional Window Contractor

Many homeowners simply do not have the time or the skills necessary to install replacement windows on their own. There are many benefits to having a professional window contractor help you with this process.

A professional window contractor will listen carefully to your needs, and provide the necessary and appropriate suggestions and work. Hiring an expert provides the peace of mind you need when entering into the realm of window replacement.

A contractor can guarantee that the quality installation will by satisfactory to the homeowner, ensuring that the window installation is done correctly so you can enjoy the benefits of your newly installed windows immediately. It is always a good policy to ask for references before hiring a contractor.

In 2018, there were reports of more than 700,000 vehicle theft incidents. Generally, vehicles that have something valuable inside them are more likely to be broken into. But there should be a way to prevent these incidents. In this article, we are going to talk about the importance of window tinting. We will shed some light on the benefits of this approach for your vehicles. Read on to find out more.

1. Blocking the UV Rays

The ultraviolet rays from the Sun are a type of electromagnetic radiation. Long-term exposure to UV radiation may cause skin burns and symptoms of aging. At the same time, ultraviolet rays may also lead to different types of skin cancers.

If you have your car windows tinted, you can prevent ultraviolet rays from causing damage to your skin. The good news is that tinted windows can block almost all of the UV radiation. Therefore, you can stay safe inside your car even if you drive for hours on a daily basis.

2. Protection in case of an Accident

Although nobody wants to have a car accident, these unfortunate events happen on a daily basis. Shattered glasses are one of the most common causes of injury in these accidents. Car windows tend to shatter when something hard hits them.

Therefore, you can benefit from having your car windows tinted. The thin film in the glass prevents your car window from being shattered into pieces. Therefore, you can be on the safe side in case of a car accident.

3. Protected Upholstery

Apart from damaging your skin, ultraviolet rays from the Sun can negatively impact other objects inside your car. For instance, furniture items tend to develop a faded color with the passage of time. The same is true about car upholstery.

If you have had your car modified recently, we suggest that you go for window tinting in order to protect your new upholstery.

4. Protection from Solar Heat

The sun produces ultraviolet radiation. Apart from this, sunlight can produce a lot of heat inside your car on hot summer days. Therefore, you will be forced to use the air conditioner more frequently. As a result, the performance of your car will go down, which will increase the fuel consumption as well.

The good thing about window tinting is that it can protect your car against Solar heat. As a matter of fact, this approach can help insulate your car, which will keep your vehicle cool on hot summer days. Therefore, when you get in your car, you will not have to turn on the air conditioner.

5. Safer Driving Experience

As far as window tinting is concerned, you can enjoy a lot of benefits. Another great benefit is that you won’t have to deal with that annoying glare while driving in the direction of the sun. This will prevent the need to put on glasses every time you sit behind the wheel. As a matter of fact, glare can negatively impact your driving experience and you will be more likely to have an accident.

In short, this was the description of some common benefits of window tinting.

If you want to brighten up a room or your entire home, there is no less expensive way than to have clean windows. However, getting the windows to look good with no streaks can be a problem. Clean windows let in more light and brighten any room but a streaky window can be more of a negative than a positive.

Follow these simple tips for window cleaning no streak solutions.

The first tip is to never use paper towels or cloths of any kind on windows. Paper towels leave small particles on the glass and cloth will leave lint behind. Either of these solutions will leave unsightly streaks on the windows. A better solution is to use coffee filters. They fit the hand, are absorbent and don’t leave lint.

You should use the right tools for window cleaning no streak solutions such as a squeegee or scrubber. The proper tools will have your windows looking like a professional window cleaner did them for you.

A scrubber is padded and used for cleaning or scrubbing the dirt away. A squeegee is a long metal “blade” with a rubber edge, somewhat similar to a window wiper. You could replace a scrubber with a regular, cleaning sponge if you don’t have a scrubber—it works just as well. Window cleaners will work well, but be sure that those cleaners have vinegar in the ingredients. Commercial window cleaners often leave a waxy film on the window. Vinegar and water works very well if no waxy film is present but if you’ve used commercial cleaners in the past, it’s a good idea to add ½ teaspoon of liquid dish soap to the window cleaning solution to remove the film. Just using vinegar and water on a window with a film will leave the window streaky.

Vinegar and water is very environmentally friendly to clean windows. If dish soap is added on the first cleaning after using a commercial cleaner, it’s only necessary the first time and in such a small amount that its impact on the environment is minimal.

For a really streak free clean just crumple up newspapers to use instead of paper towels or a cloth of any kind to wipe away excess water and cleaning fluid.

Another great tip for window cleaning is to clean on a cloudy day. If the day is extremely hot or the window is in direct sunlight the windows will dry any solution you are using too quickly. Drying too quickly will leave streaks or water spots, which aren’t desirable.

Owners of commercial buildings or large homes often opt to keep certain lights in and around the building 24 hours a day. This decision is typically made for security reasons, but one of the drawbacks of this choice is that the lights attract a number of different bugs-most notably, the stinkbug. Luckily, commercial window film can help combat any unfortunate infestations.

The Source of the Problem

When commercial lights are left on at all hours, they tend to generate significant amounts of heat, even if they are energy efficient bulbs. Bugs are attracted to the warmth and glow of most of these commercial lights, and are particularly apt to gravitate towards buildings during the night. Inevitably, they will then find their way into the building through a crack in the wall and make themselves at home.

Commercial Window Tint as a Solution

Window tint works to keep out bugs by blocking out some of the light emitted from the buildings. The lights will still remain on for building security, but they will be dimmed closer to the building itself by the tinted film on the windows. Thus, while bugs might make their way close to the building itself, they will be less likely to move toward (and through) the windows, which will be darker and cooler than they were previously.

Additional Benefits of Window Film

While commercial window film can successfully keep bugs away from buildings, its benefits extend beyond that effect. In fact, window film was created for insulation purposes. It reduces the amount of heat or air-conditioning that is lost from the inside of a building, and has been proven to reduce a company’s heating and cooling costs by over 25%. Moreover, commercial window film also blocks harmful UV rays from the sun, reduces sunlight reflection on computer and television screens, and helps to maintain a constant temperature from room to room.

Best Options for Window Film

The key to getting the most out of commercial window film is selecting a manageable tint. In other words, building owners will want to ensure that the film is dark enough to successfully keep out bugs and insulate the windows themselves, but not so dark that the building appears formidable from the outside. An opaque vinyl window tint is typically the best option, since it prevents light from shining through the windows without shrouding the entire building in shadow.

Application

It is possible to find DIY window film installation kits at any major hardware store. However, because applying window film can be a time-consuming and difficult project, it is best to hire professionals to install it. The professional company will also help ensure that the tint is the appropriate shade for the building in question. Costs for the project will range depending on the size of the building and the number of windows that need treatment.

Commercial window film can be customized to suit a building’s overall style and color. If the exterior of the building is brown, for instance, the installation company can use a tint that complements that hue, thus seamlessly and invisibly blending the film into the exterior itself. As a result, the building will be both attractive and bug-free.

If you have a two story house, and you are going to replace the windows on both the first and second floor, there are little tricks that you can use to make the upper floor job a bit safer and easier. If the windows are replacement style frames, you install them from inside the house, so the only thing that you will do different than the first floor windows is to use an extension ladder to caulk the exterior. So, let’s talk about doing retrofit style windows on the second floor. You can usually remove the old window from inside the house, but if you have a picture window, you have to use the extension ladder to remove the stops holding the glass in place. Then, you can go inside the house and cut the glass free from the frame using a utility knife. Put a tarp on the ground below the window, to catch any glass pieces that may fall during the removal. Also, don’t forget to keep people and animals away from the area below the window.

Once you are ready to install the new window, you can do it from inside the house. Remember, when installing retrofit style frames, you install them from outside and raise them into place. Instead, carry the window upstairs. If it’s a slider, remove the screen and sliding panel. Then, using a helper, you can angle the window frame through the opening, extending the retrofit lip completely outside of the opening before pulling the window back toward you, and installing the window as if you were outside. Have your helper hold the center bar while you put a screw into the top center to hold the frame in place. You can do the entire installation from inside. The only time you will need to go on the extension ladder is when you’re ready to caulk the exterior. Make sure you put a generous amount of caulk where the top of the frame meets the stucco or exterior material. You don’t want any water getting past the new frame, otherwise it can work it’s way through the wall and down through the ceiling or the walls. You would be surprised how easily two people can install an 8′ wide by 5′ tall sliding window on the second floor if you remove the sliding panels and screens. In fact, my helper and I did one 10′ wide and 5′ high. That was the biggest one I ever did on the second floor. You can run a bead of caulk on the outside face of the old frame before installing the new frame right from inside the room.

Now, if you are installing a picture window, it’s a little tougher. You can’t remove any panels to lighten the load, and it’s tougher to get as firm a grip on the frame. But, on the positive side, picture windows aren’t usually much larger than 3′ by 5′ on the second floor. If you have a large picture window, or if you have several to install, I have access to suction cups that are used in the glass industry. You can attach them to the glass and use them as handles when extending the frame outside through the opening. Contact me on my website at How to install windows if you want to get pricing on suction cups. You can get the smaller, inexpensive models for around $40 each.

So, if you are hesitating to replace your old windows yourself because you didn’t think you could do the upstairs windows, now you know you can. Next week’s topic is going to be about replacing the rollers on your patio door. If you can’t hardly open your sliding glass door anymore, a couple of new rollers can make all the difference in the world.

Stink bugs are notorious for their persistence when it comes to seeking to gain entry into your house during the autumn months.

1. Stink bugs want to come inside the house during the winter.

Have you noticed that the peak season for stink bug infestation problems within domestic households in North America is during the onset of autumn? This is not by mere chance or coincidence. Stink bugs are no different than any other insect or animal that instinctively seeks to escape the harshness of winter either by hibernating or by migrating south. What makes stink bugs stand apart from other insects is in their persistence when it comes to matters of seeking shelter in warm places during autumn and winter. Whereas it is very rare to find bugs lurking about in your house during the winter months, stink bugs are a notable exception.

2. They will seek any means to get into the house.

If a stink bug is unable to seek shelter in a warm household during the winter months, it will inevitably hibernate. But during the autumn months of September and October, you will find these little critters to be among the most persistent when it comes to trying to gain entry into your home for the winter. Wherever they can find any type of opening in your house, somehow they will manage to make their way indoors, where it is warm. This opening could be a crack in your house’s foundation, the exhaust fan pipes from your clothes dryer, your stove exhaust vent, your chimney, gaps in your window sills, tears in your window screens, or any other crevice that they can find. Suffice it to say that if there is a way to get into your home, a determined stink bug will find a way. This is their mission in life during the autumn months.

3. The Window Air Conditioner Unit is one of the most vulnerable parts of the home.

Among the many different ways that there are for stink bugs to gain access into your home, the window air conditioner unit is one of the single most vulnerable. It is, after all, an actual opening into your home. Designed for air to be sucked into your home from outside, it is an open invitation for these bugs to crawl straight through. This is of course a common problem with any opening into your home, be it a central air conditioning unit, or any other exhaust pipe leading out of your house. Stink bugs can make their way through these as well. The main difference is that the distance between the outside world and the inside of your house is very small, and is a relatively short distance for a stink bug to trek before it finally emerges into your home. If you don’t take the necessary precautions and safeguards to seal off your window air conditioner unit and make it completely air tight and impenetrable, except for the flow of air molecules themselves, then this unit becomes an open invitation for stink bugs to make their way into your home.

4. The problems with window air conditioner units.

Because air conditioner units are units that are fitted into an opening that is cut out of your wall, you must be mindful of the fact that even the tiniest gaps between the unit and the wall can be just big enough for stink bugs to slip through. And believe it not, stink bugs can and will find a way to get through this unit, once they are able to detect the presence of heat emanating from that unit. Stink bugs are notorious for penetrating homes and making their way indoors, and are equally notorious for their persistence at doing so.

5. How to safeguard your window air conditioner units.

While most professionally installed air conditioner units are designed to fit precisely into the opening in your exterior wall, it is inevitable that sometimes you might end up with a unit that is not a perfect fit, even by a few millimeters. This is true of both new installations and replacements, as well as with existing units that have been in your window for a long time. Here are some tips on how you can safeguard your window air conditioner units so as to prevent stink bugs from making their way through in order to get inside your home:

i) Use duct tape.

Duct tape is an extremely effective way to seal off any gaps between your window air conditioning unit and the wall. It provides a solid, impenetrable barrier. Plus, it is adhesive, so it is very unlikely to come undone, plus it can trap any stink bugs that do come in contact with the adhesive surfaces, thwarting their attempts to gain entry into your home.

ii) Spray the window with dish soap.

This may sound like an odd solution, but the fact of the matter is that dish washing liquid soap has proven to be lethal to stink bugs and acts as an excellent deterrent against them. By spraying the exterior of your window with dish soap, this should be sufficient to drive them away. Of course, if it not practical to spray the window with dish soap yourself, then you may want to have your window (as well as the rest of your house) professionally power washed.

iii) Caulk the window.

If you have any gaps in your window sill or in the areas between where your window meets the window frame, you may want to fill these up with caulk. Once the caulk dries, this will form a solid, water-proof impenetrable barrier that stink bugs will not be able to pass. Also, if any stink bugs have managed to get into your home through these cracks and are hiding within the walls, then this will take care of them. By sealing off the openings with caulk, this will trap, suffocate, and kill off any stink bugs that might be hiding within your walls, so that they cannot come back out and lurk about within your house.

6. Cover your air conditioning unit.

One thing you can do is permanently can encase your air conditioner unit with a cover that has gaps that are too narrow for bugs to pass through but are just large enough for air molecules to pass through. This case would be somewhat akin to a cage.

Yet another way to cover your air conditioner would be completely enshroud it within a cover when it is not in use, particularly during the winter months.

Removing window air conditioner units completely during the winter months is also an option, provided that you are able to board up the gap in the wall completely, caulk the edges, and ensure that it is air-tight.

Having a window air conditioner is a necessity during the summer months, in houses that do not have central air conditioning. Unfortunately, the luxury and comfort of having air conditioning comes at a price… the trade off is in the amount of effort you must put in to ensure that your unit does not leave your home vulnerable to an infestation of stink bugs.