If a home is situated on a busy road, next to a pub or bar, close to a factory or another type of building that generates a great deal of noise, or close to another type of building that generates great deal of noise, then modifications can be made to the home to lessen noise pollution and make it more soundproof. It is essential to do this to guarantee that homeowners will be able to properly unwind and take pleasure in some alone (and the same goes for office buildings where employees need to be able to concentrate). Acoustic glass windows are the optimal alternative for helping to decrease the effect that noise pollution has inside a property because of their ability to absorb sound. To assist you in determining whether or not acoustic glass is the most suitable alternative for your house, we have outlined its characteristics and advantages below.
Acoustic glass vs double glazing
Double glazing consists of not one but two panes of glass that are separated by a layer of inert gas. Similar to inert gas glass, acoustic double glazing consists of two panes of glass sandwiched together with an acoustic interlayer rather than inert gas in between them. This is done to improve the soundproofing properties of the window beyond the insulating qualities already provided by the double glazing. To improve the best windows for soundproofing capabilities of the window, extra layers of glazing may be added, just as they are with regular glazing. However, the addition of these layers is only useful if the thickness of the glass sheets used for each window is different.
A portion of a house that has been soundproofed
The advantages of acoustic laminated glass in terms of noise reduction are immediately apparent; this is particularly true in the case of windows that were previously fitted with single glazing, which offers almost no soundproofing potential. And the performance of acoustic windows can be enhanced even further if they are installed as part of a home that has also been soundproofed in other ways, such as sealing the doors with soundproof strips or laying carpets on exposed flooring to insulate it as much as possible. This can make a significant difference in the quality of the soundproofing that the windows provide. One of the advantages of acoustic glass is that it reduces noise.
Acoustic glass, as its name indicates, is intended to enhance the acoustic levels inside of a house by minimising noise pollution. This, in turn, makes residential and commercial premises more pleasant environments in which to live and sleep.
It may come as a surprise to learn that exposure to loud, undesired noise may have a significant effect on a person’s health. Issues such as high blood pressure, heart disease, disturbed sleep, and stress are all potential outcomes of exposure to noise pollution. Unfortunately, children are particularly susceptible to the negative effects of unwanted noise, which include deficits in their reading abilities, memory, and attention levels.
The most notable benefit of acoustic secondary glazing is the decrease of ambient noise; nevertheless, this is not the only advantage of the contemporary glass solution. When compared to normal single glazing, acoustic glass possesses superior thermal qualities. This is beneficial for lowering monthly utility costs since the thick glass can retain a significant amount of heat, hence maintaining a comfortable temperature inside of a building. In addition, the thickness of the glass makes it harder to shatter or destroy, which makes it difficult for robbers to break into the building.
The thickness of acoustic glass helps to decrease noise pollution while also improving security.
Although acoustic double glazing glass may be found in a wide variety of thicknesses, the standard range for its thickness is between 6.5 and 12.8 millimetres (mm). It is possible to get a glass that is considerably thicker than this, albeit the weight of the glass will increase proportionately with its thickness. Even though it is pricey and the majority of regular window frames won’t be compatible with it, ultra-thick glass is fantastic for minimising the amount of sound that travels through a room. Unfortunately, the ultra-thick glass may also greatly restrict the amount of light that enters a room via the glass. This is especially problematic given that the majority of people like having a great deal of natural light in their living rooms.
Soundproofing capabilities provided by secondary glazing
Secondary glazing is exactly what it sounds like: an additional pane of glass that is added to the back of an existing window that only has a single pane of glass. Secondary glazing is a cost-effective method of achieving some of the advantages of double-glazing, such as improved energy efficiency, enhanced security, and enhanced acoustic performance. Secondary glazing may be installed in place of double-glazing. Listed buildings that don’t have the authorization to modify their single-glazed windows often choose this alternative since it is a popular choice.
It is possible to get a 31–51 dB reduction in the ambient noise level by using a mix of secondary glazing and single glass. Secondary glazing provides an excellent defensive barrier against unwanted noise incursion.
Installation of soundproofing glass in already installed sash windows
It is feasible to install acoustic glass in sash window frames; however, it is vital to enlist the assistance of a specialist since, as was said before, Georgian and Victorian sash windows were only intended for use with a single pane of glass. As a consequence of this, many varieties of glass cannot be used in sash windows because the panes are either too thick to be inserted into the sash or too heavy for the mechanisms to operate as intended when used with the glass.
For custom window installation services, get in touch with CUIN experts today.
