Windows can be poor barriers against traffic noise or even those loud neighbors over the fence.  A standard window with 4mm glass does little to insulate against noise, either open or closed. Even the performance of good insulation within your walls can be substantially reduced by poor window design.

Building a new home or renovating an existing one is an ideal time to consider your acoustic requirements.

For neighborhood, traffic and building noise there are a number of convenient window solutions available as mentioned below.

Double glazing

The most effective barrier against noise is to install a secondary window.

The window installed has a space between the two windows, which will significantly reduce the outside noise.

One of the downsides of large gaps though can be the increase in air movement and will reduce your window’s thermal performance.

Another important consideration is the space required for secondary glazing may not be practical in a normal home.

Standard double glazing with at least a 12mm gap is effective at reducing the transmission of medium to high frequencies (human voice). For low frequencies (traffic) using a different thickness of glass in each pane, or incorporating laminated glass, can help to cut noise transmission.

Laminated glass

Laminated glass is the next best option after secondary glazing to reduce noise but is usually more effective at reducing high frequencies such as aircraft noise.

A thicker interlayer than what is commonly used can also benefit acoustic control.

Thick glass

The thicker the glass, the better the sound insulation properties.

The further the sound has to travel through the glass, the more sound waves will drop off.

Thicker glass is a common solution to reduce low frequency sounds like common traffic and neighborhood noise.

 

Noise reduction table

The table below shows the percentage noise reduction for various options compared to 4mm glass.

Voice noise reduction % Traffic noise reduction %
Single glazing Single glazing
6.38mm laminated glass 13 6.38 laminated glass 24
10mm glass 24 10mm glass 38
10.38mm laminated glass 29 10.38mm laminated glass 43
Double glazing Double glazing
4mm/12mm gap/4mm 19 10mm/12mm gap/6.38mm laminated glass 46
10mm/12mm gap/6mm 34 6mm/10mm gap/4mm 57
6.38 laminated/8mm gap/4mm 46

Tips for reducing noise

  • Use thicker glass to reduce traffic noise
  • Use double glazing to reduce high frequency noise (voices)
  • Install windows away from noise sources
  • Avoid placing windows and doors directly opposite or adjacent to neighbouring houses or units
  • Seal cracks and gaps around windows to achieve better sound reduction
  • Check manufacturer’s claims of noise reduction for both high and low frequencies
  • Consult an acoustic engineer

Are you tired of the boring old single-glazed windows throughout your house?

Have you noticed that your rooms are feeling hotter during the summer months and colder during the winter?

Can you hear the neighbors or the cars from the busy road outside your home constantly?

These are some of the reasons why more people are opting to install double glazing in their windows and doors.

How Do Double Glazed Windows Work?

Double glazed windows consist of two separate panes of glass, placed parallel to each other with a space in between. This gap, or cavity, is either filled with an inert gas such as argon or simply left as a vacuum.

But are these windows really beneficial? We have come up with some pros and cons to help you decide.

ADVANTAGES OF DOUBLE GLAZED WINDOWS

1. They help you save on energy bill.

Double glazing uses two panes of glass which helps to significantly reduce the amount of heat that enters or exits your home. As a result your house is cooler during the summer and warmer during the winter, which means you don have to crank up your air conditioner and heater to reach a comfortable temperature resulting in using less electricity.

 2. Double glazing boosts the soundproofing of your home

When double glazing is installed it will result in your windows being thicker which is more effective in reducing the noise that can enter your home. This is a a great for those that might live near a busy freeway, airport, noisy neighbors or neighborhood pets.

3. They Improve your security

Double glazed windows are tougher to break and are difficult for someone to be able to forcefully open from the outside. Having double glazed windows and doors may discourage burglars from trying to break in due to the degree of difficulty of gaining access.

4. Double Glazing can reduce interior fading

Is your expensive leather couch right next to the window that gets the most sun exposure per day? When furniture and decor are exposed to too much heat they can have a tendency to wear and damage more easily. With less heat making its way into your home your furnishings are better protected.

5. Double glazing can help increase property value

Due to all the benefits listed above if you plan to sell a property having double glazing can look more enticing to a buyer if they were originally worried about the properties location or it being in a noisy location.

DISADVANTAGES OF DOUBLE GLAZED WINDOWS

1. Double glazed windows and doors can trap heat

Although this may be an advantage during winter, but during the summer it can be a problem. A way to combat this is to tint your windows.

2. Double Glazed windows cannot be repaired.

If the seal of your double glazed windows are not air tight then condensation can appear between the panes. And since the windows are already sealed you can’t pull them apart to fix the problem. Instead you have to replace the whole window and end up paying more.

4. They might not be a good match for homes with older architectural styles.

Homes with an older architecture style  may have a mismatched look if you choose to install your typical modern style double glazed windows. There are some specialized double glazing companies that specialize in making double glazed units for older homes or can retro fit into existing windows.

4. Double glazing can cost more initially.

The reason for this is simply because there are two panes of glass instead of just one but if you consider the amount of savings you may get in the long run they may just be a worthwhile investment.

Double Glazing With True Blue Glass

If you’re interested in getting double glazed glass for your windows and doors, contact True Blue Glass to get a free quote.

Double glazing

Double Glazing is the most efficient shield for noise reduction.

Changing existing glass to a thicker alternative is a cheaper option but in most cases is not enough to provide acoustic insulation.

Double glazing is two sheets of glass separated by an air or gas pocket.

Standard double glazed windows have two panes of 4mm glass separated by a 6mm air or gas pocket.

This provides thermal insulation, but not enough acoustic insulation to make a difference if outside noises are a problem.

Researchers have calculated the levels of noise reduction offered by different types of double glazed windows.

A greater gap between panes and using thicker laminated glass are the most effective ways to improve acoustic insulation.

Below are the numbers researchers have come up with.

Percentages are improvements over a standard 4mm single glass window:

There are other alternatives if double glazing is to expensive to find out more click here

Double Glazing is a product we often get asked about here at True Blue Glass

Due to the great weather, the residents of Queensland aren’t usually too concerned with the insulation properties of double-glazed windows

We have found that they are more interested in what they can offer for noise reduction.

Double-glazed windows can offer a significant reduction in the amount of noise penetrating a normal window, however, we find that there are often more cost-effective solutions.

Double glazed windows can be very expensive for example;

The bill for replacing just 3-4 windows on one side of a house could easily reach in excess of $10,000.

After speaking with countless customers regarding their noise problems, many have professed to being totally unaware of any alternatives at all.

Well we have two solutions that we often use that work a treat!

Acoustic laminate

This is a modern glass product that is designed specifically for noise reduction.

Because it is almost the same thickness as normal laminated glass used in any typical house we can often install it directly into existing windows with no trouble at all.

It will reduce the amount of noise penetrating your windows significantly and costs only a small percentage more than a normal glass replacement.

This is the simplest and most cost effective way to reduce noise and we find more and more customers in noisy areas replacing every panel of glass in their house with this product.

Secondary / internal glazing

This consists of installing a basic channel onto the inside window sill of a standard existing window, and putting a fixed panel of glass into the channel.

Doing this will create a makeshift double glazed window, and if acoustic laminate is used it assists further in eliminating those unwanted noises from roads, train lines.

The possible downside to this option is that you will no longer be able to access the original windows from the inside, meaning that they cannot be opened.

If your home or office is subject to unwanted noise then give us a call to discuss what options might suit you best.

True Blue Glass

True Blue Glass
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