Windows for noise prevention

Hi,

I am interested in any recommendations for windows that provide good sound insulation. We live on a busy road and are exposed to a lot of traffic noise. We currently have double hung windows and I am looking into options for replacement.

I have done some reading and from what i have seen the best results are achieved with double glazing with heavy glass (6-10mm) with a large (50 - 100mm) air gap. I have also read that casement and awning windows perform better than double hung windows.

I have looked into some of the retrofit options such as magnetite (www.magnetite.com.au) but am concerned about the appearance and that it is not properly integrated with the existing window. Also to open the windows requires removing the panels.

I have called around some of the window companies in Melbourne but so far none of them seem to produce anything in the configuration described above. Some of them have recommended double glazing options with a 12mm air gap, however everything I have read suggests that 12mm is not a sufficient gap for sound reduction.

Does anyone have experience with windows specifically designed for noise prevention? Can you recommend any joiners?

thanks, iain.

In summer, should you have to open the windows for ventilation then all the window specifications for sound insulation 'go out the window'.

Obviously, ventilation is something that has to be considered along with sound insulation.

Zelk

Yes it is a requirement that we can open the windows when required. Obviously when the windows are open they will provide no sound insulation, however this can be timed for quieter times of the day and when we are not trying to sleep.

I've stayed in a few hotels lately that have added a secondary overlay on noisy windows. Think of a frame with a rubber (?) seal and a panel of "glass", where the frame surrounds the existing window. They're usually screwed in place, but I've seen some which slide, and some which are hinged to allow easier access to the window.

The sliding ones are OK for ventilation if you're prepared to accept the noise as soon as you open a window. But open windows aren't usually a priority in most hotels, they're more concerned about noise reduction.

They worked better than I would have expected.

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I am interested in any recommendations for windows that provide good sound insulation. We live on a busy road and are exposed to a lot of traffic noise. We currently have double hung windows and I am looking into options for replacement.

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Standard double glazing in the UK is 2 x 4mm glass with an 18mm gap filled with Argon I think though the gas may have changed.

The 2 panes of glass have an aluminum spacer sealed with a type of silicon to seal the unit.

http://bp0.blogger.com/_hFCZl0ZWv0c/...zing_Glass.jpg

More here » http://srt251psc.blogspot.com/

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Standard double glazing in the UK is 2 x 4mm glass with an 18mm gap filled with Argon I think though the gas may have changed.

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Thanks for the reply. Most double glazing solutions seemed to have been designed with thermal insulation in mind. The link you provided seems to fit into this category too.

Literature on sound insulation indicates that a larger air gap is required than what is normally used for thermal insulation. E.g. See Your Home Technical Manual under glazing:

http://www.yourhome.gov.au/technical/fs53.htm#design

Some residents in the UK even go for triple glazing on extremely busy roads. In some cases if a dual carriage way is installed that will be extremely busy roadside residents will have triple glaze installed by local authorities.

Double glazing is standard and fitted mostly to UPVC awning windows and to a lesser extent double hung UPVC.

Im unsure whether an Australian glazing company has the capacity/infrastructure to produce the sealed Argon units demonstrated?

http://www.pilkington.com/applicatio...ol/default.htm

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http://www.pilkington.com/pilkington...rol-medium.gif
Noise Control


Overview

Pilkington Optilam™ Phon is the ideal choice of glass for sound control in situations where there is excess noise from roads, rail, air traffic and other sources. Using a PVB (polyvinyl butyral) specific interlayer, Pilkington Optilam™ Phon is a high quality acoustic laminated glass that offers excellent noise reduction.
Pilkington Optilam™ is produced by combining two or more sheets of glass with PVB interlayers, and it is this lamination that enables it to offer impact protection and safety. By varying the number of layers and thickness of the glass, it can offer wide-ranging benefits and be used in various applications.

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http://www.pilkington.com/applicatio...ol/default.htm

hello,

i had simialar problem and researched and like you discovered the requirement for a large air gap ie. 50-100mm

so I installed a secondary double glazed window on the inside, so in 2 bedrooms I now have the existing external 4mm window, then around 80-90mm air gap and then a double glazed unit with typical configuration 4mm/10mm/4mm

it is fantastic for both heating, cooling and noise reduction and very happy with results

i also looked into those mentioned by you,

in europe many places have shutter type window systems where you can achieve a 100mm or so cavity and just use 4-6mm glass for each shutter,

i would look to getting a double or single hung double glazed unit as a complete secondary window

in my view the current double glazed systems in aus is really only for show, many single pane would achieve similar results and with sealing around windows and doors probably more important

even if you went with a secondary window frame with single pane the results would be exceptional

thankyou
myla

I think the gas (Argon?) reduces the need for such a large gap between the glass?

Ideally a vacuum would reduce the noise dramatically.

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Originally Posted by myla

hello,

i had simialar problem and researched and like you discovered the requirement for a large air gap ie. 50-100mm

so I installed a secondary double glazed window on the inside, so in 2 bedrooms I now have the existing external 4mm window, then around 80-90mm air gap and then a double glazed unit with typical configuration 4mm/10mm/4mm

it is fantastic for both heating, cooling and noise reduction and very happy with results

i also looked into those mentioned by you,

in europe many places have shutter type window systems where you can achieve a 100mm or so cavity and just use 4-6mm glass for each shutter,

i would look to getting a double or single hung double glazed unit as a complete secondary window

in my view the current double glazed systems in aus is really only for show, many single pane would achieve similar results and with sealing around windows and doors probably more important

even if you went with a secondary window frame with single pane the results would be exceptional

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Hi Myla,

What you are describing sounds a lot more like what I am looking for. How did you go about it getting it done? Did you come up with the design and approach a joinery? Is there anyone you could recommend for construction and installation of the windows?

thanks, Iain.

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Originally Posted by autogenous

Standard double glazing in the UK is 2 x 4mm glass with an 18mm gap filled with Argon I think though the gas may have changed.

The 2 panes of glass have an aluminum spacer sealed with a type of silicon to seal the unit.

http://bp0.blogger.com/_hFCZl0ZWv0c/...zing_Glass.jpg

More here » http://srt251psc.blogspot.com/

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this type of window is very effective agains traffic noise. i worked in a house that faces a highway with trucks and busses as well as heavy traffic and you cant hear the traffic even during peak hour with the windows closed, its whisper quiet (this is also a double brick construction) open them up and its traffic noise galore.

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Originally Posted by iainpople

Yes it is a requirement that we can open the windows when required. Obviously when the windows are open they will provide no sound insulation, however this can be timed for quieter times of the day and when we are not trying to sleep.

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In Sydney, the houses in the flight path had their windows insulated, the various ways already mentioned, in conjunction with fitted ducted air conditioning and timer controlled fan forced air distribution.

Zelk

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Yes it is a requirement that we can open the windows when required. Obviously when the windows are open they will provide no sound insulation, however this can be timed for quieter times of the day and when we are not trying to sleep.

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This is generally a fire escape strategy. If you are installing non-sealed units then you will still need the crystals to stop condensation/misting between the two glass panes.

http://www.eurocell.co.uk/windows.html

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Originally Posted by iainpople

Hi Myla,

What you are describing sounds a lot more like what I am looking for. How did you go about it getting it done? Did you come up with the design and approach a joinery? Is there anyone you could recommend for construction and installation of the windows?

thanks, Iain.

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hello,

i used uPVC from a company who are no longer around (all-ways windows),

my outside was simply timber awning window, and the new one's were double slider i installed my self,

i would consult some custom timber window manufacturer's on the smaller side ie. owner-operator, pick ten out of the yellow pages

my walls are double brick cavity construction with solid plaster on inside with no architraves so I simply put window into opening and sealed around flush,

if you have architraves you may look at taking them off, install new secondary window and then replace architraves, paint patch-up etc

thanks

myla