Struggling to find quiet at home because of noise getting into your space? Take a minute to read our guide to soundproof windows as they might just remedy the situation.
What Exactly Are Soundproof Windows?
A soundproof window is intended to shrink and impede sound transmission from outside to inside a home, or the other way around. This is therefore helpful for any homeowner living in a property that’s close to a major road, airport or railway.
Largely, a soundproof window will include laminated glass or double or triple glazing and varied pane thicknesses. Crucially, it must be tightly sealed.
It’s a lifeline if you have had enough of external noise keeping you up at night or disturbing family mealtimes.
How Do They Work?
Their chief function is to disturb and soak up sound waves whenever they attempt to penetrate the window. They include the following components:
- Assorted glass layers
In between each pane of a double glazed window is an air gap for the purpose of offering a sound barrier. Sound reduction increases the wider the gaps are. - Laminated glass
Laminated glass contains a plastic layer (normally PVB or resin) sandwiched between the panes to lessen vibrations and repel noise. - Varied thicknesses
It’s vital that the glass panes aren’t uniformly sized and have differing thicknesses in order to deal with varied sound frequencies and enhance noise reduction. - Special frames and seals
Sound is less able to leak around glass edges when there’s airtight frames made from a quality material and acoustic seals. - Gas-filled gaps
Sound insulation can be boosted with the implementation of an inert gas e.g. argon.
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Can They Make A Difference?
While total sound elimination is out of reach with any window, it is conceivable to attain noise reduction of up to 95% depending on the kind of noise and its source, as well as the window’s construction. Sound Transmission Class (STC) and Outdoor/Indoor Transmission Class (OITC) ratings tell you how effective a window is at restricting sound – the higher the number, the greater the extent of sound reduction.
Definition and Purpose
How to soundproof windows isn’t as simple as solely adding double glazing to a window unit.
For sound vibrations to be halted or softened, a soundproof window needs a mix of ingredients, including special glass, appropriate air gaps, panes with contrasting depths and well-executed sealing.
Armed as such, it can then minimise the volume of external noise that creeps into your house, creating a more peaceful space that leaves you feeling happier and more relaxed.
How Are They Different From Standard Windows?
Us knowing what is a good u value only touches on TWC’s unmatched window expertise. We can also give you an informed explanation of how soundproof windows are set apart from conventional windows.
Windows with soundproofing qualities are designed to limit sound transmission, as opposed to standard windows which are primarily geared to improve thermal insulation in homes.
Laminated glass is a staple of a soundproof window, instead of normal glazing, and the two layers of it are bonded together using a special PVB or EVA interlayer.
There’s varied spacing between the two solutions too – all the panes in a double glazed window have identical spacing, but a soundproofed equivalent contains varied air gaps and is much more airtight.
It is fundamental that soundproofed windows are accurately fitted to have the desired impact.
How Soundproofing Works
Window soundproofing relies on the physical principles of mass, damping and decoupling to disturb, reduce and block sound wave transmission.
Let’s go into these principles so that you can get a handle of how they disrupt the path of sound energy, which is useful to know when looking into dual coloured UPVC windows.
Principles Of Ample Soundproofing
Mass alludes to blockading sound waves with the use of heavy, dense materials. To increase mass in a standard size of window in cm, employ thicker layered glass, which also improves its soundproofing ability.
Damping is a word referring to the reduction of the amplitude of vibrations resulting from sound waves. Any material that is damped can convert vibrational energy into small volumes of heat to stop it travelling through.
Decoupling marks the separation of building elements to disturb direct sound transmission, such as with air gaps and structural breaks.
Forms Of Noise Pollution
With a growing population comes an increase in noise, presenting a challenge for some homeowners.
There are countless sources of noise and if you’re currently being troubled by any of them, the best soundproof windows are worth looking into.
- Traffic and road noise
The number of cars on the road jumps year-by-year and they generate low-to mid-frequency noise in urban and suburban districts. - Neighbours
Some neighbours drive you mad with their constant loud music and inconsiderate booming conversations driving through walls, ceilings and open windows. - Industrial & construction noise
Industrial estates are popping up everywhere and machinery and tools are capable of creating high decibel disturbance. - Leisure noise
Living close to a large football ground might not be much fun if the cheers of fans can be easily heard while you’re trying to watch TV or do some work. - Aviation noise
Aircraft spawns low-frequency vibrations that can realistically penetrate buildings when taking off or landing.
How Different Noise Types Can Affect Your Health
Being exposed to recurring noise, no matter where it originates, can severely impact your health in a series of ways.
It’s known to increase stress and anxiety, interfere with sleeping, damage hearing, cause mental fatigue, and in the severest cases, may induce cardiovascular issues e.g. high blood pressure or heart attack.
Don’t let it come to that! Your health is too precious and the problem must be dealt with somehow.
Are Budget Soundproofing Solutions Available?
If you’re not quite financially set to buy new types of window frames at the moment, mild noise issues can often be managed by other means, especially handy if you only rent your home.
We can suggest a series of low-cost soundproofing options to tackle noise in the home.
Weatherstripping, Curtains, Rugs, and Panels
- Weatherstripping
Cracks or gaps in any windows and doors can be sealed with the application of weatherstripping (resilient strips of material) to stop noise sneaking through them. - Curtains
Dampen sound by switching to a heavier set of curtains. Blackout curtains will help with this and also block a good amount of light or you could put up some layered drapes. - Rugs
Thick rugs and mats placed on flooring will restrict impact noise. Employ puzzle foam mats for any playroom or home office that you have in the house or dense area rugs with pads. - Panels
Installation of DIY acoustic panels will prevent sound waves striking hard surfaces. They absorb sound and consist of fabric-wrapped boards that you can fit to walls and ceilings.
Why Complete Noise Blocking Is A Challenge
We wish that you could totally eliminate noise, but that would be incredibly difficult to achieve. You need to set realistic expectations.
Even a thoroughly sealed room will almost certainly attract some external sound as sound is capable of moving through air and solid surfaces and bending.
Unfortunately, acoustic isolation is minimal in many properties, largely due to things like thin walls and hollow doors.
That’s why it’s more realistic to target noise reduction rather than noise cancellation in pursuit of quieter home living.
What Do Soundproof Windows Cost?
Single or double glazed replacement windows come in cheaper than soundproof windows because of the latter being specifically made to tackle noise control.
In a soundproof window you get a specialist glass, larger than standard air gaps and more customisation. It’s trickier to install too.
For that reason, they are more expensive to buy than alternate window offerings.
Read our FAQs
Is it possible to soundproof existing windows?
You can take measures if you’re anxious to know how to make windows soundproof.
Attend to any gaps and cracks in windows with acoustic sealant or weatherstripping tape or exchange your current curtains for thicker or layered curtains fitted tight to the wall or frame.
If your windows are only single glazed, we strongly advocate getting double or triple glazed windows fitted.
Can you prevent noise coming through windows?
Noise can creep through the smallest gaps and cracks that have emerged in windows and give you a headache. If you have spotted some in yours, turn to acoustic sealant, weatherstripping tape and draught excluders as a solution.
Change your curtains, as already mentioned, and if you can afford to, get TWC to come round and fit some double or triple glazed windows.
Can You Make Windows 100% Soundproof?
That would be the ideal scenario, but you unfortunately cannot make windows 100% soundproof.
The same applies even if you were to have the best insulated windows installed, as sound can still leak in via walls, frames and building materials.
Don’t let that get you down though, as combining laminated glass, wide air gaps and sealed frames can slash noise decibels by an average of 40–50 dB.
Not Just Quieter, But A Happier Home Too
Soundproof windows can make your house a more peaceful place to live in, which is bound to make you a happier person and see your overall wellbeing get a welcome lift.
People next door are unlikely to hear any private conversations going on and you can always stress the windows as soundproofing if looking to sell and the property is located in a busy area.
Raise a discussion about window soundproofing with TWC and we’ll advise on the potential difference our UPVC windows could make, amongst other measures.
Looking for new replacement windows?
Old favourites such as the Sash Window and Casement Window, sit alongside contemporary innovations including our latest flush range available in double glazing or triple glazing options.
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