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Noise reduction refers to the amount of sound which is removed as it passes through a closed window or a wall.
All air gaps must be sealed off to ensure that a window will achieve the best noise reduction it can. Therefore it is not only the glazing options which must be considered but also the type of window.
Awning windows with a seal around the total perimeter of the sash are ideal, while a sliding window would be the worst option.
When considering glazing options for noise reduction, several basic principles apply:
Single Glaze
The thicker the glass, the better the reduction in low frequency noise such as traffic noise.
Laminated
Laminated glass will perform slightly better than a similar thickness single glass, due to the dampening effect of the PVB interlayer.
Insulating Glass Units
Insulating glass units do have some effect on noise reduction. While variations in air gap widths of 6mm to 16mm effect negligible change, a variation in the thickness of the two glasses used (at least 50% i.e. 4mm and 6mm) will have a marked effect.
Double Window Units
To achieve significant change, an air gap of at least 100mm is required and this is achieved by the installation of a secondary window. Again the use of dissimilar glass is recommended with one of the windows glazed with 10mm glass ideal.
Glass
Product |
Nominal Thickness
mm |
Construction Detail
mm |
STC Ratings
dB |
| Clear Float | 3 | | 24 |
| 4 | | 29 |
| 5 | | 29 |
| 6 | | 30 |
| 8 | | 30 |
| 10 | | 31 |
| 12 | | 32 |
| Laminated | 6.38 | 3-0.38-3 | 33 |
| 8.38 | 4-0.38-4 | 35 |
| 10.38 | 5-0.38-5 | 36 |
| IGUs | 13 | 3-6-4 | 27 |
| 15 | 3-8-4 | 28 |
| Double Windows | 110 | 6-100-4 | 46 |
| 160 | 6-150-4 | 47 |
| 214 | 10-200-4 | 49 |
| Glass Blocks | 80 | 190x190x80 | 40 |
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