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:
- 19%: 4mm/12mm gap/4mm (voice noise reduction)
- 34%: 10mm/12mm gap/6mm (voice noise reduction)
- 46%: 10mm/12mm gap/6.38mm laminated glass (traffic noise reduction)
- 57%: 6mm/100mm gap/4mm (traffic noise reduction)
There are other alternatives if double glazing is to expensive to find out more click here
