Noise Reduction Windows Buying Guide
We live in a busy world today. It has become difficult to find a peaceful environment. Noises from traffic, industrial units, loudspeakers and railway lines disturb our lives and hamper the calmness we desire.
Windows and doors are the key areas that let these noises enter our homes. They are the weakest point for sound insulation for homes. This problem exacerbates traditional windows and doors having gaps even when they are closed.
Most commercial properties such as recording studios, classrooms, music rooms, hospitals, clinics, office cabins and conference rooms install sound-reducing windows for purposes of cancelling out unwanted noise.
What is a Noise Reduction Window?
A Noise Reduction Window is placed behind your existing window thus creating a large air gap between panes to help deaden sound. These windows are made up of either thick laminated glass or acrylic.
Why are Noise Reduction Windows Required?
The gaps in windows allow easy passage for noise to enter in and affect the tranquillity of a home. Noise reduction windows are a perfect choice to solve this problem. Though these windows won’t block all the noises, they will minimize the loud, infuriating, and unfavourable sounds that occur outside your home.
As cities become more populated and busier, noise pollution increases. More homeowners are looking for ways to create a peaceful and serene environment in their homes. Noise reduction windows or noise-cancelling windows work by slowing the transfer of sound waves by reducing the intensity of the sound transmission.
Things to Look for When Buying a Noise Reduction Window
While no windows are fully soundproof, there are several steps one can take to reduce the noise transmission in their home. Noise travels in two different ways: One is through the air and the other is the material your dwelling is composed of. There are two ways to measure noise; they are Sound Transmission Class (STC) and Outdoor/Indoor Transmission Class (OITC).
Most standard windows have STC ratings of around 26. The dual-pane windows feature two panes of 3mm glass. By having more panes (layers) of glass your window increases the insulation aspect, which helps thermally but only slightly diminishes outside noises. The sound waves will continue to pass through the layers as a result of conduction.
Window selection is based on different features related to the sound reduction. Adding additional panes of laminated glass or acrylic improves the effectiveness for slowing sound transmission. While choosing a noise-resistant window, one must correlate the features of a window to their performance.
Noise-cancelling windows must have a lab-tested weather-stripping coating that substantiates their performance. While shopping for sound-reducing windows, you must consider for what frequency one wants to sound-proof against.”
According to the Acoustics Industry, the sound-stopping quality of windows is measured on the STC scale. It means the higher the number of STC, the more a window inhibits sound. With your basic single-pane window you have an STC rating of around 26 . A dual-pane window has an average STC rating of 28. However, windows having an STC rating of 45-50 are good sound-proofed windows that can block as much as 95% of noise.
Noise-resistant windows are crafted and designed to ensure best-in-class sound insulation. When installed with noise-cancelling laminated glass, the door & window solution will help to reduce sound intrusion by up to 42decibels.
While buying a noise-cancelling window, you must do your research. You can choose the best windows for noise reduction based on the following factors:
Thickness
Generally, the thicker the laminated glass or acrylic, the less noise one will hear.
Laminated layers
A layer of, for example, PVB (polyvinyl butyral) between the sheets of glass can reduce noise pollution without affecting the clarity of the glass.
Space between the panes
The greater the gap between sheets of glasses, the better is the protection. Adding heavy gases like argon in the gaps will reduce noise even further.
It is crucial to check for sealed cracks around windows. Windows having sealed cracks are filled with a sealant, and this is one of the most effective ways to reduce outdoor noise. Secondly, the windows must have a second or even third pane of glass to make it double or triple glazing, which is an affective option.
Other features you can look at while choosing the best windows for noise reduction are:
- It must be easy to clean and maintain.
- It must be airtight as it helps to keep pollutants at bay and enhances air quality.
- It must increase the home’s real-estate value.
- It should have a double-sealed mechanism.
- It must filter out external noise by up to 42 decibels.
- It should be customized according to residential or commercial properties.
Purchasing Noise Reduction Window
Choosing the right window with proper installation ensures that the seals are airtight keeping the noise out. So how would you know which noise reduction windows are best for you? For instance, you may need to replace your existing windows with higher quality single or double panel laminated glass to reduce noise transmission.
You can trust Magnetite Canada in helping you choose the best solution. Magnetite Group will make the process simpler by providing the right quality noise reduction windows for your residential properties, recording studios, classrooms, music room, hospitals and clinics, office cabins and conference rooms. Visit Magnetite Canada’s website for your sound dampening needs.
The costs for new custom-built sound-proofing windows can be up to C$10,000 per window plus installation charges on average. However, with Magnetite Canada’s sound reduction inserts, you can create a relaxing environment for your home at a fraction of the cost.
