Plastic windows with increased sound insulation - a guarantee of peace and tranquility in the house

The window soundproofing service is in high demand among our clients. Many residents of the metropolis suffer from increased noise from the street, especially if their windows overlook a busy highway. However, traffic is not the only source of noise that interferes with a quiet life; the screams of children playing in the yard, a tipsy group under the windows, and barking dogs cause disturbance.

Standard double-glazed windows with the formula 4-10-4-10-4, installed everywhere, are not able to provide sufficient noise reduction adequate to today's realities of life in a big city and therefore require replacement. The best way to eliminate noise from the street is to install “quiet” windows with a multi-chamber class “A” profile and acoustic triplexes in a double-glazed unit!

Sound insulation and noise protection of double-glazed windows

33.1 - two 3 mm glasses with one layer of PVB film 0.33 microns 44.2 - two 4 mm glasses with a two-layer PVB film between the glasses. Stratophone is a soundproofing film produced by AGC consisting of two or more layers of PVB film.

How does the quality of installation affect sound insulation?

Proper installation is also important. It means that:

• The structure must not be skewed, as a result of which the sash will not fit tightly and there will be no sound absorption effect;
• sealing of the seam and window opening must be done efficiently using special polyurethane foam with a sound insulation value of 60 dB;
• The gap should not exceed 30 mm.

Therefore, it is very important to contact exclusively specialists. When ordering installation of a structure from, you can be sure that all necessary rules will be followed. Our company's installers are qualified professionals who have been trained at the Rehau Academy.

Which windows to choose

Choosing the best double-glazed window for sound insulation is not enough. It needs to be framed - that is, select a window frame. Not every glass unit is suitable for the best glass unit. The main reason is the thickness of the glass unit. A good noise-proof double-glazed window requires a thick frame.

How thick is the glass unit in which windows is it installed?

Design of noise-proof windows

These window products are manufactured using frames made of plastic (Rehau, KBE, Novotex) or wooden (pine, oak, larch) profiles, the width of which is sufficient for installing sound-insulating double-glazed windows. The components of the design are a double-glazed window with noise-insulating properties and German ROTO fittings, which ensure reliable operation and tightness of the product's opening sashes when closed.

Plastic profile

Wood profile

Aluminum profile

Cost of soundproof double glazed windows

You can achieve the same level of sound insulation by using different double-glazed windows. The level of sound insulation is selected, most often, in combination with the thermal insulation parameter of the double-glazed window, as well as cost. The degree of noise protection can be improved both by increasing the thickness of the glass and the width of the internal chamber. In the second case, this improvement will have virtually no effect on the cost of the double-glazed window. Adding thicker glass 6 mm or laminated triplex glass to a double-glazed window will significantly increase its cost. Read more about laminated glass and their protective properties in the material: Safety glasses and double-glazed windows.

A company specialist will help you select a double-glazed window according to the parameters.

Myths about soundproofing windows:

There are thin transparent films that increase sound insulation

This is definitely a myth. No thin films on glass can increase sound insulation. Don't waste your money.

A double-chamber double-glazed window has greater sound insulation than a single-chamber one.

This is a very common misconception! Double-chamber double-glazed windows always have weaker sound insulation compared to single-chamber ones.

People usually get confused, so let's get this straight:

Single chamber

A double-glazed window is
two
glasses with air between them.

Double chamber

A double-glazed window consists of
three
glasses and two air cavities.

Probably, this myth arose in the era of mass replacement of old wooden windows (single-chamber) with standard plastic ones (double-chamber). In the first case, the wind blew from all the cracks, in the second there was a modern hermetic porch. It is clear that two-chamber plastic windows seemed to people the height of perfection. But if you compare the sound insulation of two identical windows, then, other things being equal (the total thickness of the glass and the same total thickness of the window), a single-chamber double-glazed window will show higher sound insulation rates.

The frame material (wood or PVC) affects the sound insulation of the window

This is another myth related to the previous one. From the point of view of sound insulation, there is no difference whether the window is made of solid wood or plastic. The sound insulation of a window is determined mainly by the glass unit formula and the tightness of the sashes seal.

Filling the glass unit with inert gas increases sound insulation

Not really. Injecting argon or krypton practically does not increase sound insulation. The situation is similar with rarefied air between the glasses. Filling the glass unit with sulfur hexafluoride (sulfur fluoride VI SF6) will provide a slight increase in sound insulation. However, this gas is flammable, which precludes its widespread use, and the increase in sound insulation will be only 3–4 dB.

Sound and soundproofing

Sound insulation of glass (and double-glazed windows) shows the ability of a structure to reduce airborne noise (sound vibrations).

The loudness of a sound depends on the effective sound pressure, frequency and vibration of the sound wave. For low-frequency noise (30 Hz), the permissible sound pressure is considered acceptable at a level of no more than 70 dBA. For high-frequency (4,000 Hz) sound pressure should not exceed 20 dBA. In addition, the human ear is unable to perceive some types of noise (up to 20 Hz and above 20,000 Hz), but their presence or absence affects our well-being.

Where should soundproof windows be installed?

The main task that the quietest double-glazed windows are designed to solve is to reduce the level of penetration of external noise into the room. First of all, they are installed in the windows of apartments and houses located in cities, since here the level of street noise remains high, both day and night. The quietest plastic windows are also used for glazing houses, which, although not located within the city, are located in close proximity to sources of constant noise - suburban highways, railways.

Soundproof plastic windows

A double-glazed window is the main part of the window (occupies up to 90% of the area), which is responsible for noise reduction. A double-glazed window hermetically installed in a plastic window frame, depending on the type of construction, can reduce sound pressure by 40-50 dB.

An opening window is less reliable than one without shutters in terms of sound insulation, since due to the loose fit of the shutter to the frame, noise reduction is reduced. To achieve the best soundproofing characteristics of windows, we recommend installing blind (non-opening) window structures with double-glazed windows.

In an effort to achieve effective noise protection, also take care of appropriate wall insulation and the method of installing the window in the opening.

Glass insulation: soundproofing bags

Windows with increased sound insulation are a good option for residents who have already completed renovations and do not want to completely change their profiles. It will be simpler, more convenient and cheaper to install a new double-glazed window without affecting the profile. The weak area in terms of noise transmission is the glazing, and not the sashes or frames. This modification has a number of limitations in terms of the depth of the landing site in the profile, but the noise level noticeably reduces.

It will not be possible to install a multi-chamber element in a frame in place of a single-chamber one.

Manufacturers

I produce double-glazed windows for industrial enterprises and small private organizations. Some window manufacturers also assemble double-glazed windows, but some work only with large organizations.

The main ones:

• Oknasalut;
• ISOLUX;
• Alutop.

Their products are the best choice in terms of cost and quality. Advanced technologies are used in production to increase the energy efficiency of solutions.

Soundproofing of an apartment depends on the soundproofing of the window

The human ear hears sounds in the range from 0 to 130 dB

In the daytime, a person hears noise with a volume of 10 dB, and at night, when the ears remain the main channel for receiving information, this threshold decreases by 10 - 14 dB. Even minor noise of 25dB, especially with variable volume, can easily disturb sleep. 10% of sleeping people will wake up at a noise level of 40 dBA, and a noise level of 70 dBA will wake everyone up.

Photo: noise levelsAccording to SP 51.13330.2011 “Noise protection. Updated edition of SNiP 23-03-2003” the maximum noise level penetrating into the room during the daytime should be no more than 55 dBA, and at night a maximum of 45 dBA.

Accordingly, if there is a busy highway or railway under the windows with a noise level of 80 dBA, then the window noise insulation level should be at least 40 - 45 dBA. An ordinary window with a standard double-glazed window has a sound insulation level of only 30 dBA, which is completely insufficient to ensure comfortable night silence.

Ventilation valve

All of the above methods help protect windows from outside noise penetration only if the sash is closed. But the room needs to be ventilated, and to do this we often open the windows, letting in the whole cacophony of sounds from the street. To avoid this, you can install a ventilation valve with an acoustic visor on the window. The valve will let in fresh air from the street, and the visor will block the penetration of noise. For example, the EMM supply valve, complete with an ASAM visor from the French brand Aereco, with an air throughput of up to 35 cubic meters per hour, in the maximum open position provides noise insulation of 33 dB.

So, if you do not have the financial ability to replace your old windows, which have poor sound insulation, with new ones, we offer you the material in this article to help you, which offers several options that solve this problem.

Additional sound insulation of plastic windows

The sound insulation of plastic windows directly depends on their type and quality of installation. Thicker glass can provide additional sound insulation.

You can use a wider frame to install the window; this will increase the layer of air or gas that absorbs sounds. Glass of different thicknesses also contributes to higher sound insulation.

Very often they use triplex - this is a combination of several glasses that are glued together using resin. This design is more resistant to damage.

With triplex, the sound insulation of windows increases significantly - from 28 (for a regular plastic window) to 33 (for triplex) decibels, and all because the presence of such glass allows you to delay sound waves of high and medium frequencies.

Thanks to it, even low-frequency vibrations will not penetrate into the apartment, and they are the most difficult to get rid of. In addition, triplex is considered the safest type of glass; if the sheet breaks, the fragments will remain on the film.

As additional measures to absorb noise from the street, you can use filling the chambers of a plastic window with gases. These include xenon, argon and krypton. The different distances between the glasses help to increase the air space, which means sound is absorbed more efficiently.

Prices of work, rub

Replacement of double-glazed windows

Repair and installation work

Call a technician To call a technician, fill out the application form or call +7 (495) 201-50-00

In Moscow, as in any large metropolis, residents suffer from increased street noise from busy highways, train stations, and factories. And even if the windows face the courtyard: the screams of children playing in the yard or a drunken group under the windows also cause inconvenience.

Let's consider the most common options for achieving acoustic comfort.

Recommended background noise levels

According to current sanitary standards, the maximum permissible level of noise exposure, which does not pose a danger even with prolonged exposure, is 40 dB at night and 55 during the day. Such indicators do not harm the body, but in urban conditions they are often exceeded.

With constant exposure to 70 - 90 dB, which corresponds to street traffic, the operation of a motorcycle engine, a negative effect on the nervous system is possible. And exposure to 100 decibels can cause significant hearing loss.

How to make soundproofing of double-glazed windows with your own hands - step-by-step diagram

Step 1: Surface Cleaning

Dust and dirt have never been beneficial, and metal-plastic windows are no exception. If various debris accumulates under the seal strip, the seal does not fit tightly enough, which contributes to the appearance of drafts and, of course, deterioration of sound insulation. So take a clean, damp cloth in your hands and thoroughly clean the surface.

Step 2: Adjustment

If you open a window sash, there is an adjusting bolt head on its pediment. We find this head and begin to turn it little by little, so we displace the bolt, which is responsible for the clamping level. In general, as you can see, the procedure is quite simple. The main thing is not to rush, but to carry out the displacement as slowly as the human eye can notice.

To ensure the best possible sound insulation of double-glazed windows, check how the window closes every time. As soon as barely noticeable resistance appears and the structure needs to be slightly pressed to close, the work is considered complete.

Acoustic laminated glass Stratophone

Maximum noise insulation performance is demonstrated by acoustic laminated glass Stratophone* with a special PVB film. An innovative highly elastic film, developed specifically for sound insulation purposes, attenuates sound waves, allowing for sound insulation levels of over 40 dB. The Stratophone works especially well with low-frequency sounds (traffic noise), making it a favorite for windows facing noisy highways.

Photo: ESPACE VASARELY concert hall, Anthony (France), architect: Nicolas C. Guillot, double-glazed windows include Stratophone*Stratophone can include transparent and colored glass, with energy-saving and multifunctional coating. Acoustic laminated glass can be used in all facilities where increased requirements are placed on sound insulation - apartments, dachas, country houses. It is used not only in windows, but also in the glazing of facades, shop windows, internal partitions, and winter gardens. If a Stratophone is installed on the roof of the winter garden, then the sound of raindrops or even hail will not irritate the owners - it simply will not be heard.

Stratophone has all the qualities of a regular triplex. It is safe to break and can be used to provide break-resistant function.

What to do if the windows themselves are noisy

Windows located on the upper floors of high-rise buildings and experiencing increased wind loads may produce a hum. The exact reasons can only be determined on site, when the structure is inspected by specialists. Most likely, the appearance of an unpleasant sound is associated with the wrong choice of double-glazed windows. The outer glass in window units exposed to increased wind loads must be tempered and have a thickness of at least 6 mm.

The whistling sound of plastic windows can be associated with the difference in pressure indoors and outdoors and the presence of microscopic holes in the window structure through which air passes. These could be holes for fastening fittings, glazing beads, places where handles are fixed, or uneven pressure on seals. To get rid of intrusive sounds, it is enough to seal these holes.

Noise may be associated with installation errors, namely the presence of gaps in the seal contours or installation seam. To get rid of whistling and ringing, it is necessary to reseal the structure.

It is best to entrust the work of finding the source of noise and eliminating the causes of whistling, howling, humming, crackling and other sounds to professionals.

Window soundproofing - expectations and reality

Caring for silence in one's home has accompanied people for centuries. In Ancient Rome, riding carriages at night was prohibited, and in England in the 16th century, taking care of the silence of the night, loud quarrels were prohibited after 10 p.m. In Russia, protection from noise exposure consists of a ban on noisy work after 19-00 and the installation of noise barriers along busy highways.

Photo: a busy highway under the windows is a source of constant noise. Millions of modern citizens feel the negative impact of noise 24 hours a day. Long-term noise exposure leads to disruption of sleep, the functioning of the cardiovascular system, metabolic processes, depression of the central nervous system, hypertension and neurosis.

Owners of new windows place high hopes on them to ensure silence in the house. But often, contrary to expectations, street noise is clearly audible. Moreover, sometimes the sound insulation of an apartment becomes even worse than with old windows. Not all modern windows cope with noise problems as well as people think.

In order for a new window to bring the desired silence into the house, it must be designed taking into account increased noise insulation requirements. What should you pay attention to when choosing a window to increase the sound insulation of your apartment?

Multi-chamber profiles

The translucent surface of window structures occupies more than seventy percent of the block, therefore it is the main one in terms of sound insulation. The remaining 30% is neutralized by the profile, which must also be taken into account if maximum absorption of external noise is required.

A high-quality profile is divided by internal partitions into isolated sections (some modifications include up to seven such sections).

In addition, some of the profile chambers may contain a special filler, which also has a positive effect on the soundproofing qualities of the structure.

Double-glazed windows with the highest level of noise absorption

A double-glazed window, the sound insulation of which is guaranteed to provide comfortable conditions for work or living, must be combined. This means that in one model it is recommended to use an additional glass partition, triplex and inert gas. Thanks to this design, the window receives multi-level protection:

• first, the waves are reflected by the polymer film and partially absorbed by the triplex double glass;
• then they are extinguished by a central partition dividing the glass unit into chambers;
• in the last chamber, the noise that has overcome the obstacles is absorbed by an inert gas.

If such a design is not able to ensure silence in the interior, then it is recommended to strengthen the sound-absorbing system with another element. We are talking about a special film based on A-resins, which is used to cover the outside of the window. It is also capable of effectively absorbing sounds and is guaranteed to increase the level of sound insulation of a double-glazed window.