Noise Reduction Window Systems
January 3, 2020 by
fotex
Noise Reduction Window Systems
We often hear our clients complain that they’re tired of hearing the next-door neighbor mowing his lawn at 7 a.m. on Saturday or are sick of his barking dog. United Builders offers a great solution to the annoying noise pollution. If you are experiencing a lot of noise in your home, take advantage of acoustic control benefits of new window designs and window-installation techniques.
Key Factors
Two key factors affect a window’s sound transmission coefficient (STC): the window’s design and its installation. Windows, as with other materials, are rated with an STC, which indicates how well the window blocks sound waves. A typical double-pane window with 2 1/2-mil, single-strength glass provides an STC rating of about 28 to 32. The higher the STC number, the better the sound control. Airport locations often require windows with a 35 to 40 STC rating.
The good news is that excellent acoustic control works hand in hand with high energy efficiency. The same air that brings in noise also brings in air that must be cooled or heated, reducing energy efficiency. When you select high performance windows that lower energy costs, you gain the added benefit of less noise intrusion.
Sealing during installation
Proper sealing during installation is also vital. The best way to reduce noise infiltration is through a high-quality weatherstripping system, since the weather stripping is usually the weak link in the system. “It’s easier to penetrate than wood or glazing. Weatherstripping both the frame and the sash creates additional points of contact to reduce infiltration of anything — dust, water, air, sound.”
The key to stopping noise infiltration is to disrupt the sound waves as they pass through the window. This can be done by using different thicknesses of glass and creating different vibrations that deflect the waves. Additional layers, such as with a tri-pane system, also can be beneficial. Vinyl-window makers achieve this acoustic disruption by creating baffles and catacomb like systems in their hollow extrusions; that also creates thermal breaks that aid energy efficiency.
Laminated glass may aid noise reduction because it is a thicker product. The additional cost for laminated glass is significant, but the product also provides enhanced safety levels.
With higher density in home construction noise problem is becoming more and more common. That creates more need for us to block out neighbors and traffic. Selecting windows with higher STC ratings and insisting on tighter seals during installation can go a long way toward keeping out this noise pollution.
Anlin Sound Package
Anlin Sound Package with sound suppression technology greatly reduces the transmission of noise from the outside of your home to the inside, making your home even quieter. You may choose to add the Anlin Sound Package to windows throughout your home, or to windows facing a street or other source of noise. This optional upgrade (standard in Anlin Del Mar Collection) can be combined with any of Anlin’s High-Performance Glass Packages, including Anlin QuadraThermTM.
If you have any more questions about sound reduction windows, or you would like to learn more about vinyl replacement windows in Southern California, United Builders can help. We have years of industry experience we are ready to put at your disposal to make sure your new windows function at their best for your home and your loved ones. Give us a call at (909) 969-8976 for more information on our products and services. We professionally install replacement windows throughout Rancho Cucamonga, Chino Hills, Fontana and more.