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Just wanted to let you know how very, very pleased I am with the work you did on my existing sash windows. Just as the renovation was completed (by two very lovely people who worked so efficiently) the weather turned noticeably colder...
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It is with much pleasure that I write to thank you for the remarkable improvement that the installation of the sash windows you fitted have made to our home. Any initial fears we had of going for timber replacements have been banished...
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My wife and I recently bought a raised ground floor converted flat in Hove with the main bedroom at the front. The first night we were horrified at how loud the traffic and pedestrians seemed to be through our original sash windows...
Press release 25th November 2010
Don’t let noise ruin your life!
Noise can make modern life unbearable, especially if you live in a house or flat with period windows that can be ineffectual at blocking out persistent and annoying sources of noise. However, according to Paul Burnett from The Sash Window Man, it is possible to reduce or even remove the intrusion of noise into your property without replacing your existing wooden windows.
Persistent noise can be detrimental to your state of mind and well-being. If you live near a railway line, under a flight path or near nesting birds such as seagulls, you will know what I mean. Whatever your noise problem, you will probably be unsure of the best way to go about sound proofing your sash windows, in order to regain the peace and quiet you deserve.
To understand how best to reduce noise, we need to first understand how noise works. Sound is carried through vibrations in the air. When the glass in your windows vibrates, it allows sound waves from outside to travel through the glass and enter the room.
Will thicker glass work?
In short, no. Many people believe simply increasing the thickness of the glass will significantly improve the noise insulation. Although this can help to reduce some low frequency noises such as truck engine noise and trains, the most common and invasive noises in the environment tend to be high frequency sounds such as road traffic, seagulls and people. These are not reduced by thicker glass.
In fact, because of a phenomenon known as the Coincidence Dip, increasing the thickness of the glass can even amplify high frequency sounds. The Coincidence Dip occurs when a sound wave travels through glass during a wave bend. During this bend, if the frequency of the sound wave hitting the glass matches the critical frequency at which the glass vibrates, the sound becomes easier to detect, almost as if there were a hole in the glass.
What’s the answer?
Depending on the level and type of noise intrusion, you have a number of options which can make a real difference to the sound protection which your sash windows offer. These solutions cater for personal tastes and your budget. All of the following solutions are designed to preserve the period charm of your sash windows:
- Use acoustic glass – this special glass can be fitted either as single or double glazing and usually fits into your existing sash window boxes quite easily. Acoustic glass consists of 2 sheets of glass laminated together using a special PVB interlayer. This type of glass is perfect for reducing high frequency sounds such as seagulls and people. Find out more about acoustic glass.
- Secondary glazing – this is a great option for listed buildings and properties in conservation areas. SoundBlocker secondary glazing is specifically designed for use with sash windows. It is effective at reducing both high and low frequency noise and has been proved in tests to reduce noise by up to 75%.
- Draft Proofing - this seals any gaps around and between your sash windows to prevent unnecessary noise from entering your property. Draft proofing will also stop noise caused by rattling windows and reduces heat loss too.
For further information about noise insulation for sash windows visit The Sash Window Man. Find out more about noise from this fact sheet.
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