Press Release 24th January 2011

Reduce Heat Loss – Reduce Bills With Window Insulation

Traditional sash windows are not only notoriously draughty around the edges, but the single glazing within the frames is often a poor insulator of heat. Around half the heat in a typical British home is lost through the walls, windows and loft – This means we waste millions of pounds a year paying for heating which our homes cannot efficiently retain.

Last month was officially the coldest December since records began in 1910, so we take a look at how to help reduce heat loss through sash windows made in the same era.

Solutions

There are a number of ways in which you can help reduce heat loss through your windows:

• Hanging heavy curtains. This will help to keep the heat in a room but these are only effective at night when the curtains are drawn
• Having your sash windows serviced. The Sash Window Man can give your sash windows a lift by correcting ‘dropped’ sashes to make sure they open and close correctly. This will stop heat from escaping through any gaps which may have appeared at the top and bottom of your windows
• Draft proofing your sash windows. Hidden draft proof brushes can be fitted which help prevent heat loss by sealing any gaps that exist around and between your sash windows. Draft proofing will also give the added benefit of preventing annoying window rattles
• Fitting secondary glazing such as the SoundBlocker window; a discreet, removable secondary glazing panel which helps prevent heat loss from sash windows.In contrast to most secondary glazing systems, SoundBlocker windows are made from timber and designed to perfectly compliment original windows in period homes, listed buildings and conservation areas, retaining the authentic look of your home.

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.