Acoustic Glass

[Calculator]

I am looking to upgrade the windows in my Victorian home. I live on a main road and was wondering about the merits of acoustic glass? Will I notice a significant difference and what is the cost differential vs 'regular' double glazing?

[Pheo]

I spotted this the other day and was wondering the same...

[guindilias]

Very little TBH. We have had buildings built next to a main road, one end acoustic glass, one end normal (client ran out of money!) and I notice very little difference.
Triple glazed sealed units would probably be your best bet.

[Mr GrimNasty]

Triple or double (don't make a difference TBH), rather than bespoke acoustic glass, spec the outer pane as laminated, makes a massive very noticeable difference to road noise.

[roofer]

We're doing a school under the flight path in Hounslow at the moment, don't know what glazing the BAA paid for, but it's amazingly silent in there .

[j80jpw]

Sorry if this seems like a Shameless Plug but I can help! My company Holloseal Glass manufacture sealed units, we started a company a couple of years ago specialising in Glazing for Historic properties, The Original Glass Company. We do a specific unit that is slim in profile and can have an acoustic outer pane, click on online ordering on our website and you will be able to select 6.8mm as the outer pane.

Regarding noise reduction, the serious spec acoustic units we supply for properties around airports will be going in to higher spec thicker frames with uprated hinges etc. Very heavy 10mm and 12mm thick acoustic laminates are typically specified, these wouldn't be suitable for older properties and it is likely there are other elements that would perform far worse than the glazing so almost a pointless exercise to this degree.

If you have Victorian wooden Sashes spending some time making sure they fit with good seals etc would be the highest priority, that in combination with a unit with a 6.8mm acoustic lami outer pane would help a fair bit but only to a degree!

[Calculator]

Thanks all - i currently have 'sash look' timber windows (i.e. they open out rather than sliding up and down). They are double glazed but old and the seals are not good.

It sounds like what I need is decent double glazing with laminate on the outside? What thickness should I be going for? Is there merit in different thicknesses for the two panes? Will timber be as acoustically effective as uPVC?

I don't like the look of uPVC and want to retain an authentic look but I am also mindful of the cost.

Edited by Calculator on Wednesday 2nd September 21:44