Can double glazing be 'tightened up?'

[Dinoboy]

Hi there, apologies if this is a daft question.
Visiting a pal who lives in a first floor flat the other day I couldn't believe how little sound was coming into the flat from outside. When I got home and compared my own house (windows closed obviously) the amount of noise coming in was unbelievable.
He's in an 8 year old block built by I don't know who, we're in a 10 year old George Wimpey detached house in a fairly quiet cul de sac.
Is my double glazing just rubbish or is there some way of tightening up the seals etc?

[jonamv8]

Yeah you can by installing the security locks top and bottom corners that effectively pull the opening into the frame thus reducing outside noise. We got burgled so installed them and outside noise is less noticeable

[Dinoboy]

That's great, thanks very much for your reply. I'll look into those.

[PRTVR]

Depending on the type of double glazing you can adjust them, my daughter's were not tightening up against the seal's ,when it was windy the curtains would move, it made a big difference adjusting the pivot and the locking plate, it also could be coming round the windows if they have been badly fitted, on my son's when he removed the wallpaper around the windows there were places were you could see outside, new windows correctly installed made a big difference to the noise, although I think we could have fixed it with expanding foam but he was changing the old windows anyway.

[S6PNJ]

Some of it depends on how well fitted they were at installation. Along the sides/top/bottom, they are probably filled with expanding foam - if this wasn't done very well, then you could have sound (and cold/warmth) leaking at these points.

An easy thing to try is to trap a piece of paper (thinnest you can lay your hands on - newspaper perhaps? - in-between the window and seal when you close the window, then see if you can slide the piece of paper along the seal. If you can, it is loose and needs to be tightened, either via the hinges or via the pull in catches. If you can't - for as many parts of the window as you can, then try to prise off the internal surrounds/plastic seals against t=your widow frame sides and see what the gaps are like.

These are the sort of gaps I mean:


Get a can of squirty foam from Screwfix and 'fill 'em up'

[227bhp]

Dinoboy said:

Hi there, apologies if this is a daft question.

Yes it is as 'double glazing' refers to the actual glass unit and is nothing to do with what you are asking. 'Can I adjust a hinged PVC sash window' is probably what you mean.
Open it wide and undo the screws on the locking or striker plates a little, it's probable they can be slid around and locked back in a different position so the sash pushes against the seals more - if that is the problem.

[Jonesy23]

S6PNJ said:

Get a can of squirty foam from Screwfix and 'fill 'em up'

Ideally low expansion rate flexible foam for filling around frames. Even better done with a foam gun not just a basic all in one can.

The Soudal flexible foam is nice, shop around for the best prices.

[Simpo Two]

I think the rubber seals deform and harden with age. Maybe just replace those?

[Dinoboy]

Really apreciate all the replies, lots to look into. There definitely isn't any gaps between frame and wall, if sound is getting in it must be a gap between closed window and frame. I'll try the paper test tommorow.
Thanks again for all the help.

[Geffg]

Could it be something as simple as he had the trickle vents closed and yours are open?i notice a big difference in noise when I open mine.

[Dinoboy]

Geffg said:

Could it be something as simple as he had the trickle vents closed and yours are open?i notice a big difference in noise when I open mine.

I was disappointed to find they were closed as I thought that's why it was so noisy initially.

[CubanPete]

The bushes in the hinges wear with time.

Replacement hinges can be bought for a few pounds off ebay. Replacement is quick and easy, but a two man job. Need a drill and a rivet gun. Makes a huge difference.

[V8RX7]

Dinoboy said:

I was disappointed to find they were closed as I thought that's why it was so noisy initially.

I fill them with expanding foam / silicone

[Chrisgr31]

There are some people who specialise in fixing double glazing, usually called double glazing doctors. Need to ensure they are independent of double glazing fitters though as some are effectively just double glazing salesmen!

[Welshbeef]

With double glazing doors and windows you should squirt a shot of WD40 into the locks and all mechanisms ideally twice a year.

Always clean the runners.

The rubber seals can and do shrink - it’s really easy to get them all replaced (they are a ball ache to fit- so on a buy to let I had I tagged in changing all the handles to New plus New seals all round and let the double glazing company do it + change one blown pane. Made them “as New”).