Double glazing is a popular technique for keeping cold or hot air from getting inside your home. Many people use this technique to save on their energy bills every month. If you need to reduce outside noises that are coming into your home, many wonder if double glazing can help.
Double glazing can help reduce noise coming from outside. Because the sound has to travel through two layers instead of one, double glazing can greatly reduce outside noise and make your home quieter.
Let’s talk more about double glazing and reducing the noise making its way into your home.
Also read: Which are the Best Soundproof Windows for Home?
How Does Double Glazing Reduce Noise?
Double glazing helps reduce noise by providing two obstacles for sound to travel through instead of one.
Double glazing may sound complicated, but it’s not as difficult to understand as it may sound. Double glazing involves two glass window panes used to create a single window. There is air space between the two panes as well.
Not only do the two glass panes help keep noise at bay, but the air in between the two panes adds some insulation as well. So, you want the most possible distance between the panes to allow the most air to provide insulation. This will help keep the air and loud noises out of your home.
The insulation air between the panes will help minimize higher-frequency noises like voices and other similar noises. Meanwhile, the panes can help also.
If you want the most possible sound reduction from double glazing, consider using two window panes of different thicknesses. This will help reduce outside sounds even more.
The change in thickness is common for people who want to help reduce outside noises. If you want to install double-glazed windows in your home, then make sure you let the company know to use two different thicknesses when choosing the panes.
Also read: Do Triple Glazed Windows Reduce Noise? Let’s Find Out
What Factors Can Affect How Well Double Glazing Keeps Out Noise?
A few factors can determine how well your double-glazed windows work to reduce noise. Make sure you cover each of these factors before deciding on installation because most companies may assume you are only using them to keep air out.
What Fills the Gap
The air between the two window panes is very important when it comes to sound reduction. But there is more to it than just ordinary air.
You can use gas like argon to fill the space in your double-glazed windows to help make them even more effective. These gasses can help reduce the chance of sound and air reaching the other pane.
While you can talk to manufacturers about which type of gas may be best for you, let’s discuss the two most popular options, argon, and krypton.
Both options are clear but act as a great barrier to sound and air. Argon is easier to produce. So, it will be cheaper than krypton. However, krypton is more effective. So, choose carefully based on what you need.
It is important to remember that the gas between the panes is only useful for as long as the window remains tightly sealed.
So, over time, these gasses will begin to leak out. If a significant amount of gas comes out, then you will need to seal the window again and replace the gas. So, this may take some maintenance to keep it up over time.
Type of Glass
The type of glass you choose for double glazing is very important. Double glazing itself can help you keep noises out, but not all glass is equal. Let’s talk about some different options you have.
Float Glass
Float glass is the most common glass you can find for double glazing. While it is easier to break and not as thick as some other types, it is still a valid choice. This is best for those on a budget who want double-glazed glass without paying too much for it.
While this glass is the most breakable option, it is still durable enough to get you through the cold and hot months without allowing too much air inside. It can help keep most noises at bay but doesn’t guarantee as much quiet as other glass options do.
Tempered Glass
The next step up from float glass is tempered glass. This is more expensive, but it can withstand more damage. Overall, tempered glass is stronger than float glass, meaning it will allow less sound to travel through it. This is by no means “soundproof” glass, but combined with double glazing, it can be quite strong and effective.
While tempered glass is stronger and more durable, many people would not recommend it solely for noise control. If you are considering tempered glass as an option for your home, check out our article about it. In “Is Tempered Glass More Soundproof?” for a more detailed explanation.
Laminated Glass
When you think of laminated glass, you probably think of toughness. While it’s true that laminated glass is quite durable, it is also much better for soundproofing than float and tempered glass. In fact, Edouard Benedictus invented laminated glass for the purpose of keeping outside sounds at bay.
Laminated glass has a complex design that helps prevent sound from traveling through it as easily as other glass types. Not only can it reduce sound coming from outside your home, but it also reduces vibrations that you get when loud noises occur. With this in mind, laminated glass is an expensive choice. So, prepare to spend some extra money on it.
However, considering the fact that it is so effective at blocking out sounds, the price may be worth it for what you need. If noisy neighbors or nearby construction tend to echo through your home, double-glazed laminated glass will help control the noise and make your home more peaceful.
Final Thoughts
Double glazing is a popular window technique used to keep out unwanted air and unwanted noise. Consider this for your home if the noise outside tends to easily make its way into your house and cause a headache or sleepless nights.
While any double-glazed glass type can be effective, consider laminated glass for the most possible soundproofing. While it is expensive, it will help keep those noises outside where they belong.