Acoustic Windows — Glasgow

Acoustic glass windows are typically made using a combination of glass, laminates and special acoustic seals. The glass used in acoustic glazed units is often thicker and heavier than standard normal glass and may be laminated or tempered.

The key difference between standard single-pane windows and acoustic windows is their ability to reduce noise. While standard windows are typically designed for visual clarity and energy-saving, they offer minimal sound reduction. Acoustic glass windows, on the other hand, are specifically designed to reduce the amount of noise entering a building. When properly installed, acoustic glass can reduce the level of noise by as much as 50–60 decibels.

Yes, acoustic windows can be used in both residential and commercial buildings. These soundproof windows are often used in areas that experience a lot of noise disturbances, such as near airports, highways and busy streets.

Laminated and acoustic glass differ mainly in their use, as well as their composition. In short, all acoustic glass is laminated, but not all laminated glass is acoustic.

• Laminated glass: Reinforced with a resin or plastic layer to enhance its strength and prevent shattering upon impact. This makes it a security feature rather than a soundproofing one.
• Acoustic glass: Specifically designed to reduce noise levels. While this glass is also laminated, it uses a special interlayer of polyvinyl butyral (PVB) that not only binds the glass layers together but also absorbs sound vibrations. This makes it perfect for soundproofing windows.

Triple-glazed acoustic units offer superior noise reduction compared to double-glazed windows. While standard double glazing uses two panes for effective noise reduction, triple glazing significantly improves upon this by incorporating three panes of glass. The additional layer of glazing in triple glazing enhances sound insulation by further reducing sound leakage.