Listed Heritage Jan/Feb 2017

Noise Reduction Glass in Listed Buildings Feature

IQ recently had a feature in the Listed Heritage Jan/Feb 2017 issue titled ‘Noise Reduction Glass in Listed Buildings’ where acoustic glass was explained and shown in some of IQ’s projects.

The majority of unwanted sounds come from outdoors as windows and glazing are the weakest point in external walls for sound resistance especially in listed properties.

This is because the original single glazing are even less efficient for cutting out noise.

You are only able to install replacement windows onto your listed building if there is proof that they need replacing by being completely unrepairable.

Due to advances in window and glazing design, matching designs to already existing windows on listed buildings can be engineered with high levels of thermal performance and acoustic reduction.

The easiest way to improve sound reduction through windows on a listed building is secondary glazing. However, this secondary glazing doesn’t provide huge improvements on sound reduction unless specific acoustic insulating glass is used.

Using an acoustic dampening interlayer laminated between two pieces of glazing can create a layer of glass that has a much more effective level of sound insulation across all levels of noise.

If you are considering installing new windows onto your listed property then you will also need to consider the framing used as this will have its own noise reduction properties as well. A full calculation should be done for a true reflection of the insulation you will receive.