If you live beside a busy road, near a railway or under a flight path, such as the homes around Leeds Bradford Airport, noise can be a constant part of life indoors. Windows are often the weak point, and the right glass can help.

How noise gets in

Sound reaches you through the glass itself and through any gaps around it. Both matter. The best glass in the world will not help much if air, and sound with it, can get past a worn seal or an open vent.

Standard double glazing

Ordinary double glazing does reduce noise compared with single glazing, but it is designed mainly to keep heat in. Two panes of the same thickness tend to let similar frequencies of sound through, so some noise still carries.

What makes glass quieter

  • Acoustic laminated glass. This has a special interlayer between two layers of glass that absorbs sound vibrations. It is the most effective upgrade for most homes.
  • Panes of different thicknesses. When the two panes in a unit are different thicknesses, they do not vibrate at the same frequencies, so less sound gets through.
  • A wider gap. A larger space between the panes helps, though how wide it can be depends on your frames.

These can be combined in a single unit made to fit your existing frame.

The rest of the window matters too

  • Check that the seals around the opening parts close firmly and are not perished.
  • Trickle vents let sound in when open. Acoustic versions are available if noise is a problem.
  • Gaps between the frame and the wall should be properly sealed.

What to expect

New glass can make a noticeable difference, particularly to the steady drone of traffic. It is unlikely to block out every sound, and low-pitched noise such as heavy lorries is the hardest to reduce. We will be honest with you about what is realistic for your windows.

Laminated glass also holds together if it breaks, so an acoustic upgrade brings added safety and security too. See toughened or laminated glass for more.

We cover homes across the area, including Yeadon. Get in touch and we will talk through what would work for you.