Soundproof glass, also known as acoustic or noise-reducing glass, is an innovative solution designed to minimize the transmission of sound waves. It offers an effective way to create a peaceful and quiet environment, free from external disturbances.
What makes soundproof glass effective is the fact that it features a near impenetrable barrier between the noise source and ears. It capture mechanical energy of the soundwaves and studies have shown that it can block 90-95% of most sound frequencies.
What is Soundproof Glass?
Soundproof glass, commonly known as acoustic glass, is simply a type of laminated glass created by laminating layers of glass with a PVB or polyvinyl butyral interlayer in between. This interlayer connects the glass layers, giving the glass the appearance of a single pane. In addition, the PVB interlayer serves as an acoustic layer with excellent sound-absorbing capabilities.
The special PVB membrane, located at the center of the glass, may stop sound frequencies from vibrating through the glass. Additionally, you may add thick soundproof glass based on the level of soundproofing your home requires.
Soundproof glass windows will help in noise reduction and provide additional sound control. Windows made with soundproof glass eliminate up to 90% of all the external noise that comes through your windows and doors. They are acoustically engineered and are most cost-effective compared to new replacement windows.
There is specialized acoustic glass for outside windows, even though acoustic glass may also be used for internal glass partition walls to provide excellent soundproofing. This ensures seclusion in individual offices, boardrooms, and conference rooms and reduces noise in hallways and open floor plans.
Understanding Soundproof Glass Basics
Soundproofing doesn’t mean that you will eliminate noise to 100%. This is a challenging goal to achieve unless you use commercial grade soundproof materials in all parts of the house.
Soundproofing means reducing noise to about 90-95%. Some sound may manage to pass through the materials you use, but your space will be much quieter and peaceful. Most soundproofing solutions take care of mid to high-frequency sounds.
You can successfully muffle human voices, car hooting, and other high frequency sounds with most soundproofing materials. Low-frequency sounds are harder to deal with. To successfully tackle these frequencies, here are the five soundproofing principles that you must fulfill.
Mass & Absorption
Mass makes it harder for sound to penetrate through any material. This means that the thicker your material, the better it is at soundproofing. Some surfaces are good at soaking up the energy in the sound wave. The sound will have significantly reduced by the time it goes through such a material.
Mechanical isolation & Conduction
Mechanical isolation creates a space between materials. Thanks to this space, sound waves are forced to travel through the air and lose some energy. In the case of conduction, soundproofing helps reduce the transfer of sound from one material to the other. A dampening material is placed between these materials to reduce the sound waves that pass through them.
Resonance Dampening
Resonance Dampening reduces the sound’s magnitude. Such materials convert sound energy into other energy forms.
Types of Soundproof Glass
There are two types of soundproof glass available on the market today. We have the double-glazing soundproof glass that combines insulation and soundproofing properties and the laminated glass type that combines security performance and soundproofing.
Laminated Glass:
Laminated glass is a type of safety glass that is made by sandwiching a layer of polyvinyl butyral (PVB) or ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA) between two or more layers of glass. The layers of glass and the interlayer are bonded together under heat and pressure to create a strong and durable composite material.
Even though the main purpose of laminated glass is to enhance the safety and security of a structure or vehicle, it also helps in soundproofing. When broken, the glass remains adhered to the interlayer, preventing it from shattering into sharp pieces that could cause injury. This property is particularly important in applications where human safety is a concern, such as in car windshields, building windows, and glass doors.
Insulated Glass Units (IGUs)
IGUs, also known as double or triple glazing, are made by combining multiple glass panes separated by a layer of air or gas. The space between the glass layers acts as an additional barrier to sound transmission. The thickness of the glass and the size of the air or gas gap can be customized to provide enhanced soundproofing.
Pairlex Soness Neo
Pairlex Soness Neo is an innovative double-paned window that prioritizes soundproofing qualities. The glass is comprised of panes of varying thicknesses, which may provide a greater level of soundproofing by infusing the inside area with a specialized gas.
In addition, this product has the same superior heat-insulating properties as standard double glazing.
Lamilex Soness
This is a type of tempered glass where a distinctive resin interlayer is inserted between two pieces of glass, which are pressed and heated together.
Vacuum Insulated Glass (VIG):
Vacuum insulated glass consists of two glass panes sealed together at the edges with a vacuum between them. The vacuum layer acts as an excellent sound insulator due to the absence of air. VIG units provide high levels of soundproofing while also offering excellent thermal insulation properties.
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How Does Soundproof Glass Work?
Most soundproofing solutions reflect sound to the outside, so not much of it gets to the house. Things are a bit different where soundproof glass is concerned.
On its own, glass is a poor soundproofing solution since it vibrates when it comes into contact with sound waves. Most of these waves reverberate while others pass through the glass. To soundproof glass, manufacturers employ a variety of tactics. These include:
- Multiple Layers: Soundproof glass typically consists of multiple layers of glass with an interlayer of special acoustic material sandwiched between them. The glass layers are often different thicknesses to reduce resonance and further dampen sound transmission.
- Laminated Glass: The glass used in soundproof applications is usually laminated glass, which is made by bonding multiple layers of glass together with a layer of polyvinyl butyral (PVB) or ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA) interlayer. This interlayer acts as a sound absorber, damping vibrations and reducing the transmission of sound waves.
- Mass and Density: Soundproof glass is manufactured to have increased mass and density compared to regular glass. The additional mass helps to block and absorb sound waves, preventing them from passing through the glass. The density of the glass also plays a role in dissipating sound energy.
- Acoustic PVB Interlayer: The PVB or EVA interlayer used in laminated glass has excellent sound-dampening properties. It absorbs and dissipates sound energy, reducing the transfer of vibrations between the glass layers. The interlayer also provides structural integrity, holding the glass together even if it breaks, which further enhances its soundproofing capabilities.
- Air Gaps: Some soundproof glass designs incorporate air gaps or insulating layers between the glass panels. These gaps act as additional barriers to sound transmission by disrupting the sound waves and reducing resonance.
- Sealing: Proper sealing of the glass unit within the window frame is essential to maintain its soundproofing effectiveness. Any gaps or air leaks around the glass can undermine its performance by allowing sound to bypass the glass panels.
Benefits of Installing Soundproof Glass in Your Home
Noise Reduction
It seems logical that noise reduction is the most crucial advantage of acoustic glass. Soundproof glass for windshields helps prevent exterior noise from entering a vehicle or machine.
Two panes of glass are laminated with a noise-blocking PVB (Polyvinyl Butyral) membrane to create acoustic glass. The membrane absorbs high-frequency sound waves, preventing them from entering the car cabin via the glass. Those who like a calmer trip will benefit from acoustic glass.
Additionally, using soundproof glass for your windows can reduce noise levels by up to 95%, eliminating your noise problem to manageable levels.
Improved Safety and Security
Compared to annealed glass, laminated acoustic glass is sturdier and more durable. As soundproof glass contains an inner PVB interlayer which is not readily broken. In the unlikely event that this type of glass does break, the glass shards remain adhered to the PVB layer and do not shatter, providing the glass with a web-like look. As this glass doesn’t quite shatter and fall apart, you are less likely to get injuries from the sharp glass fragments.
Since laminate soundproof glass is tougher than standard glass, it makes it impossible for burglars or thieves to gain access to your house. Hence you rest assured that your house is safe from burglary or them.
More Comfort
Choosing soundproof glass with a Low-E coating will allow you to maintain a perfect temperature in your home. By opting for a Low-E coating, the soundproof glass may perfectly insulate the inside of your home.
Your windows’ low-E coated-acoustic glass keeps the interior cool throughout the summer by reflecting the sun’s heat. These window panes keep heat from escaping during the winter, maintaining a warm atmosphere. Consequently, your demand for artificial cooling and heating systems will decrease, resulting in lower energy costs.
UV Protection
Soundproof glass can enhance your health by reducing nerve-jarring decibel levels and shielding you and your family and loved ones from damaging ultraviolet (UV). Installing multilayer soundproof glass in your windows and doors protects you from damaging UV rays and solar glare. In addition, installing laminated soundproof glass helps shield your home’s upholstery, rugs, carpets, and other furniture from UV and IR radiation’s destructive effects.
Installation and Costs
Soundproof glass is inserted behind existing windows. However, if it’s new construction, the glass can be installed on its own, just like regular panels.
It is important to note soundproof glass doesn’t come cheap.However, they are a worthy investment for residential and commercial buildings located in noisy areas.
Installation costs differ depending on the location, among other factors.Most wound proof glass manufacturers can make recommendations on professional installers within your area. Most construction workers will have dealt with this type of glass, so you may not need specialized personnel to do the installation.
Just ensure that installation is done right, and no gaps are left in the windows, doors, and other areas that may let noise in.
When to Use Soundproof Glass?
Generally, soundproof windows and doors are used when the most effective noise-reduction option is required.
Incredibly thick acoustical glass windows and doors are perfect for situations requiring a very quiet atmosphere. They are commonly employed in recording studios that require an exceptional level of noise suppression.
Comparatively thinner acoustic glass windows and doors are suitable for residential and commercial structures. Here is a brief rundown of applications that can optimize the usage of soundproof glass:
- Classrooms
- Music Rooms
- Recording studios
- Commercial Structures
- Residential Apartments
- Hospitals
Conclusion
Soundproof glass is a remarkable technological advancement that revolutionizes the way we experience sound in various environments. By understanding its composition, functionality, and the underlying science, we can appreciate its effectiveness in reducing noise transmission.
Whether in architectural applications, transportation, or other sectors, soundproof glass offers a peaceful respite from the clamor of the outside world. As technology continues to evolve, we can expect further advancements in soundproofing solutions, enhancing our quality of life and overall well-being.
References:
- https://www.aiswindows.com/top-5-benefits-of-installing-soundproof-glass-in-your-home/
- https://www.cgcjp.com/products/search_category/architecturalglass/bouon.html
- https://www.acousticalsurfaces.com/acoustic_windows/acoustical_windows.htm
- https://www.aiswindows.com/acoustic-glass-what-why-and-when/
- https://www.houzz.com/discussions/5396565/replacing-sliding-glass-doors-with-soundproof-glass-doors
Meet Mike O’Connor, (a DIY enthusiast), living in Cincinnati, a city ranked as the noisiest in the USA.
As a work from home dad, I have a first hand experience of how noise can truly affect your well being.
Soundproofing isn’t something that should be taken as a hobby, it should be a skill that every homeowner should be equipped with.
Most of the work documented on this blog comes from purely first hand experience, and the products recommended work as indicated.