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Noise Reduction
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Acoustic Ratings (Rw Values)

Understanding Rw sound reduction ratings helps you choose the right glazing specification for noise-sensitive locations.
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Up to Rw 45dB
BS EN ISO 717
Acoustic Options

What different Rw ratings mean in practice.

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Rw 29-32dB (Standard)

Typical performance for standard 4/16/4 double glazing. Adequate for quiet suburban locations with minimal external noise.

Rw 33-36dB (Enhanced)

Achieved with asymmetric glass thicknesses (e.g. 6/16/4). Suitable for moderate road noise or urban residential areas.

Rw 37-40dB (Acoustic)

Requires laminated glass and/or wider cavities. Effective for busy roads, near railways, or commercial district noise.

Rw 41-45dB (High Performance)

Triple glazing with laminated panes and acoustic interlayers. For flight paths, motorways, or industrial noise sources.

Expert Knowledge

How Glazing Reduces Noise

Sound reduction through glazing depends on three main factors: glass mass, cavity width, and glass asymmetry. Understanding these helps you specify the right sealed unit for your noise environment.

Glass mass: Heavier glass blocks more sound. A 6mm pane reduces more noise than a 4mm pane simply because it's heavier. This is why acoustic glazing often uses thicker glass.

Cavity width: Wider cavities improve sound reduction, but the relationship isn't linear. The optimum is typically 16-20mm for acoustic performance. Very narrow cavities (6-8mm) can actually create resonance that worsens certain frequencies.

Asymmetry: Using different glass thicknesses on each side of the unit breaks the resonance that occurs when both panes vibrate at the same frequency. A 6/16/4 unit performs better acoustically than a 4/16/4 unit, even though the average glass thickness is similar.

Laminated glass: The PVB interlayer in laminated glass absorbs sound vibrations, making it the most effective single upgrade for noise reduction. Specialist acoustic PVB interlayers achieve even better results than standard laminated glass.

Every 10dB reduction is perceived as halving the noise level. Going from Rw 29 (standard) to Rw 39 (acoustic) sounds like reducing the noise to one quarter. This difference is transformative for sleep quality and concentration.

Common Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

Everything you need to know about our double glazing repair and replacement services across the South West.

  • For a quiet residential road: Rw 29-32 (standard glazing). For a busy urban road: Rw 33-36 (asymmetric glass). For an A-road or dual carriageway: Rw 37-40 (laminated). For a motorway: Rw 41+ (triple with acoustic laminated).

  • Argon gas provides marginal acoustic improvement (approximately 1-2dB) compared to air. Its primary benefit is thermal, not acoustic. For significant noise reduction, invest in glass specification (thickness, asymmetry, lamination) rather than gas fill.

  • Yes. Acoustic specifications are fully compatible with Low-E coatings and gas fills. A unit with 6.4mm laminated Low-E outer / 16mm argon cavity / 4mm inner achieves excellent acoustic AND thermal performance simultaneously.

  • Not necessarily. A well-specified double glazed unit with laminated glass can outperform standard triple glazing acoustically. The key factors are glass mass and asymmetry, not simply the number of panes. We can advise on the optimal specification for your specific noise source.

Acoustic Glazing Solutions

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