Sound Proof Glass
Sound reduction glass is a great investment for anyone who wants to reduce noise pollution in their home or office. This type of glass can significantly reduce the amount of noise that enters a room, creating a more peaceful and comfortable environment. Whether you live in a busy city, near a noisy highway, airport or train tracks, sound reduction glass can help you enjoy a quieter and more relaxing space.
What Is Sound Proof 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 as well 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
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.
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.
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, 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 Commercial building windows, and glass doors or wherever safety code follows.
Insulated Glass Units (IGUs)
Insulated Glass Units (IGUs), also known as double pane glass or double 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.
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.
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:
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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. Here is a brief rundown of applications that can optimize the usage of soundproof glass:
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Near busy Streets
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Highways & Freeways
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Inner City
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School Zones
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Near Fire Stations
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Near Hospitals
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Apartments
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Industrial Districts
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Rail Road Train Tracks
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Air Ports
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Easements
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Construction Growing Areas
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Office Spaces
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Commercial Properties
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Recording Studios
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Classrooms
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Music Rooms
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Boardrooms
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.
If you have any questions and want to explore all the options to sound proofing your window and door glass, the professionals at Beacon Hill Glass can help assist you. Please feel free to contact us anytime!