Living in a bustling city like London comes with many benefits, but constant noise pollution isn't one of them. Whether it's traffic, construction, or late-night revellers, unwanted sound can significantly impact your quality of life. Secondary glazing offers a proven solution that can reduce noise by up to 80%.
Understanding Sound Transmission
Sound travels through air as pressure waves, and when these waves hit a window, they cause the glass to vibrate. These vibrations transfer through to the air on the other side, allowing sound to enter your home. The key to reducing noise lies in interrupting this transmission path.
The Science Behind Secondary Glazing
Secondary glazing works by creating an additional barrier with a crucial air gap between your existing window and the new panel. This air gap acts as an acoustic buffer, absorbing and dissipating sound energy before it can enter your living space.
The effectiveness depends on several factors:
- Air gap size: Larger gaps (100mm-200mm) provide better acoustic insulation
- Glass thickness: Thicker glass (6mm-10mm) offers superior sound reduction
- Glass type: Laminated acoustic glass with PVB interlayers performs best
- Seal quality: Proper sealing prevents sound flanking around edges
Real-World Performance
In our experience installing secondary glazing across London properties, we consistently achieve noise reductions of 45-50 decibels when using acoustic-grade solutions. To put this in perspective:
"A busy London street typically registers around 75-80 decibels. With properly installed secondary glazing, this can be reduced to a comfortable 25-30 decibels indoors – quieter than a whispered conversation."
Case Study: Marylebone Townhouse
One of our recent projects involved a Grade II listed Georgian townhouse on a busy Marylebone road. The homeowners were experiencing significant sleep disruption from traffic noise.
We installed slim-profile secondary glazing with 12mm laminated acoustic glass and 150mm air gaps. The results were remarkable:
- External noise level: 78 dB
- Internal noise level (before): 62 dB
- Internal noise level (after): 28 dB
- Total reduction: 50 dB (over 80% perceived noise reduction)
Beyond Noise Reduction
While acoustic performance is often the primary driver, secondary glazing offers additional benefits:
- Improved thermal insulation (up to 60% heat loss reduction)
- Enhanced security with toughened glass options
- Reduced condensation on original windows
- Preservation of heritage window features
Is Secondary Glazing Right for You?
If you're affected by traffic noise, aircraft noise, or any persistent external sound, secondary glazing is likely to make a significant difference to your comfort and wellbeing. It's particularly valuable for:
- Properties on busy roads or near transport hubs
- Listed buildings where window replacement isn't permitted
- Period properties where maintaining character is important
- Home offices requiring a quiet working environment
Next Steps
Ready to enjoy a quieter home? Our acoustic specialists can assess your property and recommend the optimal secondary glazing solution for your specific noise challenges. Contact us for a free consultation and noise assessment.
Written by
David Thompson
Technical Director
With over 20 years of experience in the secondary glazing industry,David is a leading expert in acoustic and thermal window solutions.