Noise Reduction Help - Triple or Secondary Glazing?

[poonum]

Hiya, we really want to reduce the noise we get from the main road that our 2 bedrooms overlook, we were thinking about getting secondary glazing, but my husband saw an ad in the paper the other day for triple glazing with Britelite, with 40% off (they probably always say that though!)

I got the quote for the 2 windows today & it would be £1330 - does anyone have any opinions / advice on whether it would be worth it? Or if secondary glazing which is cheaper would be as good? Thanks : )

 

[kbdiy]

I seem to recall that for noise reduction to be really effective the gap needs to be in excess of 400mm, which is clearly unachievable in most homes ( I think my information came in relation to commercial premises).

In essence I would say the larger the gap the better but standard d/g units will only give minimal sound reduction. It is as much about the quality and accuracy of the fitting as it is about the units themselves. Some cheaper companies/fitters are less worried about gaps around the frames and unless these are properly filled and fitted then they can make matters worse.

 

[God]

Secondary would probaly be halls the price, if you already have double glazing and you put secondary in I don't think you will notice much difference, we fitted triple glazing for a customer a few weeks ago and she seems to think its brilliant

 

[chippie244]

Have you thought of using Magneglaze, it's fairly inexpensive and discrete.

 

[dishman]

I have been doing alot of research into double/triple secondary glazing recently.

I will try to find the link, but I read that triple glazing can actually be worse than double glazing for noise reduction. Especially where low level traffic rumble is concerned. Contrary to what one would think.
I did not see any test results to confirm this, but it suprised me when I read it, which is why I remembered it.

From all that I have read it is purely the airgap (larger the better), and quality of fitting/frame that determines noise reduction.

I have read that secondary glazing is best in this regard, however, if you already have double glazing, the gain may not be worth the cost....

 

[dishman]

Hello again, did not find the article I read but did find this better and more scientific explanation....which just complicates everything.

It does suggest/support what I read and seems to confirm, that in certain circumstances, triple glazing may be no better.....and possibly worse.....lots of factors involved though.....

http://wielandacoustics.com/images/stories/single_double_or_triple_glazing.pdf