Britain’s cities are continually expanding, and the infrastructure must follow, with roads and rail links connecting the network of urban communities nationwide. While this might be a good thing in some ways, if you happen to live near a busy road or railway, you can be subjected to very high levels of noise pollution. How do we protect ourselves against the roar of a 747 taking off, or a thundering express train that you can set your clock by? The simple answer is secondary glazing.
Secondary Windows
The principle is a simple one, by fixing a separate frame with glass inserts, you are creating a sound barrier that is very effective. The slim aluminium frames can be fixed to either the existing window frame, or the reveal, and with a choice of opening styles, the secondary units will blend in perfectly with the existing windows. If you happen to live in the UK, and are thinking about how to eliminate the constant noise, check out www.gsecg.com/, a market leader in the supply and installation of quality secondary glazing.
Critical Air Gap
Regarding sound insulation, the gap between the existing windows and the new secondary units has a direct effect on the level of sound insulation. The optimum gap is 100mm, which means the secondary units need to be fixed to the window reveal by way of a small timber support. Local Authorities will use this method when providing sound insulation for homes that lie on the flight path at major airports, as it eliminates a majority of the noise.
Customised Solutions
Every home is different and for this reason, secondary glazing must be made to measure to fit the existing windows. The units are manufactured in the factory, and a qualified surveyor would visit your home to measure up, then after a few weeks, the units are ready to be installed. The installation team would be able to complete the work in a single day, and with the latest technology, your home will be so quiet, you might not be able to sleep for a few nights, until you get used to the silence.
Range of Opening Styles
One of the great things about secondary glazing is the many different opening types, which allows the system to work with the existing windows, and the new units will blend in perfectly. Vertical sliding units are a common choice, while horizontal sliding works with sash windows, and you can even have the units hinged on either side, for optimum convenience.
Easy to Remove and Clean
The glazed units can easily be lifted out, and some people like to store them for the summer, although you would lose your sound insulation by doing so. Special toughened glass ensures safety, and with patterned glass for bathrooms, your privacy is not compromised.
Many people are very happy with their location, if it wasn’t for the constant noise, and secondary glazing is the ideal solution. The cost is a fraction of replacement windows, and to be honest, secondary glazing gives a higher level of sound insulation that regular double glazing.
Tags: sound insulation
