January 2004 1002
TECH/97
INTRODUCTION TO THE
ACOUSTIC INSULATION
PROPERTIES OF GLAZING
INTRODUCTION
The acoustic insulating performance of a building
element is directly related to its mass. For a
typical masonry wall, the sound insulation of the
wall is substantially greater than that of the glass
and for, all practical purposes, sound transmission
through the wall can be ignored.
In most cases, the acoustic performance of a
building facade is determined by the glazing.
SOUND
Sound is transmitted from its source as a series of
pressure changes (waves). A sound is
characterised by the magnitude of the pressure
and the rate of change of the pressure. Sound
level is expressed on the decibel (dB) scale, with
O dB being the threshold of hearing and 120 dB
being the level at which pain is felt. The rate of
change of pressure determines the frequency or
pitch of the sound. Frequency is expressed in
Hertz (cycles per second). The human ear is able
to respond to sounds from around 20 Hertz (bass)
to 20,000 Hertz (treble), but the response is not
uniform across the frequency range, the ear being
more responsive to high frequencies.
Loudness is a subjective judgement based on a
combination of the frequency of the sound and the
sound pressure level. Most sound sources
generate sounds across a range of frequencies
(the sound spectrum). In general, a change of
3dB represents the minimum perceptible change
in loudness, with a change of 5dB being clearly
noticeable. However, perception depends on the
time interval between the sound and the intensity
of the sound.
TECHNICAL
BULLETIN
ACOUSTIC INSULATION PROPERTIES OF GLAZING
MEASUREMENT OF ACOUSTIC
INSULATION PERFORMANCE
Because of the dependency of the perception of a
sound on its constituent frequencies, measurement
is made of sound level over a range of frequencies.
Measurements are made at either six or sixteen
frequencies, depending on the degree of detail
required, these being specified in relevant standard
test methods.
In order to define acoustic performance in a more
concise way, a number of different indices derived
from a full frequency range analysis have been
developed.
The index which is currently most favoured in
Europe is Rw (Weighted Reduction). This is
obtained by comparing the graphical plot of
measured sound insulation against frequency with
a set of reference curves. The reference curve
giving the best fit against the measured curve
defines Rw.
An index common in North America is STC
(Sound Transmission Class) which is similar to Rw
but is derived from a slightly different range of
frequencies.
ACOUSTIC INSULATION PROPERTIES OF
GLAZING AND WINDOWS
The factors determining the acoustic performance
of glazing are the glass thickness and for multiple
pane systems, the pane spacing. For sealed
double glazing units, gas filling of the cavity may
influence acoustic performance. The edge seal of
sealed double glazing units does not influence
acoustic performance.
Increasing the mass of the glass, i.e. its thickness,
increases the sound insulation. Toughened,
coated and wired glasses are identical in
performance to standard float glass of the same
 installations are often perceived as resulting in

INTRODUCTION TO THE
significantly improved sound insulation. This is
not usually due to any improved performance of

ACOUSTIC INSULATION
the glazing but is a result of the superior
weatherstripping of opening lights.

PROPERTIES OF GLAZING
The commonly used frame materials are roughly
equivalent in performance and unless highly
insulating glazing is used sound transmission
through the frame is not significant.
thickness. Laminated glass provides increased
insulation compared with monolithic glass of the Ventilation devices in the windows can adversely
same thickness. Laminated glass with a affect acoustic insulation. This effect is mostly at
polyvinylbutyral (pvb) interlayer, which is medium and high frequencies.
commonly specified for impact resistance, gives a For secondary sash glazing or double windows,
very small improvement but special acoustic the use of an absorbent material to line the reveals
laminates which give greater benefits are will improve the sound insulation.
available.
For multiple pane systems, the acoustic insulation TYPICAL ACOUSTIC INSULATION VALUES
is not affected by the pane spacing over the range Single Glass Rw (dB)
normally found for hermetically sealed units, i.e. 4mm 29
6mm to 20mm. It should be noted that a sealed 6mm 31
double glazing unit constructed of two panes of 10mm 33
4mm glass with airspace in the range 6mm to 6.4mm pvb laminate 32
20mm gives no better sound insulation than a
Double Glazing
single pane of 4mm glass. Significant
4mm/4mm 29
improvement is achieved with pane spacing of
4mm/6mm 32
100mm or above. These pane spacings are
6mm/6mm 31
normally achieved by the use of secondary sash
4mm/8mm 33
double glazing or double windows. The use of
4mm/10mm 35
thick glass or laminated glass in sealed units or
wide airspace multiple glazing improves acoustic Secondary Glazing
insulation. Further improvement is obtained by 4mm/100mm/6mm 46
using glasses of different thickness. The use of 4mm/150mm/6mm 47
triple glazing units can give additional 6mm/200mm/10mm 49
improvement if the glasses are of different
thicknesses and the airspaces of different widths. FURTHER INFORMATION
BS 5821: Part 3: 1984 (1993). Method for rating
The gas most commonly used to improve the
the airborne sound insulation of facade elements
thermal performance of sealed double glazing
and facades.
units, argon, does not provide any improvement in
acoustic performance. Use of sulfur hexafluoride BS 8223: 1987. Code of practice for sound
(SF6) improves the acoustic performance at insulation and noise reduction for buildings.
certain frequencies but adversely affects it at low
BRE Information Paper IP6/94. The sound
frequencies (typical of road traffic noise).
insulation provided by windows.
Additionally, SF6 degrades thermal performance.
Glass and Noise Control. Pilkington Glass.
The main factor in window design and
construction affecting acoustic performance is the
DISCLAIMER
airtightness of the frame. Very small gaps (e.g.
No liability can be accepted for the information
around opening lights) can have a substantial
provided in this leaflet although it is published in
adverse effect on the sound insulation. For this
good faith and believed to be correct.
reason, modern replacement windows

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