Does secondary glazing make much difference to noise?

[lemonpi]

I have double glazing, but am woken at night by aeroplanes. I’m wondering whether to get secondary glazing, but don’t know how much difference it would make. Would be great to hear anyone’s experiences of it!

Have you looked at replacing the window with triple glazing instead? Friends have this who live on the seafront in a busy, seaside resort. Its brilliant and you can't hear anything, even at the peak of summer when its packed outside and noisy.

Thank you for your posts!

@Hairyfriend That’s good to know! I asked a windows company about triple glazing and they said that with the situation I’ve got - sash windows in an old house, where the window surround is old - it would not be possible as the gap for the windows to fit into is not wide enough. Might be worth getting another opinion on, though, just to be sure!

@Incognito22333 That sounds brilliant! Can I ask how wide the gap is between the secondary glazing and double glazing, please?!

I’m very heartened to read that secondary glazing makes a big difference. I’m at my wit’s end with sleep deprivation, and have been wondering whether I’ll need to move. Getting secondary glazing would be a lot easier!!

10-20cm is optimum gap. My largest window to street is 20cm and is brilliant.

I have hard wood frames with aluminium secondary glazing and acoustic laminated glass.

Get original windows decorated and overhauled where necessary before you put secondary glazing in. Much easier that way/ check old putty etc, seal properly where appropriate.
I have a handheld hoover to clean the gap in the sliding secondary glazing.
The only downside to secondary glazing I think is the look - but it doesn’t bother me. I actually have inside shutters after that and it looks fine.

The white aluminium on the secondary glazing never discolours but some people have upvc frames/trims and they yellow over time. I can repaint my hardwood frames. My secondary glazing is indestructible - will outlive any UPV double glazed window.

I have checked for you and have used Granada Secondary Glazing, Sheffield windows in my house and a grade 2 listed rental flat. Very happy with them.
However, obviously you need to find a really good fitter who measures correctly and puts in the right designs - slides left/up down etc.

@Incognito22333 Thank you so much for this info. I also have hardwood frames and am thinking if aluminium secondary glazing with acoustic laminated glass, so it’s really useful to know that this has worked for you!! Thank you for the tip about getting the existing windows overhauled first - that sounds a very good idea.

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I just checked and with my windows the maximum gap I could get is about 12cm for the lower sash. (More for the upper sash, obviously.) I hope that would make enough difference!