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Original poster

Secondary glazing or acoustic?

19 replies

Charlottemh · 26/01/2022 16:48

I've just moved into a new property which faces a relatively busy road and am looking into soundproofing my front windows. They already have double glazing which looks in fairly good condition.

I have researched secondary glazing, which I understand would be most helpful in terms of noise reduction, but comes with major cons being that the glazing will protrude from the windows as my reveal is very shallow, and I'll have to get rid of my nice plantation shutters.

So the other option is replacing the windows with acoustic secondary glazing. I've researched this online and am worried that it might not make much difference. Has anyone changed from normal secondary glazing to acoustic, and did it make a difference in terms of noise reduction?

Thanks in advance!

OP posts:
Hebeee · 26/01/2022 17:55

No, but we did fit acoustic glazing at a previous house when we replaced the single glazed timber sashes with double glazed timber sashes....

Our house - a (non-listed) Georgian stone property that had no front garden - had just a deep pavement between it and a rural A road and with the original windows it was very noisy.

The acoustic glass made a little difference, but imho not much. With the benefit of hindsight I'd have just gone for normal DG plus secondary glazing panels...or perhaps triple glazing which I guess isn't an option for you....

In our case, I think the fact that they were sashes didn't help - even with new ones there's lots of potential for sound to get through the gaps.

Sorry it's probably not what you want to hear, but if I were you, I would try secondary glazing first.

Original poster
Charlottemh · 26/01/2022 18:29

Sorry I just realised I got my terminology wrong. The last sentence should read “Has anyone changed from normal double glazing to acoustic double glazing, and did it make a difference in terms of noise reduction?”

Thanks Hebeee, that is what I feared. I don’t want to spend lots of money and it make no difference!

OP posts:
BurgerOnTheOrientExpress · 27/01/2022 09:49

Acoustic reduction is most efficient with a 100mm gap.

BigotSpigot · 27/01/2022 17:59

I would put in secondary (and good curtains with acoustic lining: www.direct-fabrics.co.uk/acoustic-blackout-insulation-curtain-lining.html)

indiesearcher · 27/01/2022 23:10

We did secondary glazing with shallow window recess and then put the plantation shutter back on top (window fitters built a small boxed out frame for the shutters). It's not quite 100mm gap, but it makes a significant difference.

I can't hand on heart say it's the difference I'd hoped for, but it definitely takes the edge off engine and tyre noise. Money well spent for us.

Original poster
Charlottemh · 28/01/2022 08:29

Thank you all! Indiesearcher it sounds like you had the same situation. I’m going to go ahead with the secondary glazing with 100mm gap, they said they’d try to reinstall the shutters so fingers crossed….

OP posts:
indiesearcher · 28/01/2022 08:53

Just be warned that you might not get 100% perfect realignment on the shutters (is it an old house)?

It's not noticeable with ours, just that the shutters don't meet perfectly when closed etc, but it's honestly not noticeable. Let me know if you'd like some pics.

SRJ91 · 19/09/2023 14:12

Hey Charlottemh, just doing my own research on this subject and wondered how you got on?

MadameameBeans · 19/09/2023 22:06

SRJ91 · 19/09/2023 14:12

Hey Charlottemh, just doing my own research on this subject and wondered how you got on?

Same here!

KievLoverTwo · 19/09/2023 22:22

@Charlottemh

Tagging the OP who may not otherwise see this bump.

Original poster
Charlottemh · 19/09/2023 22:30

Hello! Honestly the best decision ever. Got the secondary glazing, 10cm gap and the shutters put back on top. I literally can’t hear a thing from the road, it’s like magic. The shutters do protrude but it sort of looks like they were designed that way so it looks ok (photo attached)

Secondary glazing or acoustic?
OP posts:
KievLoverTwo · 19/09/2023 22:39

@Charlottemh does secondary glazing open like a normal window?

Original poster
Charlottemh · 19/09/2023 22:41

My one slides down like a sash but can maybe get different types of openings?

OP posts:
MadameameBeans · 19/09/2023 22:48

Charlottemh · 19/09/2023 22:30

Hello! Honestly the best decision ever. Got the secondary glazing, 10cm gap and the shutters put back on top. I literally can’t hear a thing from the road, it’s like magic. The shutters do protrude but it sort of looks like they were designed that way so it looks ok (photo attached)

Looks great, and sounds great (well, sounds silent!)
What company did you get to do it or was it a carpenter? and are the secondary panels glass or acrylic?

I'm trying to work out if my budget will stretch to getting them bespoke fitted or if I'll have to try some kind of DIY route, but I'm guessing my DIY efforts won't be nearly as well fitted or effective!

MadameameBeans · 19/09/2023 22:52

Charlottemh · 19/09/2023 22:30

Hello! Honestly the best decision ever. Got the secondary glazing, 10cm gap and the shutters put back on top. I literally can’t hear a thing from the road, it’s like magic. The shutters do protrude but it sort of looks like they were designed that way so it looks ok (photo attached)

So is the secondary glazing within the outer white frames? Looks so neat

SRJ91 · 19/09/2023 23:38

Charlottemh · 19/09/2023 22:30

Hello! Honestly the best decision ever. Got the secondary glazing, 10cm gap and the shutters put back on top. I literally can’t hear a thing from the road, it’s like magic. The shutters do protrude but it sort of looks like they were designed that way so it looks ok (photo attached)

Really appreciate the update and so pleased for you!

Wallywobbles · 20/09/2023 04:57

Im in France so not sure if the company exists in the UK but our double glazing is pretty amazing. When my BIL parks his tractor in front of then house I never hear him I only notice because it goes dark.

Original poster
Charlottemh · 20/09/2023 09:03

Yes it’s sort of level with the wall

OP posts:
Original poster
Charlottemh · 20/09/2023 09:05

Thanks! Annoyingly I’m not 100% sure on the company as I used my work email address and no longer work there or have access to those emails. It might have been Citysound but not 100% sure. I paid cash for a bit of a discount but it was still about £2k for 3 windows. The cost is because it involved 6 big panes of glass

OP posts:
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