Soundproof Windows: How to Keep Noise Out of Your Home

Squealing brakes at rush hour, trains in the small hours, planes overhead and the neighbours' music through the wall. Noise is a fact of life for many homes, and across Essex and Hertfordshire, with busy roads, railway lines and Stansted's flight paths, it can be hard to escape.

It's more than an annoyance. The World Health Organization links long-term exposure to traffic and aircraft noise with disturbed sleep and a higher risk of health problems such as heart disease. The good news is that soundproof windows can make your home a lot quieter. Here's how they work, and which options are worth considering.

Where is your noise coming from?

Different noise needs different solutions, so it helps to know what you're dealing with:

• Road traffic. Busy roads produce a constant, low rumble, which is the hardest kind of noise to block.
• Trains. Rail noise comes in bursts, often late at night or early in the morning when it's most disruptive.
• Aircraft. Homes near flight paths get loud, low-frequency noise from overhead.
• Neighbours and the street. Voices, music, dogs and car doors.

Low-pitched noise, like traffic rumble and aircraft engines, is harder to keep out than higher-pitched sounds like voices.

It's also worth knowing that windows can only deal with noise that comes in through them. If most of your neighbours' noise comes through a shared wall, the wall itself needs attention.

How windows reduce noise

Sound gets through windows in two ways: through the glass, and through gaps around the frame and opening sashes. Good noise reduction deals with both.

• Airtight seals. Even the best glass can't help if sound leaks through gaps. Modern, well-sealed windows that are properly fitted make a big difference on their own, especially if you're replacing single glazing or worn-out windows.
• Thicker glass. Heavier glass blocks more sound.
• Panes of different thicknesses. Two identical panes vibrate at the same frequencies, which lets some sounds through more easily. Using two different thicknesses reduces this.
• Acoustic laminated glass. A special interlayer bonded between two sheets of glass absorbs sound vibrations. It's one of the most effective upgrades for a double glazed unit.
• A wider gap. The bigger the gap between panes, the better the sound insulation, which is why secondary glazing is so effective.

Double, triple or secondary glazing?

Double glazing is the starting point, and replacing old single glazed or failing windows will make a noticeable difference. For the best results, ask for acoustic glass and panes of different thicknesses.

Triple glazing is often assumed to be the quietest option, but an extra pane of standard glass adds less noise reduction than you might expect. It's mainly an energy efficiency upgrade. If noise is your main concern, acoustic laminated double glazing usually does more for the money.

Secondary glazing adds a separate pane inside your existing window, with a much wider gap between the two. It's the most effective option for serious noise, such as aircraft or a busy main road, and it's ideal where the existing windows need to be kept, such as in listed buildings.

Don't forget ventilation and doors

• Trickle vents. New windows usually need trickle vents for ventilation, and standard vents let some sound in. Acoustic trickle vents let air through while blocking much more of the noise.
• Doors. A front door facing a busy road can let in as much noise as a window. A well-fitted door with good seals will help. See our guide to choosing a new front door.

Near Stansted? You may be able to get a grant

If you live near Stansted Airport, you may qualify for its Sound Insulation Grant Scheme, which helps pay for noise insulation in the homes most affected by aircraft noise. Depending on how close you are to the flight path, grants can be worth thousands of pounds, and they can cover double glazing, secondary glazing, loft insulation and door insulation or replacement.

To qualify, your home generally needs to be within the scheme boundary, built before June 2021 and registered for Council Tax. Applications are accepted between 1 April and 31 October each year. You can check whether your home is covered on the London Stansted website.

The other benefits of quieter windows

Upgrading for noise brings other benefits too. Laminated glass is much harder to break through, which adds security (see our guide to window security features). New, well-sealed windows also keep your home warmer, and a quieter home is more appealing if you ever decide to sell.

Want a quieter home?

Bennbrook Windows is a FENSA-registered installer based in Harlow, fitting high-quality uPVC windows across Essex, Hertfordshire and North and East London. We'll look at where your noise is coming from and recommend the right glazing for your home, and every installation comes with a 10-year insurance-backed guarantee through the IWA.

Explore our windows range or contact us for a free, no-obligation quote. You can also call us on 01279 964009.