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Soundproof Windows for a Quiet Holiday Home
Road, harbour, lively neighbours or wind: how to choose acoustic glazing and frames suited to a second home.
Category: Double & Triple Vitrage • Published on March 22, 2022
A holiday home is meant for rest. Yet many second homes sit near a coastal road, a harbour, a busy street or a lively summer resort. Well-chosen acoustic windows make all the difference.
Identify the noise source
- Low-frequency noise (traffic, buses, boat engines): the hardest to stop; it calls for heavy or acoustic laminated glazing.
- High-frequency noise (voices, terraces, music): good double glazing with gaskets in perfect condition is often enough.
- Wind: by the sea, it causes whistling at the sashes; gasket quality and adjustment are decisive here.
Glazing solutions
- Asymmetric double glazing: two panes of different thickness, for example 10 mm and 4 mm, that do not vibrate at the same frequency.
- Acoustic laminated glass: a special PVB interlayer between two panes damps vibration. It is the most effective option against traffic noise.
- The right indicator: the Rw+Ctr index, which measures reduction of road-traffic noise. The higher, the better.
The frame matters too
- Double or even triple perimeter gaskets.
- Well-adjusted sashes with no play.
- Careful sealing between window and wall.
- Acoustic trickle vents if the home has mechanical ventilation: a standard vent can let a lot of noise through.
Second-home constraints
- Salt air: by the sea, choose PVC or aluminium with a marine-grade finish and corrosion-resistant hardware.
- Long absences: robust windows, burglar-resistant glass on the ground floor and shutters secure the house off-season.
- Humidity: keeping ventilation running while the house is closed prevents condensation and mould.
In short
Identify the type of noise, choose asymmetric or acoustic laminated glazing accordingly, and insist on careful installation. The peace and quiet will make every stay more enjoyable.