Achieving Optimal Sound Mitigation From Interior Windows and Partitions
12/04/2018
Sound mitigation is an important consideration in any architectural design, but it’s a critical component in office buildings and schools.
How to Measure Sound Ratings in Glazed Windows and Partition Systems
Ron Wooten, writing for Glass Magazine, offers some guidelines on how you can measure sound mitigation.
OITC vs. STC Glazing
Outdoor Indoor Transmission Class and the Sound Transmission Class. With OITC, the higher the number the more effective the sound mitigation properties. With STC, a higher rating means increased sound attenuation capabilities (and can be used on exterior glazing systems as well).
Sound Mitigation of Glass
Ron states:
Glass itself does not generally have good sound attenuation properties; however, adding an interlayer between glass lites offers great improvements. As such, laminated glass is typically chosen for projects that call for greater sound mitigation from glazing systems. Monolithic glass can still be used, but it should be paired with laminated glass in a double-glazed unit.
A properly designed double-glazed office partition with a 3 ½-inch space between glass lites can offer, and even outperform, the soundproofing capabilities of a concrete wall of equal thickness. The larger the airspace between the glass lites, the better the sound attenuation properties. A double-glazed unit with a 6-inch airspace will achieve an STC rating of approximately 15 points greater than a double-glazed unit with a ¼-inch airspace.
How St. Cloud Window’s Interior Windows Mitigate Sound
We consider sound mitigation in all our interior windows and sound control room windows. St. Cloud Window acoustic products meet and exceed the ratings in the article and we have one the largest repositories of testing reports with over 250 certified product acoustics tests and volumes of transmission loss data.
To see what our acoustic window solutions can do for your business, contact us today.
