How Strategic Design and Acoustic Windows Create Quiet Living Spaces
03/28/2022
As urban areas become more population-dense, cities and developers are finding it increasingly difficult to find quiet locations for new apartment buildings, hotels, office buildings, and commercial spaces. As such, the focus has shifted to blocking the surrounding noise from traffic, rail lines, businesses, and pedestrians when building busy noisy areas. This is where strategic design – and the use of effective acoustic windows – is important.
Three key tips for creating a quiet living space despite the challenging urban noise include:
Choose the Quietest Space and Move Living Areas Up
The first – and perhaps most obvious – step is choosing the quietest space possible for the building footprint. Get as far away from rail lines, freeways, and other busy areas as possible. Then, place non-living areas, such as gyms, lounges, or other communal spaces on the lowest floors of the building, with residential areas above and further away from the ground noise.
Design for Noise
For windows, acoustic performance is directly related to the type of glass and fenestration design. Heavier, thicker laminated glass, and as well as high-impact glass have better sound-dampening qualities. Window framing construction and glass sealing methods also impact performance. Sound will find the weakest entry points, so high-performance interior wall systems and insulated electrical outlets can also significantly reduce the entry points.
Selecting Acoustic Windows
Acoustic windows are an essential component of a quiet building. It is beneficial to collaborate early with fenestration product manufacturers and acoustics specialists. Although high-performance acoustic windows may be more expensive initially, the cost of replacing or retrofitting for acoustics is higher. Acoustic window products are designed to block noise without sacrificing aesthetics or appearance, making acoustic windows an essential part of new construction or building renovations in noise-prone areas. For some projects, only part of a building may be impacted by noise. In these instances, it is beneficial to understand the type and frequency of exterior noise because this allows for cost-effective planning for each side of the building.
Effective use of acoustic windows has become essential to keeping urban noise out and creating quiet interior spaces. Look for STC and OITC ratings to find the optimal levels of noise mitigation. Our acoustic window experts at St. Cloud Window can help you find the best window for your acoustic needs – request a quote today for more information.