St Cloud Window -

Menu
  • Products
      • Search our Products
      • Acoustic Aluminum Products
      • Historic Aluminum Products
    • Close
  • Projects
  • About
    • About Us
    • AIA continuing educationAIA Continuing Education
    • Close
  • News
      • Latest News
            • visual noise on glass to protect birds

              How Can Glass Protect Birds?

            • Hotel Excelsior Suites

              What is a Storefront and Entrance System

            • Do impact Windows benefit Commercial Buildings?

              Do Impact Windows Benefit Commercial Buildings?

          • Read All Our News
        • Close
    • Close
  • Contact
      • Contact Info

        Phone: 320.251.9311
        Toll-Free: 800.383.9311
        Fax: 320.255.1513
        Email

      • Our Location

        St. Cloud Window, INC.
        390 Industrial Blvd.
        Sauk Rapids, MN 56379
        Map

      • Contact Us

        General Inquiries
        Find a Representative
        Media Inquiries
        Careers
        Lunch and Learn Request
        Quote/Budget Request
        Upload Drawings

    • Close
    • Close

How Strategic Design and Acoustic Windows Create Quiet Living Spaces

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.

VIEW OUR PRODUCTS

At St. Cloud Window we know every project begins with a challenge or an idea of what a building might be. We bring that vision to life with our distinctive design aesthetics, precision performance, and design-to-delivery support. Learn more about how our products can deliver on your design objectives and site requirements here. Then, check out our full line of historic replica and acoustic window products, and get in touch for more details about any of our high-performing commercial window products.

Filed Under: News Tagged With: Acoustic Performance, acoustic window, noise reduction, sound blocking, sound mitigation, St. Cloud Window

Need a Quote?

Click to Get Started

Contact

St. Cloud Window, Inc.
390 Industrial Blvd.
Sauk Rapids, MN 56379

800.383.9311

Email

Links

  • AIA – American Institute of Architects
  • CMMA – Central Minnesota Mfg. Assoc.
  • CSI – Construction Specifications Institute
  • NFRC – National Fenestration Rating Council
  • National Trust for Historic Preservation
  • Historic Preservation

Latest News

How Can Glass Protect Birds?

May 9, 2022

Glass surfaces on buildings pose a significant hazard to birds since glass is both reflective and … READ MORE

See All Our Latest News

Continuing Education

Continuing Education

Learn More

Copyright © 2022 St. Cloud Window | All Rights Reserved | Terms of Use | Privacy Policy | Minneapolis Web Design by BizzyWeb | Log in