Secondary glazing in new build?

A new building; new bricks, new windows, new roof …. great building performance right? No need for any upgrading you would have thought. Well we are being approached more and more to help improve acoustic performance of buildings that have just been built. The move towards building on brownfield sites in city centre locations near to train lines or busy roads is meaning that the new primary glazing just isn’t meeting the desired or required noise insulation levels. Acoustically there are some very good performing primary windows; however the cost of these for a large new development often far out strips the budget. Furthermore, when the external noise levels demand the very best then the addition of secondary glazing is the only option. The resulting noise breakthrough from underperforming primary glazing not only upsets the tenants and owners but also fail building control. It is at this point that specialists in acoustic secondary glazing such as Selectaglaze are approached to solve the problem. With the addition of our acoustic secondary glazed units, we can readily achieve a sound reduction in excess of 45dB and have achieved reduction in excess of 56dB. Performance will vary, dependent upon the makeup of the primary and secondary glazing. From new build hotels to brand new luxury apartments, we have taken up the challenge to retro-design and retro-fit secondary glazing to these modern buildings. Selectaglaze has extensive experience working in Listed Buildings, most of which have good workable window reveals and balanced designs. In modern buildings we are finding features taken for granted in earlier buildings are being designed-out and window designs are changing. Eccentric break-line designs and very large pane treatments are common place, both options present a challenge to retro-fitted secondary glazing and to minimising the introduction of further sightlines. With so many building regulations to adhere to, tight budgets to work to and so many different building materials to choose from, it is not surprising that noise insulation levels can be overlooked. However with hoteliers livelihoods’ relying on their ability to guarantee a good night’s sleep, wellbing and developers marketing their new builds on the premise of a tranquil haven, the need for noise alleviation has never been more critical. This growing expectation of occupants appears to reflect our growing preoccupation with the menace of noise pollution!