Soundproof Windows - Where To Buy Them?

[greatjob]

Dear All,

I would like to soundproof the windows in my bedroom (Condo in Bangkok). I saw this website http://www.soundproo...s.com/faq4.html but it seems that they only sell them in the States.

Would anyone of you know where I could get soundproofed windows? I would prefer if I could add another layer of windows instead of removing and putting brand new ones.

Any help would be truly appreciated.

GJ

[trogers]

If rented property, you will need the blessing of the landlord, preferably in writing.

[greatjob]

Thanks for the reply, I own the place and I know that it is much easier to modify something from the inside and changing anything on the outside.

Any help would be truly appreciated!

Thank you,

GJ

[Chalky]

Thanks for the reply, I own the place and I know that it is much easier to modify something from the inside and changing anything on the outside.

Any help would be truly appreciated!

Thank you,

GJ

Hi, been trying to do the same for our 15th floor condo but the landlord won't do a deal on it so I'll wait out for now. Found and got a very reasonable quote from a specialist company in Phuket, PM me for details.

[chiang mai]

I don't know where you can buy soundproofing windows but I do know that designing them is something of a specialised art that requires the proper calculations in respect of glass thickness and spacing between the panes so be careful what you buy and where you buy it from - there's an old adage, double glazing is for heat triple glazing is for sound.

[travelmann]

If rented property, you will need the blessing of the landlord, preferably in writing.

If its a condo he might also need the blessing of the developer too.

Many UPVC companies in BKK.

[trogers]

If rented property, you will need the blessing of the landlord, preferably in writing.

If its a condo he might also need the blessing of the developer too.

Many UPVC companies in BKK.

Developer or 50% of all the other owners. But this will not be required if the new layer(s) of windows is installed internally.

[greatjob]

If rented property, you will need the blessing of the landlord, preferably in writing.

If its a condo he might also need the blessing of the developer too.

Many UPVC companies in BKK.

Hi,

Thank you for all the feedback. Would you be willing to PM me a good company that could be doing soundproof PVC internal windows? I am in the Prakanong district.

Is there a technical term for soundproof windows (3-layers windows?).

Again thank you for all your help,

GJ

Edited October 7, 2010 by greatjob

[chiang mai]

If rented property, you will need the blessing of the landlord, preferably in writing.

If its a condo he might also need the blessing of the developer too.

Many UPVC companies in BKK.

Hi,

Thank you for all the feedback. Would you be willing to PM me a good company that could be doing soundproof PVC internal windows? I am in the Prakanong district.

Is there a technical term for soundproof windows (3-layers windows?).

Again thank you for all your help,

GJ

Triple glazing.

[TongueThaied]

Simply adding a second layer (glass or plastic) may help, but will not soundproof windows. If you want sound proofed, you must install double glazed thermal windows ( required in all housing in the US). These windows are manufactured in a factory and have two layers of glass with a space between the layers that is a vacuum. It is the vacuum that provides both a thermal barrier (like a Thermos) and sound proofing, because sound cannot pass through a vacuum. Because of the vacuum, nobody can make these up in a local shop. I know they are available in Thailand because I have seen them at Global House in Chingmai. You may be able to order custom sizes from the factory.

[trogers]

Simply adding a second layer (glass or plastic) may help, but will not soundproof windows. If you want sound proofed, you must install double glazed thermal windows ( required in all housing in the US). These windows are manufactured in a factory and have two layers of glass with a space between the layers that is a vacuum. It is the vacuum that provides both a thermal barrier (like a Thermos) and sound proofing, because sound cannot pass through a vacuum. Because of the vacuum, nobody can make these up in a local shop. I know they are available in Thailand because I have seen them at Global House in Chingmai. You may be able to order custom sizes from the factory.

Replacing standard 6mm single pane glass with vacuum double-glazed requires changing frames as well, and may not be acceptable as this results in changing the external appearance of the building.

[chiang mai]

Simply adding a second layer (glass or plastic) may help, but will not soundproof windows. If you want sound proofed, you must install double glazed thermal windows ( required in all housing in the US). These windows are manufactured in a factory and have two layers of glass with a space between the layers that is a vacuum. It is the vacuum that provides both a thermal barrier (like a Thermos) and sound proofing, because sound cannot pass through a vacuum. Because of the vacuum, nobody can make these up in a local shop. I know they are available in Thailand because I have seen them at Global House in Chingmai. You may be able to order custom sizes from the factory.

Is the wrong answer! Double glazed windows have a gap between the two panes where the air is withdrawn and replaced with an inert gas, there is no vacuum. Also, the third pane of glass is required to breakup the resonance of sound transmission hence the spacing between the layers is critical whereby they are not evenly spaced. In addition, the thickness of the various panes is also a key factor, as I recall they are all of different thickness's.

Edited October 7, 2010 by chiang mai

[chiang mai]

Simply adding a second layer (glass or plastic) may help, but will not soundproof windows. If you want sound proofed, you must install double glazed thermal windows ( required in all housing in the US). These windows are manufactured in a factory and have two layers of glass with a space between the layers that is a vacuum. It is the vacuum that provides both a thermal barrier (like a Thermos) and sound proofing, because sound cannot pass through a vacuum. Because of the vacuum, nobody can make these up in a local shop. I know they are available in Thailand because I have seen them at Global House in Chingmai. You may be able to order custom sizes from the factory.

Replacing standard 6mm single pane glass with vacuum double-glazed requires changing frames as well, and may not be acceptable as this results in changing the external appearance of the building.

Is also incorrect, I was able to replace single glazed windows with double glazed (gas filled) units from Thai Asahi in Thailand using the same aluminium frames albeit the channel that houses the unit had to be enlarged.

[trogers]

Simply adding a second layer (glass or plastic) may help, but will not soundproof windows. If you want sound proofed, you must install double glazed thermal windows ( required in all housing in the US). These windows are manufactured in a factory and have two layers of glass with a space between the layers that is a vacuum. It is the vacuum that provides both a thermal barrier (like a Thermos) and sound proofing, because sound cannot pass through a vacuum. Because of the vacuum, nobody can make these up in a local shop. I know they are available in Thailand because I have seen them at Global House in Chingmai. You may be able to order custom sizes from the factory.

Replacing standard 6mm single pane glass with vacuum double-glazed requires changing frames as well, and may not be acceptable as this results in changing the external appearance of the building.

Is also incorrect, I was able to replace single glazed windows with double glazed (gas filled) units from Thai Asahi in Thailand using the same aluminium frames albeit the channel that houses the unit had to be enlarged.

Then you are using sliding windows which are inferior for soundproofing. Works only for heat insulation.

[chiang mai]

Simply adding a second layer (glass or plastic) may help, but will not soundproof windows. If you want sound proofed, you must install double glazed thermal windows ( required in all housing in the US). These windows are manufactured in a factory and have two layers of glass with a space between the layers that is a vacuum. It is the vacuum that provides both a thermal barrier (like a Thermos) and sound proofing, because sound cannot pass through a vacuum. Because of the vacuum, nobody can make these up in a local shop. I know they are available in Thailand because I have seen them at Global House in Chingmai. You may be able to order custom sizes from the factory.

Replacing standard 6mm single pane glass with vacuum double-glazed requires changing frames as well, and may not be acceptable as this results in changing the external appearance of the building.

Is also incorrect, I was able to replace single glazed windows with double glazed (gas filled) units from Thai Asahi in Thailand using the same aluminium frames albeit the channel that houses the unit had to be enlarged.

Then you are using sliding windows which are inferior for soundproofing. Works only for heat insulation.

Correct, thermal protection was the reason for installing them but there again, double glazing alone is not an effective means of sound proofing which is why triple glazing is recommended earlier.

[TongueThaied]

Simply adding a second layer (glass or plastic) may help, but will not soundproof windows. If you want sound proofed, you must install double glazed thermal windows ( required in all housing in the US). These windows are manufactured in a factory and have two layers of glass with a space between the layers that is a vacuum. It is the vacuum that provides both a thermal barrier (like a Thermos) and sound proofing, because sound cannot pass through a vacuum. Because of the vacuum, nobody can make these up in a local shop. I know they are available in Thailand because I have seen them at Global House in Chingmai. You may be able to order custom sizes from the factory.

Is the wrong answer! Double glazed windows have a gap between the two panes where the air is withdrawn and replaced with an inert gas, there is no vacuum. Also, the third pane of glass is required to breakup the resonance of sound transmission hence the spacing between the layers is critical whereby they are not evenly spaced. In addition, the thickness of the various panes is also a key factor, as I recall they are all of different thickness's.

Jesus, why do I bother. Why did I know there would be such a correction. Thanks chiang mai! You are correct, of course -- almost. There is a semi-vacuum and the inert gas is normally nitrogen. I thought I would keep it simple. From personal experience, if you have a single glazed window facing a busy street, there is not a whole lot of difference in sound between opening or closing the window, some, but not much, maybe 10%. With a double glazed thermal pane window, the difference is striking, with sound reduction at 85% or more - like turning down the volume on the TV. Triple glazed will offer further sound reduction, but the sound reduction with double glazed thermal panes is so dramatic that the extra cost of the triple glazed units would not be justified -- TO ME!

[chiang mai]

Simply adding a second layer (glass or plastic) may help, but will not soundproof windows. If you want sound proofed, you must install double glazed thermal windows ( required in all housing in the US). These windows are manufactured in a factory and have two layers of glass with a space between the layers that is a vacuum. It is the vacuum that provides both a thermal barrier (like a Thermos) and sound proofing, because sound cannot pass through a vacuum. Because of the vacuum, nobody can make these up in a local shop. I know they are available in Thailand because I have seen them at Global House in Chingmai. You may be able to order custom sizes from the factory.

Is the wrong answer! Double glazed windows have a gap between the two panes where the air is withdrawn and replaced with an inert gas, there is no vacuum. Also, the third pane of glass is required to breakup the resonance of sound transmission hence the spacing between the layers is critical whereby they are not evenly spaced. In addition, the thickness of the various panes is also a key factor, as I recall they are all of different thickness's.

Jesus, why do I bother. Why did I know there would be such a correction. Thanks chiang mai! You are correct, of course -- almost. There is a semi-vacuum and the inert gas is normally nitrogen. I thought I would keep it simple. From personal experience, if you have a single glazed window facing a busy street, there is not a whole lot of difference in sound between opening or closing the window, some, but not much, maybe 10%. With a double glazed thermal pane window, the difference is striking, with sound reduction at 85% or more - like turning down the volume on the TV. Triple glazed will offer further sound reduction, but the sound reduction with double glazed thermal panes is so dramatic that the extra cost of the triple glazed units would not be justified -- TO ME!

Actually the gas used is Argon which is truly inert whereas Nitrogen is less so.

[greatjob]

Thank you all for your comments.

If I were to try to damper "bass" sounds from let's say a karaoke restaurant not far from my condo, would that still be enough or do they have special windows for this?

Again a big thank you for all the help,

GJ

[chiang mai]

Thank you all for your comments.

If I were to try to damper "bass" sounds from let's say a karaoke restaurant not far from my condo, would that still be enough or do they have special windows for this?

Again a big thank you for all the help,

GJ

It might be that you're on a losing battle with that challenge although the windows might be a place to start, don't be too surprised if making changes to the glass doesn't solve the problem adequately, other aspects of the problem include the window frames and the walls themselves. You state that you have a condo and I suspect that means aluminium window frames which as one poster has already pointed out, are not the best form of acoustic insulation. Perhaps the bigger problem is that the walls of your condo are likely to made from a single layer of red brick hence the walls are quite thin and do not provide any usable barrier to sound or heat. Short of constructing a second inner wall inside your apartment there's little you can do to circumvent that issue. Good luck.

[kevc]

Not all double glazed units are gas filled unless it's really noisy no need to go to the extra expense. Have you looked at the seals on your windows if there are gaps between the rubber seals then join them together with a drop of superglue (on the seals not the frames).If your going to use secondary glazing then they'll probably be sliding units which don't work so well with noise as you can't get a good seal. If your current windows are UPVC then maybe you can change the windows not the frames to double glazed units.

[longball53098]

I am no expert on sound or glass but I think to keep the low frequency of bass sound out of his place by upgrading windows is a expensive proposition and the the bass sound will still keep him awake or annoyed as the sound is vibrating the whole wall or building and not just passing through the windows.

[bifftastic]

I am no expert on sound or glass but I think to keep the low frequency of bass sound out of his place by upgrading windows is a expensive proposition and the the bass sound will still keep him awake or annoyed as the sound is vibrating the whole wall or building and not just passing through the windows.

True, bass frequencies are, more often than not, structure-bound. Which means that the structure itself is resonating to the frequency of the sound generated elsewhere. Very hard to stop.

The windows aren't really the problem, although replacing the existing ones with triple glazing (if properly constructed as debated earlier), will reduce the mid-range and high frequencies, as those sound waves are short enough to be reflected or absorbed by the insulation.

The bass, however, has a longer sound wave and is amplified by the structure of the building.

You're living in a sub-woofer

[travelmann]

Simply adding a second layer (glass or plastic) may help, but will not soundproof windows. If you want sound proofed, you must install double glazed thermal windows ( required in all housing in the US). These windows are manufactured in a factory and have two layers of glass with a space between the layers that is a vacuum. It is the vacuum that provides both a thermal barrier (like a Thermos) and sound proofing, because sound cannot pass through a vacuum. Because of the vacuum, nobody can make these up in a local shop. I know they are available in Thailand because I have seen them at Global House in Chingmai. You may be able to order custom sizes from the factory.

Is the wrong answer! Double glazed windows have a gap between the two panes where the air is withdrawn and replaced with an inert gas, there is no vacuum. Also, the third pane of glass is required to breakup the resonance of sound transmission hence the spacing between the layers is critical whereby they are not evenly spaced. In addition, the thickness of the various panes is also a key factor, as I recall they are all of different thickness's.

Jesus, why do I bother. Why did I know there would be such a correction. Thanks chiang mai! You are correct, of course -- almost. There is a semi-vacuum and the inert gas is normally nitrogen. I thought I would keep it simple. From personal experience, if you have a single glazed window facing a busy street, there is not a whole lot of difference in sound between opening or closing the window, some, but not much, maybe 10%. With a double glazed thermal pane window, the difference is striking, with sound reduction at 85% or more - like turning down the volume on the TV. Triple glazed will offer further sound reduction, but the sound reduction with double glazed thermal panes is so dramatic that the extra cost of the triple glazed units would not be justified -- TO ME!

I think its Argon:whistling: