Doors and windows with increased acoustic insulation.

Modern construction in its priorities includes not only issues of energy efficiency, aesthetics and safety, but also the level of acoustic comfort. Academic research confirms that constant and excessive noise causes sleep disorders, chronic stress, and in the long term can even lead to many diseases. Therefore, sound insulation of windows and doors is one of the key parameters in modern construction projects - both residential and commercial.

Sound insulation of windows and doors - testing and classification.

Sound insulation of building joinery is the ability of windows and doors to muffle sounds coming from outside. It is classified with the Rw index and specified in decibels (dB) - the higher its value, the better the level of protection of the building interior from noise. In practice, the method of soundproofing the building should be adapted to its location, taking into account the sources and level of noise. The sound insulation properties of building joinery are determined in the process of laboratory tests in accordance with the PN-EN ISO 10140 testing standard, in special measuring chambers. During the tests, sound is emitted on one side of the windows and doors installed in the chamber, and its level is measured on the other. The results are analyzed in different frequency ranges, precisely determining how the tested windows and doors muffle noise. The PN-EN ISO 717-1 standard is used to assess sound insulation and the acoustics of building joinery are declared in relation to it.

Compliance with building regulations.

Noise protection requirements also applicable to windows and doors result directly from building law and ministerial regulation on technical conditions that buildings and their location should meet. The required sound insulation of windows and doors depends on the nature of the building and its acoustic class and location. Such requirements are different for residential buildings, school buildings, hospitals and health service buildings, industrial and public utility buildings. Design documentation should contain specific guidelines on sound insulation parameters that must be met by the windows and doors used, depending on the type and level of forecasted external noise.

Construction of acoustic windows and doors.

The greatest impact on the level of acoustic insulation of windows is the sound absorption of the applied insulating glass units and the filling of the door frame and casements. Classic glazing units are not sufficient for effective noise suppression, therefore in places with increased acoustic requirements, sound absorbing glass is used, the construction of which is based on an asymmetric arrangement of glass panes of different thickness separated by layers of PVB acoustic foil. The space between the panes can be additionally filled with a noble gas that improves noise suppression. In the case of doors, the leading element is the appropriate filling of the casement with damping material. It is also important to equip the doors with sealing systems - including threshold sealing - effectively limiting the penetration of noise both from the outside and between insulated rooms.

Application of acoustic windows and doors.

Window and door structures with sound insulation should be used in places with medium and high noise load. Sound insulation indicators seem to be particularly important in the context of acoustic comfort of residents of residential buildings, but acoustic doors are playing an increasingly important role in production buildings, as well as in public buildings: in libraries, conference rooms, lecture halls, auditoriums, medical offices and many other rooms requiring peace and quiet.
In the issue of acoustic insulation of windows and doors, an important role is played by the method of installation that guarantees tightness and proper noise attenuation.