Controlling sound in a closed environment allows you to design acoustically adequate and comfortable spaces in relation to their use and in this regard knowing the mechanisms that regulate the propagation of sound waves is of fundamental importance.
The sound absorption
Some materials have a structure that allows controlling the propagation of sound waves and quantifying them based on the ability of the material itself to absorb the incident sound energy dissipating it, in part, in heat. Choosing the soundproofing materials supplier is the best deal here.
This phenomenon occurs in different ways in relation to the characteristics of the absorbent element. The parameter that allows quantifying this phenomenon is defined as the acoustic absorption coefficient “α”, this gives us information on how much energy has been reflected or absorbed by the material.
Double glass
Double glazing, also known as “double glazing”, is made up of two glasses joined together by a channel called the chamber: one sheet faces outwards, while the other faces the inside of the building.
Triple glass
The triple glass is mounted according to the same logic, but there are three glasses and the chambers that divide the sheets are obviously two. Triple glazing certainly offers better performance than double glazing and is recommended to improve the thermal insulation of buildings in places with low temperatures. The disadvantage, however, is represented by the greater weight than double the weight and by the possible risk of reducing lighting, due to the “excessive” refraction of the sun’s rays.
Double or triple glass better?
The triple glazing, then, is the best solution in a very cold environment, or in the case of a window facing north; in all other cases, already with double glazing it is possible to obtain good levels of thermal and acoustic insulation and at a lower cost than triple glazing. It is also worth saying a few words about the soundproofing power of glass, which, in general, increases with increasing mass. Without going into too technical details, the acoustic insulation power is determined both by the distance between the double and multiple glazing and by the thickness of the sheets.. The modest thickness of the air gap in multiple glasses can negatively affect performance because the transmission of sound vibrations between sheet and sheet through the air remains consistent. The most effective glasses from the point of view of acoustic insulation are multilayer or stratified glasses thanks to the density of the superimposed layers and the low modulus of elasticity of the plastic film between the sheets: at each passage of sound, between layer and layer, a absorption of sound in the mass of the glue and glass, producing its damping.
Better PVC or aluminum windows?
As for the choice of the most suitable materials for acoustic insulation, the most recurring doubt is that concerning the use of wood, PVC or aluminum with thermal break , all with a good level of noise reduction, but with decidedly costs. different