2

I am requesting quotes for replacing wood sash windows in a UK house (conservation area). My goal is to improve both thermal and acoustic insulation given right now I have single glazing. I have been given quotes for two different types of glasses:

  • Double glazing: 2 sheets of 4mm Clear Pilkington K Toughened, with argon-filled spacer (around 30-35mm)
  • Vacuum glazing: 8.3mm LandVac Enhance Toughened

While LandVac glass seems to have better thermal insulation, does it significantly outperform double-glazing for acoustic insulation? I am finding little information online from independent third parties.

Vacuum glazing is thinner (plus points on aesthetics) however it costs 30-40% more (minus on cost) and comes with "micro-dots" which separate the two sheets making up the glass (minus on aesthetics).

Daneel Olivaw
  • 121
  • 3

1 Answers1

3

Because the microdots increase the area of sound transmission through the glass, the vacuum effects of sound transmission are negated. This site shows that a Double Sealed Unit has a Sound Transmission Class (STC: a measure of sound transmission) of 34 while the vacuum unit has an STC of 27. The higher the STC number the less sound transmission. The argon fill on the Double glazed unit will also improve the STC slightly.

DelphicOracle
  • 3,075
  • 2
  • 8
  • 18