Protech Secondary Glazing

Johnny_Doe

Hi

Recently bought 2 secondary glazing windows from Protech direct (secondaryglazing.com). I must say I am not at all happy with the product, mainly the noise reduction is not as much as I'd hoped. It is about a half of what they claim on their website (in decibels they quote 20db reduction from double glazing (already 20db) so 40db roughly in total)...They are fitted well and sealed all around the edges with silicone sealant (with plastic strips) but I can still hear road noise (even from smaller cars). I'm no DIY expert but cannot see any gaps..

Am I expecting too much from the windows?, they claim to pretty much silence any road noise which it hasn't. I have used the top spec 6.8mm stadip "silence" and left a gap of 200mm between the main window and the secondary glazing tna..

I also accept that low rumbles and big lorries will never be silenced...

How can I make sure this is in fact 6.8mm glass? Any way to measure it? It could be 2mm for all I know? It doesn't look very thick!

has anyone else had experience of fitting secondary glazing, Any help would be really appreciated. I know I may be being a bit fussy but noise is a stress I could do without!

Many Thanks

mcgillm

Thats odd - have to say I had a really good experience with protech - lived on a street that had a bit of a student problem (late night/early hours noise) to the extent where I couldn't sleep through the night. Ordered secondary glazing with them which worked a treat - fitted it directly to the frame and used the same type of sealant... Have you phoned them, perhaps there's a defect with yours?

mcgillm

By the way - I used the sealant to 'stick' the frames together and then screw them together rather than round the edge after fitting... maybe there's something in that?

Johnny_Doe

Thanks for the advice mcgillm, I've actually gone for the "reveal fix" instead of "face fix" which Ithink you are describing so the windows are screwed to the window recess on all 4 corners then sealed around the edges with the supplied plastic strips.

Can you hear any traffic through the windows? (especially white noise tyre sounds?). It has reduced mine by about 30-40% but to be honest I was expecting a lot more (maybe 80%?) nr silent?!? They cost me enough!

chrisg1985

Johnny_Doe wrote: »

Thanks for the advice mcgillm, I've actually gone for the "reveal fix" instead of "face fix" which Ithink you are describing so the windows are screwed to the window recess on all 4 corners then sealed around the edges with the supplied plastic strips.

Can you hear any traffic through the windows? (especially white noise tyre sounds?). It has reduced mine by about 30-40% but to be honest I was expecting a lot more (maybe 80%?) nr silent?!? They cost me enough!

John what type of window do you have. Secondary glazing is very effective - does sound odd. post a picture and I will tell you everything that's going wrong.

Johnny_Doe

Thanks Chris, I'll try and get a pic up. The only thing I can think it is, is the side window letting noise in but that's a fairly small window and not facing the road?!

It's all fully sealed as far as I can see, maybe I'm expecting too much? There's only so much a window can do after all..

Johnny_Doe

Still no reply to 5 emails sent to Protech so now involving trading standards.

Can anyone please tell me how effective secondary glazing is supposed to be?

http://www.phys.unsw.edu.au/jw/dB.html

Chart further down page about a thrid if you hit play it plays a sound that reduces 3db each time , how much can I expect from that approximately? at the moment it's about 8-10db maybe..

Many Thanks

Johnny_Doe

Finally received an email saying they would not correspond with email any longer as I have involved trading standards lol brilliant after sales service, Be warned!

Stupid really and it has probably lost them a lot of money already! - do a google search on Protech and moneysavingexpert is on the first page! with my complaint... I love this site If they had replied sooner it probably would've saved them thousands! Protech I hope you're reading this! If you assist me now you may be able to recoup the loss if you're quick...

chrisg1985

Johnny_Doe wrote: »

Thanks Chris, I'll try and get a pic up. The only thing I can think it is, is the side window letting noise in but that's a fairly small window and not facing the road?!

It's all fully sealed as far as I can see, maybe I'm expecting too much? There's only so much a window can do after all..

Secondary glazing will work unless the seals are not together properly. I wouldnt mind betting that the small window is playing a part in the noise along with the fixing of the unit. For it to be totally effective it needs to be beded on some form of sealant. Give that a go and cover the small window with a second pane of glass.

Johnny_Doe

Thanks Chris,

Apart from Protech do you know of any good secondary glazing companies? I think I'll have the small window done by a professional this time

The front window I'm pretty sure is ok - I even nailed on slithers of wood around the edges so it was a snug fit before sealing.. and made sure there were no air gaps (used about half of the silicone sealant tube). I've no idea why they suggest take off 10mm when measuring (I know some reveals are not square) but 10mm is way too much (leaves huge gaps that I had to fill with more wood).. I'd rather plane it down to size..

chrisg1985

Johnny_Doe wrote: »

Thanks Chris,

Apart from Protech do you know of any good secondary glazing companies? I think I'll have the small window done by a professional this time

The front window I'm pretty sure is ok - I even nailed on slithers of wood around the edges so it was a snug fit before sealing.. and made sure there were no air gaps (used about half of the silicone sealant tube). I've no idea why they suggest take off 10mm when measuring (I know some reveals are not square) but 10mm is way too much (leaves huge gaps that I had to fill with more wood).. I'd rather plane it down to size..

I know you obviously don't like Protech and I don't either but I would buy the last one from them and install yourself. Your obviously competant and keeping the secondary glazing (even if ugly) uniform would be better. If you send me a picture of the secondary glazing unit in the corner and the edges where you have installed it I will certainly throw my two pennies in and try to guide you in the right direction. What is behind the secondary glazing? IE what windows do you have currently - if they are insulating very badly secondary glazing cannot be totally effective.

Cheers