New double glazing, road noise has increased

chickenpie81

Hi,

I recently had new double glazing installed by Anglian. I live on a busy road, 40 mile an hour limit, used by numerous trucks and heavier vehicles.

My old windows were knackered however, since having the new ones installed the road noise has increased dramatically. I was told at point of sale that the new windows would actually improve the noise. The noise with the new windows is not only greater but there is a kind of echo to it.

Is this possible? The guys used foam around the windows which again I was told would decrease road noise.

Really disappointed and just wanted some advice before I ring and complain. The noise never bothered me before but is waking me around rush hour every morning.

Any thoughts appreciated.

Thanks.

Furts

If your old window frames were wooden then then they will be better for sound proofing than a pvcu window.

Pvcu frames are bad news when noise is an issue - they are flimsy, hollow profiles that allow sound to easily pass through them

If you have trickle vents these will let the sound through. Answer is to keep them closed much of the time!

The window fitting is likely to be poor - I have yet to see an Anglian job that has been done properly. Noise could be getting around the frame edges, or the windows themselves may not be sealing properly - have you checked on this for each window?

The windows should not have been fixed with foam - mechanical fixing should have been used, and the windows should have received an external silicone bead seal to the brickwork, and a full internal bead seal to your inside walls. It is likely that this has been done, at best, in a half hearted manner.

chickenpie81

Hi,

thanks for your reply. My old windows were UPVC. My new windows do not have any kind of vent as far as I can see, and certainly none that I can open and shut.

They were fixed to the brick work with screws and the gaps filled with foam. The fitters did comment that there was no allowance left and I noticed big gaps around the frames (between the frames and the woodwork) before the foam was used.

There is a bead seal present on both the inside and outside.

Do you know if I would have any recourse for complaining as it is my word alone on the increase in noise levels?

Thanks again.

chickenpie81

p.s. how do I check the windows/frames are sealing properly?

Furts

chickenpie81 wrote: »

Hi,

They were fixed to the brick work with screws and the gaps filled with foam. The fitters did comment that there was no allowance left and I noticed big gaps around the frames (between the frames and the woodwork) before the foam was used.

Thanks again.

The gap should be 5mm as a typical figure. Any more suggests that the windows have not been manufactured to the correct size. Not unusual - I have yet to meet a window installer who can show any diligence in measuring up. But also not satisfactory.

Your old windows may have been manufactured to combat noise- using different glass thickness and/or laminated glass. Your new windows would not have been manufactured to match this, unless you specified this requirement.

If you specified, or allowed, a cheap profile, for example a 65mm unit then this will make matters worse. If you specified, or allowed, a poor number of chambers in the profiles this will also make matters worse. It is also possible that your old windows may have been superior to your new ones, and made to a higher standard. Modern pvcu windows are at best passable - they are cost driven down to the lowest conceivable price and quality

Expanding foam is a very poor noise barrier - one of the worst materials one can imagine. It is probable this is a problem as you comment on the large gaps.

The window operation is easy to check - do all the windows close with even pressure on the handles, even gaps all the way round and finish up tight?

Unfortunately you placed your order with Anglian Windows. This is akin to playing with fire and then complaining when getting burnt. Anglian are notorious for the problems they create, and the problems with getting a satisfactory solution.

Please keep us all posted on progress.

Hope this helps.

stator

You need to start by making an official complaint to them, in writing.

Unless you have evidence that you were miss-sold windows that don't damp noise then I doubt you will get very far.

You need special units that dampen noise, normal double glazing isn't designed for noise control.

chickenpie81

Hi,

Thanks again for your reply, it really does help!

I've checked the windows and they do close with even pressure, however, whilst there is no gap at the top (where the hinge is) there is a slight gap at the bottom (where the handle is). Nothing major but can see black at the bottom and nothing at the top.

I meant to say that when they were fitting the sills were not always cut exactly to size and the gaps filled with silicone. To be honest his silicone skills were messy and I asked him to redo a couple of windows.

I have no idea what size profile/amount of chambers I have. I'm guessing its just a standard unit? None of that was mentioned when purchasing them. I did ask about noise reduction when the sales man was here but he said that the A rated windows would be sufficient and superior to the old ones in terms of noise reduction. I took his word for it. Obviously should not have done that. I know I sound naive but did as much research as I could and trusted them. Wont be making that mistake again!

And yes, if foam is a poor noise barrier that is likely the problem as the gaps were crazy. They chipped away at the brick work to get them in, filled it with foam and put a seal around to cover it. Same on the back door. The door was narrower in depth than old one and they just filled it with foam and put a seal on, although the seal wasnt wide enough so have ended up with a shed load of silicone.

Not impressed. Going to call them in the morning. I'll post again then with an update. I'm paying through finance so they wont be getting a penny until its all sorted.

Thanks again for your advice. Feel a lot more confident calling them now.

chickenpie81

Unless you have evidence that you were miss-sold windows that don't damp noise then I doubt you will get very far.

You need special units that dampen noise, normal double glazing isn't designed for noise control.[/QUOTE]


Unfortunately I don't have proof, just the word of two employees I spoke too. I'll have a go anyway. Like I said I'm not happy and being woken by rush hour traffic every morning is getting very old very fast!

moneyistooshorttomention

I shall watch this thread with interest - as I had doubleglazed windows in my last house and they made quite a difference to noise level. But - the ones that were here on this house have surprised me with the fact they don't feel like they are keeping any noise out at all (just as well its a pretty quiet location then:cool:). So - I do know from personal experience that different qualities of window make a difference.

I shouldn't be able to tell when conversations are happening nearby outside - but I can and I can stand outside my windows and hear my tv inside the room.

Am watching this for pointers as to what to look for come the time - as I've already decided these windows will be swopped for more "normal standard" ones whenever I eventually have the money to do so.

Davesnave

Just specifying laminated glass in one of the panes will help, as will specifying that the gap around the frame is sealed with silicone rather than expanding foam. Both will cost extra, of course.

In a quiet environment, going beyond this would be silly. Indeed, I've done nothing special with my windows (2008 & 2015) and find the soundproofing is pretty good.

moneyistooshorttomention

Even in a quiet environment - if other houses are nearby and the neighbours are of the "nosy" (or worse) variety - then good doubleglazing helps with maintaining the privacy of the home.