sound proofing sash windows

melski

What is the most effective way of reducing the amount of noise that gets let in without buying double glazing? I'm in the ground floor of a victorian conversion flat and get a lot of noise from the outside street (there is a hospital at the end of my road so people are always walking up and down at all times of day/night).

I've had a couple of quotes for draught proofing my sash windows - one from Ventrolla which was about £450 per window and one from a sash restoration company which was £412 per window (but unlike ventrolla included the windows being fully painted and fitted with new locks, handles etc).

I'd rather not go with Ventrolla because they don't do the painting, but am worried that the other one won't make as much difference - can anyone advise? And how much difference would either option make compared to getting new double glazed sash windows (which is obviously more expensive!)

olive84

I just had my sash windows draught proofed, which was about £375 a window, including all the brass fittings etc. We live on a main road and now cannot hear the road noise at all, unless its a particularly loud siren or lorry. Couldn't recommend it more, and don't think you need to pay over the odds for Ventrolla.

foxwales

That is quite steep in price, with a bit of know how and time you can draught proof each window for around £10-20 each.

Things you need:

Silicone Sealant - £5-12 appx - Is a good insulator and is very pliable allowing you to seal around the windows, helping to reduce draught and also noise.

Draught Beading - £4 appx - You can buy these in rolls, about 5 meters for £4 and you use them around the edges where the window frame meets the window housing, reduces draught and noise.

Glass film - £5 appx - It's a clear film that you can put on your windows to help reduce heat loss and also reduce noise.

If you can put in the time and effort, you can do this very very cheap!

All available from your local B&Q, Homebase and Wickes etc etc

sashman

Draught stripping will reduce sound coming through the gaps and consequently the heat loss too, however Sound is best reduced by fitting two sheets of glass. If two sheets of the same thickness are used, then the gap between two panes should be about 200mm appart (8" old money).ie secondary glazing, means you keep the existing.

If new windows are considered, then specify two different thicknesses of glass ie 4mm and 6mm will reduce noise better than two sheets of 4mm.

Consider 6.4mm laminated (like car windscreens) it'll reduce noise still further, as will stidip a laminated glass used in libraries.

sashman

melski

Thanks all for the quick replies - olive84, the difference that refurb has made in your place sounds really encouraging. Am realistic enough about my own DIY skills and motivation to know that attempting to do it myself is not a good idea(!) but like foxwales says, for those who are more handy than me it certainly seem like you can get all the bits you need pretty cheaply on the internet.

knightstyle

These people do a kit which refurbishes and improves sound insulation for sash windows.
It is not a quick job as it means completely stripping down the window, but not too difficult and no specialist tools required.
https://www.diysashwindow.co.uk/thediykit.htm

benood

We had a ventrolla like job done on ours by a one man band (john alfie windows from memory) and he charged about 150-200 per sash (you have to paint the windows), 2 years on they're as good as new.

The other way is to go for secondary glazing - doesn't look much but is very good for sound proofing.

greatwhitesharklover

This company will be able to give some advice glassdesignandbuild dot co dot uk as my uncle used them and found them very helpful, they specialize in Sash windows of all kinds.