Hinged casement secondary glazing

Hinged casement windows allow complete and easy access to the outer window.

They are classically neat and unobtrusive, with no transoms or mullions (cross pieces) to impede a clear view and they will generally provide higher levels of security.

This style of glazing is appropriate for doors, but there must be clearance for things like pelmets, curtains and ceiling bulkheads.

The range includes:

Note 1 - Series 20 and Series 60 have a maximum area based on the spring balance capacity. Windows cannot be constructed with both dimensions maximized. Refer to Soundproofyourhome for advice for advice.

Hinged casement windows allow full and easy access to the outer window. They are neat and unobtrusive with no transoms or mullions to impede the view and will generally provide higher levels of security. This style of secondary glazing is also appropriate for doors.

• Useful for treating windows where new sightlines are undesirable, for example a double-hung sash window in a listed property.
• Treats single or double doors. The double casements have no central mullion and so permit full width access.
• High compression seals will optimise noise insulation and also minimise airflow in locations such as laboratories where pressure differences have to be maintained.
• Full access is provided for window cleaning/maintenance. Standard multipoint locking improves security.
• Ceiling bulkheads and upstand details will prevent hinging.
• Introduction of a transom to combine the casement with another window style can overcome this problem.
• Sprung stays can be specified to allow windows to be restricted to 100mm opening.

Improve the acoustic performance of your windows

At best, a typical sealed unit constructed from two panes of 4mm glass with a 12mm cavity will provide a sound insulation level of around 30 dB. Adding secondary glazing to this typical unit, set an air space of 100mm or more, will provide overall sound insulation of 37 to 40 dB. Because noise level is measured in decibels (dB) and the decibel scale is logarithmic, a 10 dB increase will approximate to a perceived doubling of the noise level. Alternatively a reduction of 10 dB will lower the level of perceived “noise” by 50%.

Secondary glazing systems are already widely used in the commercial and leisure sectors, as well as in all sorts of health, education and public buildings.

When noise is a problem, a double window system will provide noticeably better soundproofing than a single window, even if this is fitted with double glazed units.

They are also uniquely suitable for listed and heritage buildings.

How secondary glazing works

The cavity makes the difference

The gap or cavity between an existing primary window and the secondary unit makes a significant difference to the level of noise insulation. Unlike sealed units where the two pieces of glass are rigidly coupled together, the primary and secondary window acts as independent barriers to noise transmission. As a general rule, the greater the cavity (a minimum of 100mm is recommended) the greater the sound damping effect of the combined window.

Minimise the gap

Gaps around window frames, although minute, still allow the passage of airborne sound that can reduce noise insulation levels by as much as 10 dB. Our secondary glazing units are tailor made to the aperture and come with high performance seals to sound shield the whole window opening and minimise sound leakage.

Multiple glass options

Having the ability to select for purpose from a wide range of glass types ensures optimum performance. For example fitting inner and outer glass with different mass avoids the phenomenon of sympathetic resonance which increases noise transmission at higher frequencies. The greater mass of thick glass improves acoustic performance, particularly at lower frequencies. Acoustic laminate glass has a special interlayer that helps improve high frequency performance – something very well suited to dealing with aircraft noise.

Acoustic liners

Acoustic absorbent lining materials can be fixed between the window frames raising insulation levels by 1 – 3 dB, most effective at higher frequencies.

Professional Secondary Glazing Installation Service available

Surveying, measuring, transporting and fitting secondary glazing is a skilled business requiring experience, product knowledge and specialist tools.

For these reasons we strongly advise that customers use only our professional secondary installation service which is available for projects across the UK. Tackling secondary glazing on a DIY basis is never recommended.

Our experienced professionals and tradesmen thoroughly understand acoustic secondary glazing applications, the materials used and how measure and to fit them quickly and correctly.

The result for the customer is a cost effective service and peace of mind about the acoustic integrity of the secondary glazing project. Contact us today for a free quotation or to arrange a site visit.

Soundproofyourhome is the domestic market operations division of JCW Acoustic Supplies Ltd, the UK’s leading manufacturer and distributor of soundproofing, sound insulation and sound absorbing products.

Sound advice from Soundproofyourhome:

Contact us today and tell us more about the noise problems you are experiencing. Our friendly, helpful advisors will offer you the most appropriate acoustic solutions available to meet your acoustic needs and budget from our comprehensive range.

We believe talking about your situation and offering sound advice based on our vast experience in the acoustics business is a more reliable way of solving your noise problem than simply taking your order or selling “off the screen”, as some companies do.

And if you are in any doubt about issues associated with soundproofing, like weight of materials, structural strength or meeting Building Regulations, then please talk to us – we’ll be happy to help.