Sound Abatement

If noise is a problem in your home, there are several different glass options that can help reduce noise transmittance.

• Sound abatement is measured in STC or Sound Transmission Class. The higher the STC the better. An example of STC perception:
  • +/- 3 STC change is just perceptible
  • +/- 5 STC change is clearly audible
  • +/- 10 STC change is twice as loud
• STC is calculated by looking at the difference in the difference is sound via decibel outside the window and inside the window. For example:
  • If an sound is 60 dB on one side of the window and 30 dB on the other, than the STC rating of the window is 30.
• An STC of 40 is the "privacy threshold"
• Replacing single pane with double or triple pane windows will significantly increase an STC rating.
• The distance between panes of glass matter. The closer the panes are the higher the STC rating.
• The same qualities that help insulate your windows also helps with sound abatement.
• OITC is another sound abatement measurement that is not standardized at this time.
  • OITC stands for:  Outdoor-Indoor Transmission Class.
  • It includes frequencies that are lower the the common household sounds. For example: car traffic, airplane noise, trans and industrial process.
  • Just like with OTC the higher the rating the strong sound abatement performance.
• Here are some common STC ratings for Double Hung Vinyl Windows:
  • Single Glazed Window: 24-26
  • Double Glazed Window: 31-33
  • Laminated Double Glazed: 35-38
  • Dual Window: 39-50
  • The added cost of the laminated glass upgrade from un-laminated double-pane is not justifiable from a strict STC perspective. The jump from single glazed or double glazed to a dual window configuration is remarkably valuable from a strict STC perspective.