As more people opt for city living, developers are building more high-density dwellings than ever before. With units in close proximity to one another, the need to insulate dwellings from exterior noise has become an important consideration in the selection of building products.
The development of high performance window and door systems which provide improved acoustic performance has become more prevalent in recent times as architects, builders and homeowners seek acoustic tested systems to reduce the impact of traffic, aircraft noise, and entertainment systems. Acoustic privacy in many properties has become a major concern.
Local governments have introduced regulations to address the problem; in some instances local municipalities have their own regulations or guidelines regarding noise abatement. Many projects are now required to meet strict acoustic specifications
The Weighted Sound Reduction Index (Rw) is a number used to rate the effectiveness of a soundproofing system or material. Rw values represent aggregated data showing the average performance of a window across a broad spectrum of sounds. Increasing the Rw by one translates to a reduction of approximately 1db in noise level. Therefore, the higher the Rw number, the better a sound insulation the element will deliver.
Architectural Window Systems (AWS) has conducted extensive research and testing on our aluminium window and door systems to evaluate acoustic performance and determine Rw values for our systems with various glazing options. We test our systems in a chamber that has 100 decibels of varying sound frequencies coming through the speakers. This volume equates to an aircraft taking off nearby, jackhammer 2 metres away or a heavy truck or horns nearby.
The test chamber is fully insulated and certified by the National Acoustics Laboratory. On the inside of the test chamber, there are microphones that measure how much sound is leaking through your product. After a specified time, you are given an end result measurement for your product.
Through considered innovation, AWS offers a of windows and doors from the Elevate™, Vantage and ThermalHEART™ brands to assist in insulating the building envelope from unwanted noise - making it easier to create beautiful living spaces which meet contemporary aspirations for efficiency and comfort.
Detailed acoustic test reports show the full spectrum of sounds from both high frequencies and low frequencies, and are available for all acoustic tested AWS systems. If you are working with acoustic engineers that require further data, you can source it from your local AWS Specification Representative or authorised AWS manufacturer.
For our Acoustics Technical Fact Sheet please click here.
