Atlas Glass logo

An aspect of window design that is commonly overlooked by homeowners is the degree to which your windows insulate you from external noise pollution. Sound insulation keeps outside noise out to create a peacefully quiet home. But why is that so important, and how do your windows play into it? In this blog post, we’ll look into how acoustic glass plays a role in the comfort of your home, and how important noise insulation really is.

How does sound travel?

First, it is important to understand how sound travels. Sound travels as a wave through the air and by vibrating through objects. The more material the soundwave has to travel through, the smaller it gets so less noise gets through. Usually, your windows would be a key point of weakness in your home that sounds easily travels through, as most traditional windows are only made of a single layer of glass.

Acoustic glass, on the other hand, is specially designed to combat this problem!

What is Acoustic Glass?

Acoustic glass is a special form of laminated glass designed to reduce the amount of noise that can travel through it. It’s bonded together using a special resin, giving two panes of glass the appearance of one single pane. This way of assembling glass reduces the amount of noise that can vibrate through it,

because the thicker the glass is, the more material sound has to vibrate through in order to reach the interior of the home. The noise-proofing qualities of the glass are increased by the bonding layer, which also absorbs the sound energy.

Glaziers use acoustic glass as a supplementary method for noise-proofing homes, as the insulation found in the walls and ceiling are sometimes not up to the job – especially if people live in particularly noisy spots such as commercial business districts or near public transport.

Why is Noise Insulation Important?

The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment in New Zealand states that noise insulation “plays a key role in maintaining people’s wellbeing”. This is because consistent noise even at a low level can boost stress levels to the point where we experience hypertension. Our minds need to relax, but if we’re constantly processing sensory input then there’s no opportunity for them to do so.

Therefore, we need to insulate the places we spend the most time in – such as our homes – against the constant assault of external noise. If you live near a motorway or construction site this is especially important, as the sound of driving cars or moving machinery is exponentially more bothersome than the everyday noises of a suburban community.

How You Can Use Acoustic Glass to Help

Talk to your local glazier about installing acoustic glass windows at your home in order to improve sound insulation. Remember that this is not the only way to insulate your home against noise, and that you should also make sure that the insulation in your walls, ceiling, and floor are up to code.

You may also consider double glazing your windows, which is when you install two panes of glass in the same frame with a layer of argon in between. Argon works to disrupt the frequency of the travelling sound so that it only makes its way into the house at a far-reduced decibel level (i.e. sound intensity). Double glazing alone has been used for years as the solution to sound pollution, but now that it can be compounded with acoustic glass, and homes are quieter and more peaceful than ever.

Obtain a quiet home and a quiet mind.

We believe that everyone deserves to feel like their home is a sanctuary. When you get in touch with us, we will be with you every step of the way to create your perfect, quiet home. Contact Atlas Glass today to get a free quote on your acoustic glass windows installation!

At Atlas Glass, we know that life can throw a lot of unexpected surprises at you. Broken windows are one of those nasty surprises, and they can be inconvenient to deal with if you don’t have the time to replace it or have it fixed right away. In order to keep the inside of your home safe from the elements, especially in the colder and rainier months here in New Zealand, you need to either patch or cover the broken pane (depending on the severity of the damage) until you have time to call in a professional.

So, without any further ado, here’s a quick guide on how to patch or cover a broken window from your resident window experts here at Atlas Glass!

Repairing a Chip

If your window has been chipped by a stray piece of gravel or something similar, then you might not necessarily need to replace the entire pane (unless you want to return your window to an entirely seamless appearance). In this case, your main priority should be preventing the chip from spreading into a crack, which can happen when windows flex in New Zealand’s varying temperatures.

Chips can be sorted relatively easily with some clear nail varnish or some clear drying super glue. First, clean the window thoroughly. Next, layer on the varnish or super glue where the chip is located until the gap appears flush with the rest of the window. This fills the gap enough to prevent it from spreading into a crack.

Keep in mind that this is a structural fix more than an aesthetic one, so although your window will remain intact and continue doing its job against the elements, the area where the chip was will still be visible.

Sealing a Crack

The next level of damage from a chipped window is a cracked one which is, unfortunately, a lot more inconvenient to deal with. Modern glass is designed to hold its shape when other sections of the same pane break. However, if your windows are older, then the crack will most likely spread quickly and create more problems for you. Thus, your biggest priority is once again preventing the spread of damage.

Assessing the crack damage

There are a couple of things you want to assess before you decide how you’re going to treat the crack.

Firstly, is there any loose or missing glass?

There might be a crack in the window, but that doesn’t necessarily mean there’s any missing glass. Ever so gently push on the area where the crack is to make sure it’s not going to fall out and shatter while you work. If there is missing glass, your best bet would be to cover the entire pane with a wooden board while you wait for it to be repaired.

Next, how big is the crack?

Depending on the size of the crack, you’ll be able to patch the window in different ways. Assess the crack size and how much water and draft it is likely to let into your home. Intuitively, a larger break means more cold air and rain, while smaller cracks mean less.

Patching the crack

Once you’ve got a better idea of how severe the damage is, you can approach patching it in a few different ways:

Plastic. If you are unable to reach both sides of the window, or if the damage is more severe, then you should grab a few sheets of clear plastic or a couple of garbage bags. Measure out your window and add about 3 centimetres of length each side, then cut out squares of plastic to place over the opening. Use a staple gun or nails to secure the sides of the plastic over the window. This plastic will act as your protection against the

Boarding Up a Broken Window

The last method for sorting out a cracked or broken window is to cover it with a wooden board, which is the most secure and effective method for keeping the warmth in and the rain out.

First, measure out the width and height of the window pane, and then cut a piece of wood to that size. Then, slot the piece over the frame of your window and nail it into place, making sure that the entire setup is secure before you leave it to withstand the elements. If you’re able to access the outside of the house safely, then it’s a good idea to do this on both sides. However, if that’s an impractical choice then only boarding up the inside is fine as a temporary fix.

The very last step is to call your resident glaziers to come and take a look so that you can have your window back in full working order. They’ll be able to give you advice on the best options for replacing your broken window, as well as an indication of the pricing and timeline for its repair.

Get your broken window sorted today!

With Atlas Glass, your resident Auckland glaziers, you can be sure that the job will be done quickly and painlessly. We’ve been in the business of windows for over 40 years, so we’ll be giving you the best advice and the best price on your window repair. Contact us today for a free quote!


cross