Secondary Glazing Keeps the Noise In at University Facility

Rather than eliminating external noise, secondary glazing manufactured by Granada Secondary Glazing has been installed to keep the noise in at a university’s music department and prevent disturbance to nearby residents.

Although more commonly specified to reduce noise intrusion in buildings, secondary glazing is equally effective at stopping excessive sound levels leaking out due to its superior acoustic insulation performance.

Opened in 2022, the York St John University Creative Centre is a purpose-built, three-storey permanent home for their music and computer science courses. It also contains specialist facilities for theatre, drama, creative writing, and media production students.

However, aware that a number of the practice rooms back onto a busy street with some residential housing, the University sought out secondary glazing as a means of further soundproofing them. This was in addition to the existing sound-deadening measures, such as acoustic foam tiles.

Secondary glazing offers a discreet, cost-effective and efficient solution in reducing the emission or intrusion of noise levels by up to 80%, or 54dB. An added benefit is improved thermal insulation by up to 65%, helping to retain heat and lower energy bills.

Granada Glazing’s technicians installed 25 Horizontal Sliding units with 6.4mm acoustic laminated glass in recording studios, music practice, teaching and percussion rooms to dramatically cut noise levels emitted throughout the day.

Rob Cottam, Commercial Sales Manager at Granada Secondary Glazing, comments: “This was an incredibly interesting project for us. It’s rare that we’re approached to help keep noise within a building; our products are generally specified for projects where the client is keen to keep unwanted noise out.

“An acoustic laminated glass specification was chosen to help achieve this goal. Factoring in the glazing choice, our expertly crafted frames and the cavity between primary and secondary unit, the results were incredibly impressive.”

Rob adds: “As you’d expect, from a soundproofing perspective, the windows themselves are generally the weakest spot, the most likely to let noise leak out into the surrounding areas. Thankfully, our products, combined with the excellent work from the University, has effectively soundproofed a number of rooms within their music department.”

Suitable for all property types, Granada’s slimline aluminium secondary glazing frames can be powder coated in over 200 RAL colours. Virtually invisible, they blend in with any interior décor. The Granada Glazing product range encompasses hinged, sliding, vertical sliders, including tilt back, and lift-out options.

Granada Glazing partners with architects and specifiers on the design, manufacture and supply of high quality commercial secondary glazing for all sectors and building types across the UK.

For more information on the Granada Secondary Glazing range, please call 01909 499899 or email info@granadaglazing.com.