Soundproof Window Glossary

Acoustics:

The science of sound including its production transmission and effects.

Air conditioner enclosure:

An aesthetically appealing housing made of wood, formica, and glass, designed to reduce outside noise coming through an air conditioner when not in use.

Ambient noise:

The surrounding noise associated with any given environment.

Buffer zone:

The air space for acoustical and thermal containment between exterior and interior windows.

Double-paned window:

Two pieces of glass typically separated by a small amount of air or gas. Extra layers of glass are helpful in reducing noise and heating costs, but the overall benefits are not as good as a window system that has been designed for noise reduction.

Dual pane window:

See Double paned window above.

Entry door weather-stripping:

A neoprene gasketing system, including an automatic drop saddle for door bottoms, installed around the perimeter of apartment/home entry doors to reduce noise and prevent air draft, dirt and odor infiltration.

Exterior window:

The outermost window, the one exposed to the outside air or elements.

Glazing:

Using silicone caulking to affix glass into a frame to produce a secure seal.

Horizontally sliding panels:

Framed glass that slide from left to right and from right to left (side to side).

Interior window:

A window installed on the inside of an existing window to control noise, temperature, draft and dirt.

Interlayer:

A transparent material, Polyvinyl Butyral (PVB), used in laminated glass (inserted between two layers of glass) which reduces noise, increases the glass’ safety and provides 99% UV protection.

Laminated glass:

Two layers of glass permanently bonded together with a plastic interlayer between them; designed for greater sound reduction, safety, security and UV protection.

Lexan Mr5:

(registered trademark of the General Electric Company): One of many polycarbonate, UV stabilized glazing products available from GE; lightweight, security glazing material combines impact strength and abrasion resistance.

Monolithic glass:

Glass having a single uniform thickness.

Noise:

Any undesired, disagreeable sound, including any unwanted disturbances such as traffic sounds, street noise, car alarms, sirens, etc.

Noise reduction:

Muffling or eliminating sound.

Replacement window:

The removal of an existing window and replacement with a new window.

Shading coefficient:

The amount of solar energy that enters through a window.

Silicone:

The sealant of choice for structural and acoustical glazing and sealing.

Sound transmission coefficient (STC):

The ability of a material to minimize the passage of sound; defined as the ratio of the sound energy transmitted through a material to the sound energy incident on the material; (see sound transmission loss).

Sound transmission loss (STL):

The ability of a material to minimize the passage of sound; expressed in decibels (db) it is more commonly used than the sound transmission coefficient (STC).

Soundproof interior windows:

Window systems that significantly reduce outside noise.

Starphire®:

Starphire glass offers maximum transparency (5% higher Visible Light Transmittance than ordinary clear glass), High fidelity color transmission for an undistorted view, and jewel-like brilliance and character.

Stationary/Lift-out panels:

Framed glass or polished edge glass panels that are non-operable, but that can be easily removed from and reinstalled into the perimeter tracking system.

Thermal control:

The regulation of warm and cool currents of air.

Transom:

The horizontal dividing bar in a window that separates the top section from the bottom section.

UV:

Ultraviolet rays emitted from natural sunlight, which cause oxidation and fading of colors on furniture, draperies, carpet and artwork.

U-value:

A measure of heat transmission due to the air temperature difference from inside to outside.

Vertically sliding panels:

Framed glass panels that slide up and down.