Effect of Window Structure and Mounting on Sound Insulation: A Laboratory-Based Study

Leszek Dulak and Artur Nowoświat ()
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Leszek Dulak: Faculty of Civil Engineering, Silesian University of Technology, 44-100 Gliwice, Poland
Artur Nowoświat: Faculty of Civil Engineering, Silesian University of Technology, 44-100 Gliwice, Poland

Sustainability, 2025, vol. 17, issue 15, 1-18

Abstract: The acoustic performance of windows significantly influences evaluations of building quality, particularly in urban environments. This study presents the results of laboratory tests on the airborne sound insulation of windows with dimensions greater than those specified in ISO 10140-5:2021-10. The aim was to determine the impact of construction details and installation techniques on sound insulation, specifically R w and R w + C tr values. The experimental variables included mounting methods (expansion tape versus low-pressure polyurethane foam), the presence or absence of a threshold in the lower frame, and the type of mullion (fixed versus movable). The tests involved two types of IGUs characterized by different acoustic properties. The findings indicate that the frame configuration, including threshold and mullion type, has a negligible influence on sound insulation. However, the standard method for estimating acoustic performance (EN 14351-1:2006 + A2:2017), which relies on IGU-based data, proved unreliable for modern window assemblies. The estimated values of R w and R w + C tr were consistently lower than those obtained from direct laboratory measurements. These results highlight the need for verification through full-size window testing and suggest that reliance on simplified estimation procedures may lead to underperformance in real-world acoustic applications.

Keywords: sound insulation; weighted sound reduction index (R w ); measures sound reduction index (R’ M ); window sound insulation (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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