How Double Glazing Reduces External Noise in Your Home

For many Bay of Plenty homeowners, noise is one of the biggest frustrations - barking dogs, traffic, scooters, lawnmowers, neighbours, and even aircraft noise in certain areas. Whether you live in Tauranga, Mount Maunganui, Papamoa or near a busy road, creating a quieter home can make an enormous difference to your daily comfort.

The good news? Double glazing is one of the most effective ways to reduce external noise, and retrofitting it into your existing timber or aluminium frames is often all it takes to turn a loud home into a peaceful one.

Here’s how it works and what actually matters when choosing the right glass.

Why Single Glazing Lets So Much Noise In

Single-glazed windows are essentially thin sheets of glass that vibrate when sound waves hit them. That vibration transfers straight into your home.

This is why older homes with original joinery often feel loud, even when everything else is closed.

Common noise sources single glazing struggles with:

• Traffic, trucks, and motorbikes

• Neighbours chatting or playing music

• School pickup zones

• Construction

• Planes and helicopters

• Lawn equipment

The thinner the glass, the more easily noise travels.

How Double Glazing Blocks Noise

Double glazing works by creating two barriers against sound:

1. Two Layers of Glass

Noise must travel through glass → air gap → glass again.

Each layer reduces vibration, lowering the intensity of sound entering your home.

2. The Air (or Argon) Gap

This gap disrupts sound waves, making it much harder for noise to pass through.

A wider gap = stronger noise reduction.

3. Sealed, Tighter Joinery

Old windows often have gaps, loose sashes, or worn seals — even a 1–2 mm gap can let a lot of noise in.

When we retrofit double glazing, we also reseal and realign your joinery, which significantly improves acoustic performance.

Together, this can reduce outside noise by up to 40% depending on your home and glass choice.

Upgrading to Acoustic Glass for Even Better Sound Control

If noise is a major issue - especially traffic, construction, or flight paths - we recommend upgrading to an acoustic / laminated glass option, such as SuperTherm™ Protect.

This specialised glass:

• uses multiple interlayers

• has dampening properties that absorb vibration

• significantly reduces sharp, high-frequency noise

• offers added security

• blocks UV rays

It’s particularly effective for:

• bedrooms near the street

• baby rooms

• home offices

• homes near main roads or roundabouts

• anyone sensitive to noise

We often see the biggest difference when homeowners upgrade their front bedrooms or living areas facing traffic.

Frame Material Also Matters: Timber vs Aluminium

Both timber and aluminium can achieve excellent noise reduction when retrofitted properly but for different reasons:

Timber Retrofit

Timber has natural acoustic dampening qualities.

When retrofitted with modern glass, it often performs extremely well for noise control.

Aluminium Retrofit

Aluminium conducts sound more easily, so the glass choice becomes even more important.Upgrading to laminated or acoustic options gives a noticeably quieter result.

We assess your frames during your quote and recommend the best acoustic setup for your home.

Realistic Expectations: What Noise Will Reduce?

Double glazing dramatically reduces consistent, medium-frequency noise such as:

• traffic rumble

• general neighbourhood noise

• people talking outside

• lawnmowers

• barking dogs

It will soften (not fully eliminate):

• sirens

• aircraft

• construction impacts

• very loud bass sounds

For most Bay of Plenty homeowners, that means a quieter, calmer home all day and night.

Signs You’d Benefit From Noise-Reducing Double Glazing

You’ll notice a big improvement if you:

• live near a main road

• hear neighbours through single glazing

• struggle to sleep because of noise

• work from home

• have a newborn or young children

• are near schools, sports fields, or construction

• live in a busy townhouse development

Noise affects sleep, stress levels, and overall wellbeing — improving it is one of the biggest lifestyle upgrades you can make.

Retrofit or Replacement: Which Option Is Best for Noise?

You’ll get excellent results from either option.

Retrofit Double Glazing

Best if your frames are solid and you want a cost-effective noise upgrade.

Replacement Joinery

Best if your frames:

• are deteriorating

• don’t seal properly

• are very old aluminium

• need configuration changes (e.g., window → door)

During your quote, we assess your current joinery and give honest recommendations.

FAQs About Noise-Reducing Double Glazing

How much noise reduction can I expect?

Typically 30–40%, sometimes more with acoustic glass.

Does laminated glass really make a difference?

Yes — laminated and acoustic glass can dramatically reduce sharp or high-frequency noise.

Can you retrofit noise-reducing glass into my current frames?

Usually yes — timber and most aluminium frames are suitable.

Will double glazing help with both noise and heat?

Absolutely. SuperTherm™ glass improves insulation, reduces heat gain, and cuts noise at the same time.

Get a Quieter Home With Elite Double Glazing

If outside noise is affecting your comfort, sleep, or lifestyle, double glazing is one of the most effective solutions.

We retrofit and replace windows for homes across: Tauranga • Papamoa • Mount Maunganui • Pyes Pa • Bethlehem • Welcome Bay • Te Puke • and the wider Bay of Plenty.

Book a Free Measure & Quote and take the first step toward a quieter, more peaceful home.