People need their homes to feel like a respite from daily life. But it’s hard to feel like you’re getting away to unwind when sirens, car doors, and other sounds follow you into your living room. The solution? A sound-suppressing glass door.
However, not every soundproof glass door option is created equally—and builders and consumers alike should understand what makes each product unique and effective. In this blog, the experts at ODL outline the basics of soundproof glass door technology, what you need in a soundproof glass door, and how our products can meet your needs.
More People Than Ever Need to Soundproof Their Homes
In addition to being an oasis from the world, homes are increasingly doubling as office workspace. That means that consumers are looking for homes that serve multiple purposes, and soundproofing is becoming a priority. After all, it’s hard to balance Zoom meetings and remote learning when you can hear every lawn mower, barking dog, and construction project in the neighborhood!
Research suggests that our need for multi-purpose homes will continue after the coronavirus pandemic. According to a Gallup poll, three out of four Americans prefer to work remotely when possible, even when there are no restrictions about in-person work—and many employers are now embracing telecommuting options
RELATED: 4 Fresh Ways to Boost Curb Appeal with Decorative Door Glass
STC: How Professionals Measure Sound Transmission
Since 1961, the ASTM International Standards Organization has rated building materials’ sound-suppressing performance. Referred to as a product’s sound transmission class (STC), this logarithmic scale measures a material’s ability to reduce sound as it passes through. The higher the score on the STC scale, the more sound is blocked.
The most effective options score in the 40s and 50s, although scores in the 30s are also incredibly effective at reducing noise. For example, a product with a 35 STC rating will make loud speech unintelligible—and an STC of 40 knocks it down to a murmur.
How Soundproof Glass Technology Works
“Soundproof glass” is a bit of a misnomer; most door glass doesn’t block all sound. In fact, traditional plate glass isn’t the best soundproofing material. When sound waves hit it, plate glass vibrates, transmitting the sound inside the building.
Soundproof, or more accurately, sound-suppressing door glass is built differently. Its construction can suppress and diffuse sound, making a space quieter. There are several ways glass can dampen sound rather than transmitting it:
- Mass and thickness: heavier, thicker glass dissipates sound waves, rather than letting them pass through.
- Air space: when there’s space between two panes of glass, sound is often caught and isolated between the layers.
- Lamination: laminated glass has a plastic layer between two layers of glass. This extra layer makes the glass more rigid, making it less likely to vibrate when sound hits it.
The most effective sound-suppressing glass can block roughly 90-95% of street sounds.
However, lower frequency street sounds, like the rumbling of a truck, are more difficult to mute completely than those of higher frequencies. This means that you’re more likely to hear the garbage truck in front of your house than a siren from a few blocks away—even with relatively “soundproof” glass.
ODL’s Sound-Suppressing Door Glass Offers Effective Noise Reduction
At ODL, our third-party tested soundproof door glass offers significant noise reduction. Our doorglass IGUs (insulated glass units) include a thin layer of air between panes, cutting down on most unwanted noise. All of our camed decorative door glass offerings are triple glazed, providing an STC that blocks 30 decibels of sound, which is the threshold for noise reduction.
In addition, ODL’s Severe Weather double glazed door glass with blinds scores a 39 on the STC scale, and our Severe Weather door glass a 37, offering consumers and homeowners peace of mind and protection from everything from hurricanes to noisy neighbors.
And because we design all of our products to be as beautiful as they are functional, you’ll find a soundproof option that works with any architectural style.
How to Get the Most Out of Soundproof Door Glass
When consumers need a soundproof glass door option, their needs are not limited to just the door’s sound reduction qualities. If you’re in the market for sound-suppressing door glass, don’t forget to consider these features as well:
Add Curb Appeal
We believe that you don’t have to sacrifice beauty for function. The right sound-suppressing door glass should not only reduce street noise but look beautiful, too. Salix is a modern take on traditional camed glass with its willow pattern that suppresses sound, offers privacy and elevates the look of any home.
Let in Natural Light (and Protect Your Privacy, Too)
Nothing elevates a home’s beauty like natural light. At ODL, we understand that light is valuable—and so is privacy. That’s why we created the Triple-Glazed Enclosed Blinds with Grilles Between Glass option, so homeowners get privacy, light and reduced noise, all in one door.
Offer Severe Weather Protection and Peace of Mind
A front door should protect the investment you made in your home. If you or your clients live in an area affected by extreme weather, like hurricanes, your front door should be impact-resistant in addition to blocking street noise. Crosswalk offers a modern, abstract take on privacy glass and can withstand extreme weather.
Watch Out for Sound Leakage
If there are problems with your door’s construction, even the most soundproof door glass will be ineffective. When you’re installing an ODL glass insert, make sure it fits properly into the door and that there aren’t any cracks or gaps. This will ensure that you get the most out of your soundproof door glass!
Get Beautiful, Functional Sound-Suppressing Door Glass Options With ODL
At ODL, we craft door glass solutions that offer unparalleled performance and modern beauty. If you’re interested in learning more about how we can help you complete your building project or home renovation with functional sound and extreme weatherproof door glass in modern styles, please don’t hesitate to reach out. Simply fill out this quick and easy contact form, or explore our catalog.
References
Friedman, Z. (2020, May 6). How COVID-19 Will Change The Future Of Work. Forbes. Retrieved from https://www.forbes.com/sites/zackfriedman/2020/05/06/covid-19-future-of-work-coronavirus/?sh=45cdf0db73b2
