ISOLAR SOLARLUX MaRo Opernquartier Frankfurt Main Germany Copyright ISOLAR GLAS 02

AKUSTEX®

The insulating glass for quiet and comfort

AKUSTEX® Schallschutzglas

More peace and comfort.

Optimum passive sound insulation is always a planning task for the entire building. In addition to determining the sources of noise, it is important to determine the desired sound insulation depending on the respective use of space. Not only the sound-absorbing properties of the individual building materials and components are to be considered, but also how they interact with each other.

Each “noise spectrum” consists of many frequencies with different intensity. Depending on usage, different means of transport already have very different noise spectrums. Therefore, for good soundproofing, a precise knowledge of the respective noise source is of considerable importance.

More than 80% of people in the industrialised countries of Europe are affected by the noise of everyday life, especially traffic noise. Your organism responds to this constant burden of physical and psychological stress. Such permanent stress is a recognised cause of cardiovascular disease. However, if noise can neither be avoided nor reduced (active noise control), intelligent ways of passive noise reduction are required.

Isolar akustex maro opernquartier frankfurt main germany

AKUSTEX®

The constant noise from cars, trains, airplanes, machines, televisions, radios and household appliances can make us sick. Even when we are not consciously perceiving the background noise, our body reacts to it through our autonomic nervous system, circulatory system, pulse and blood pressure. Our AKUSTEX® sound insulating glasses reduce ambient noise from outside with their sound-absorbing properties and thus provide greater comfort and quality of life inside the building. Depending on the sound insulation requirements, there are different principles in the glass construction that have a positive influence on sound insulation.

  • creased glass thickness (high mass)
  • Asymmetrical assembly (glass of various thicknesses)
  • Increased spacing between panes
  • Acoustic laminated safety glass with acoustic films

With well over 100 tested AKUSTEX® assemblies to choose from, we are absolutely sure of finding the right glass for you, so that even your building is pleasantly quiet in the future. 

Function & properties

The key to sound reduction is the glass assembly with the right combination of glass thickness, assembly and spacing between the panes. For a high level of sound reduction, AKUSTEX® with sound insulating laminated safety glass is the right choice. The acoustic films used in them are technically optimized for sound reduction compared to the classic composite films. The highest possible sound reduction is achieved with glass assemblies having two panes of acoustic laminated safety glass. Our sound insulating glass contains a gas filling in the space between the panes and can be combined with all ISOLAR® functional glasses.

Areas of application

Façade, windows, roof glazing, winter garden glazing, all-glass installations, store fitting

Glass Types

Multi-pane insulating glass (double glazing, triple glazing), laminated safety glass, tempered safety glass, heat strengthened glass, float glass

Downloads

AKUSTEX® | product brochure sound insulating glass pdf | 3.1 MB AKUSTEX® | Technical Data pdf | 1.5 MB

References

references/buergersaal-plattling

Citizens' hall

Plattling
Details
references/maro-opernquartier

MA’RO Opernquartier

Frankfurt/Main
Details

FAQ

What is soundproof insulating glass and how does it work?

Soundproof insulating glass is a specially designed multi-pane insulating glass unit that reduces external noise through a targeted combination of physical effects. Sound insulation is achieved primarily through high glass mass, asymmetrical pane configurations, larger air gaps between panes, and the use of laminated glass with acoustic films, which effectively dampen vibrations, thereby significantly reducing the perceived noise level inside the building.

How much noise can soundproof glass actually reduce (in dB)?

Depending on its construction, soundproof insulating glass can achieve sound insulation values ranging from around 30 dB up to approximately 50–54 dB. Simple insulating glass often achieves values in the range of 30–32 dB, whilst optimised soundproof constructions featuring asymmetrical panes and acoustic laminated glass achieve significantly higher values. To put this into perspective: a reduction of 10 dB is perceived by humans as being roughly half as loud – so even an improvement of just a few dB can mean a noticeable increase in comfort.

What factors have the greatest influence on the sound insulation properties of double-glazed units?

The sound insulation of insulating glass is essentially determined by four factors: the mass of the panes, the glass structure, the air gap between the panes, and the use of laminated glass. A higher glass mass generally improves sound insulation; however, thicker glass alone is not sufficient, as effects such as resonance or coincidence can have a negative impact. An asymmetrical structure with panes of varying thicknesses is particularly effective, as this reduces critical frequency ranges. In addition, a larger air gap between the panes can further improve sound insulation. Laminated glass with acoustic film makes a decisive contribution, as its elastic interlayer specifically dampens vibrations and thus increases sound insulation across a broad frequency spectrum.

Why does the sound insulation rating (Rw) measured in the test chamber not always reflect the actual situation in the building?

The sound insulation index (Rw) measured on a test bench is determined under idealised laboratory conditions and generally refers only to the glazing, without taking into account the influence of frames, joints or the installation situation. In practice, however, additional factors such as sound transmission via adjacent building components (flanking transmission), leaks or direct sound incidence come into play, meaning that the actual sound insulation within the building is usually lower. The Rw value should therefore be understood as a comparative and planning parameter, whilst the actual sound insulation always depends on the entire window system and the installation situation.

What is the significance of the Rw, C and Ctr ratings when assessing soundproof glass?

The Rw rating describes the weighted sound insulation performance of a glass pane in decibels and serves as a key benchmark for overall sound insulation performance. The supplementary ratings C and Ctr take account of different noise spectra: C represents predominantly high- and mid-frequency sounds such as speech or music, whilst Ctr reflects typical traffic noise with a higher proportion of low frequencies. Only by combining these values can one assess how well a glass is suited to the actual noise situation, as an identical Rw value can be effective to varying degrees depending on the noise source.

Is triple-glazed insulation glass automatically better at soundproofing than double-glazed insulation glass?

No, triple-glazed units do not automatically provide better sound insulation than double-glazed units. The specific glass configuration is the decisive factor, as symmetrical triple-glazed units can give rise to resonance effects that reduce sound insulation, particularly in the low-frequency range. In some cases, a specifically optimised double-glazed unit with an asymmetrical structure and acoustic laminated glass can achieve sound insulation values equivalent to, or even better than, those of standard triple-glazed units.

What role do window frames, installation and joints play in sound insulation, and how much does this differ from the glass’s sound insulation rating?

The actual sound insulation is largely determined by the entire window system – that is, not only by the glazing, but also by the frame, seals and the quality of the installation. Leaks or poorly designed connection details can significantly reduce sound insulation. In practice, the sound insulation value of a finished window is typically around 2 to 5 dB lower than the glazing value, which is why glazing is usually specifically designed to be more robust. Assessment is carried out on a test bench in accordance with DIN EN ISO 10140 and as a single-number value in accordance with DIN EN ISO 717-1, whilst the requirements in buildings are usually based on DIN 4109.

What types of sound transmission are there, and what are the typical weak points that can compromise a window’s sound insulation?

Within the building envelope, sound is transmitted via three main routes: directly through the building element (e.g. the glazing), via adjacent building elements such as walls or ceilings, and through gaps and leaks. In practice, weak points such as inadequate joint sealing, connections and gaskets, as well as components such as roller shutter boxes or ventilation elements through which sound can penetrate unhindered, are particularly critical. As sound insulation always depends on the entire system, even small leaks can significantly reduce the effectiveness of high-quality glazing.

When is it particularly worthwhile to use soundproof glass?

The use of soundproof glass is worthwhile wherever there are high levels of noise pollution, e.g. on busy roads, along railway lines, near airports or in densely built-up urban areas. It is particularly beneficial in residential and office buildings where peace and quiet, concentration and sleep quality play an important role. Even moderate improvements in sound insulation lead to a significantly lower perceived noise level, thereby noticeably enhancing comfort and quality of life.

Why is careful planning of sound insulation more important than individual high-performance products?

Effective sound insulation can only be achieved through a holistic design of the entire system, as the performance of individual components – such as the glazing – is influenced by other building elements. Even high-performance soundproofing glass cannot be effective if the frames, connections or installation are not carried out correctly. Furthermore, the individual factors influencing sound insulation do not act additively, but interact with one another. Early and coordinated planning is therefore crucial to actually achieving the desired sound insulation values in the finished building.

Can you get used to noise, or does it still have an impact on your health?

The human body cannot fully acclimatise to noise, as the body’s reactions to it are controlled unconsciously by the autonomic nervous system. Even if noises are perceived as less intrusive, noise can still trigger stress responses and affect health, for example through increased blood pressure, disturbed sleep or long-term strain on the cardiovascular system. Effective structural sound insulation therefore not only contributes to comfort but also actively helps to protect health.

How do I find the right soundproof glazing for my project?

The correct soundproof glazing can only be determined through project-specific planning, as factors such as the noise source, frequency range, building type and installation conditions are crucial. It is not only the dB rating of the glass that is crucial, but also the adaptation of the entire window system to the actual noise situation. Therefore, the relevant external noise level should be taken into account as early as the planning phase, and the glazing should be dimensioned accordingly to reliably achieve the desired sound insulation values in the finished building.