“Early on we realised that if we wanted to truly transform peoples’ lives through their living environments, we needed to develop more deeply our fascination with, and knowledge of, the ‘science of silence’ – and then apply that expertise to our products and our process.”
Jacob Gwalbert Figura, CEO
How to Soundproof a Room Against Traffic Noise
There is a wide variety of ways in which you can lessen the sound of traffic in your home.
One option is to check your walls and exterior doors and make small repairs to seal any obvious gaps to ensure they give a greater degree of protection and insulation against the noise of the outside world.
There are DIY solutions such as window-plugs, which are soundproof sponges designed to keep out a certain amount of noise. While this may eliminate some of the noise, it will not achieve the same level as a bespoke installation designed to your specific requirements.
You could also look at planting large bushes or trees as a barrier between you and the offending road. This may lessen the noise but it cannot guarantee the level of peace you require, and it is clearly not an option for those who do not have a garden or people who do not want to compromise their outside spaces to such an extent.
However, at Hugo Carter, we believe the best solution to soundproofing windows against traffic noise in the UK is to speak to a specialist like us. We can work with you to deliver the ultimate answer to traffic noise; new windows that are also an elegant, smart addition to your home.
Our engineers are not salespeople. They will help you to find the best solution to fit your home and your budget – even if this means using other companies’ products.d the benefits of getting more of it.
Our Range of Soundproof Windows for Road Noise
Soundproof Sash Windows for Road Noise: We can supply a variety of designs; all can be customised to suit your home and your budget.
Soundproof Casement Windows for Road Noise: We offer a choice of traditional or modern styles, each offering safety, security and efficiency.
Soundproof High Performance Windows for Road Noise: Our most powerful bespoke noise reduction windows can achieve a drastic drop in decibels.
Soundproof Doors for Road Noise: Our range of doors complement the designs of our windows and play their part in combating noise pollution.
Soundproof Secondary Windows for Road Noise: Unlike secondary glazing, we can add a second layer of double glazing to reduce the sound of traffic to a manageable level. Not only is this solution more powerful, it is also long lasting and, importantly, very elegant.
How to Reduce Traffic Noise
The World Health Organisation has conducted research that found people living with noise pollution of more than 55 decibels are likely to suffer health problems. Some 1.6million people in London alone live with that level of noise on a daily basis.
People in this position run a greater risk of stress or even heart attacks, as well as difficulty concentrating at work or at school.
Soundproofing your windows to guard against traffic noise, wherever you are in the UK, is a healthy move to make. In towns and cities, road traffic is an ever-present background hum on the soundtrack of our lives.
Whether it’s the distant drone of a motorway or busy a road, the roar of a motorbike on a residential street or heavy industrial trucks, we all experience traffic noise of varying levels on a daily basis. Regular exposure to noise pollution can lead to hypertension, increased stress levels and contribute to high blood pressure and conditions such as tinnitus and hearing loss.
It is worth reiterating that there are many solutions available to those cursed by excessive traffic noise. But the best advice is to speak to an experienced professional – like the team members at Hugo Carter – to find a cure for your particular brand of road traffic noise pollution.
Our engineers will measure the level of sound you are experiencing using a professional noise analyser. This will establish the best type of product and glass for your property.
Noise Pollution Caused by Vehicles
Anybody who lives within earshot of a road will be familiar with several different forms of noise pollution:
Cars: We are about to enter the age of the electric car, which is much quieter than a traditional model. But there are still plenty of cars on the road fuelled by petrol and diesel, some of which are poorly maintained and exceed the legal limit of 74 decibels. This is especially so in rural areas, where off-road vehicles are allowed to exceed that level.
Motorcycles: Even when a motorbike is well maintained and operating within legal exhaust limits, it can produce up to 80 decibels in noise.
Motorways and dual carriageways: Research suggests that it is the incessant nature of noise from main roads that causes people most problems. Although weather conditions and your distance from the road can cause variations, at some level the noise is always there.
Emergency sirens: Nobody disputes the necessity for 999 vehicles to use sirens, but that doesn’t stop them being extremely loud and disturbing. A siren can reach up to 120 decibels and cause a shock to even the strongest constitution.
Motorways and dual carriageways: Research suggests that it is the incessant nature of noise from main roads that causes people most problems. Although weather conditions and your distance from the road can cause variations, at some level the noise is always there.
Emergency sirens: Nobody disputes the necessity for 999 vehicles to use sirens, but that doesn’t stop them being extremely loud and disturbing. A siren can reach up to 120 decibels and cause a shock to even the strongest constitution.
Street Noise Cancellation
Traffic noise pollution affects everybody in different ways. The proximity of your home to a busy road and the varying tolerances those in your home have for excessive noise ensures no two people perceive the problem in the same way.
That’s why, when it comes to cancelling out the problem of street noise, Hugo Carter does not deliver a one-size-fits-all solution.
Every street has its own noise characteristics. Even on the same street, the level of noise and its frequency can vary. So our skilled team will:
• Analyse the noise
• Analyse your particular situation
• Design the best performing solution
This way, we will come up with a solution that works for you and your property to ensure that you enjoy peace of mind as well as peace inside your home.
Our Engineers
Our engineers were trained by experts from the Institute of Acoustics at Southampton Solent University. Their extensive and ongoing training covers noise assessment, noise analysis and noise mitigation techniques.
We sincerely believe Hugo Carter’s engineers are the finest in their field. They bring with them a depth of knowledge about all aspects of glazing and the provision of efficient, cost-effective soundproof solutions.
We also use professional noise analysers to assess the level of sound, rather than telephone apps or cheap hand-held devices.
The problems caused by traffic noise pollution are entirely unique to every property, even close neighbours will experience different conditions and of course, people in the same house may have completely different tolerance levels.
Here at Hugo Carter we do not provide one-size fits all approach. Our skilled engineers will recommend the solution for you and your property.
How Hugo Carter Can Help
In 2019 Hugo Carter and won the UK Enterprise Award for Best Window and Door Manufacturer, and Silent Windows was named the most innovative product of the year!
You will be visited by a specialist who understands the science of silence and how to reduce traffic noise. They can talk you through your best options as they are definitely not a salesperson.
We’ll measure the noise levels in different rooms in the property using a specialist noise analyser.
We’ll talk you through your options and the various logistic and aesthetic factors to consider.
We’ll ensure we have a thorough understanding of exactly what you need. (It may vary from the front to the back of the property.)
We will only recommend our own windows if they’re suitable and if we feel you would be delighted with the results.
By agreeing to an Initial Visit, there is no obligation to commit to our service. This is your opportunity to weigh up how good a match we are and to understand your needs and options more fully.
Want to know more? Contact us today
As you can see, if you are considering soundproofing your home, or one particular room, there are several options open to you.
Hugo Carter is a trusted and expert provider of soundproof windows. We work closely with clients to understand exactly what solution they need – then provide it.
If you would like to speak with us about your soundproofing requirements, please get in touch today.