Practical problems of sound isolation through interior glazing systems

Abstract

In a number of recent projects, designers have expanded the concepts of visual openness within a building to incorporate large expanses of glass. At the same time, building occupants expect the glass to achieve similar levels of acoustical isolation as stud constructed partitions. These situations include glass-enclosed conference rooms, clerestory lites between offices and corridors, curtain walls and strip windows, and vision panels that are adjacent to large atrium spaces. Variables impacting the acoustical performance include the size of the vision panels, the type of glass, the airspace between multiple layers, and the framing system that holds the glass. This paper presents a number of case studies and methodologies that address these issues.