Acoustic glass is gaining popularity in modern buildings due to its impressive ability to reduce outside noise and create a peaceful indoor space. To keep your acoustic glass performing at its best and maintain a calm environment, it’s important to take proper care of it. Here, we’ll cover simple yet effective tips for maintaining acoustic glass to ensure it provides much-needed tranquility, even in bustling settings.
What is Acoustic Glass?
Acoustic glass is a special type of glass designed to block outside noise. It comprises two regular glass panes with a plastic layer sandwiched between them. This plastic layer acts like a sound dampener that absorbs noise.
When sound waves try to travel through, the plastic absorbs most of the sound rather than passing through the glass. This makes acoustic glass much better at insulating against noise than regular glass.
Acoustic glass is rated based on its sound reduction capabilities. The higher the rating, the better the glass is at blocking noise. Loud noises like sirens may still be faintly heard, but acoustic glass significantly muffles the noise to maintain a quiet indoor environment.
Tips for Cleaning and Maintaining Acoustic Glass
Here are some useful tips to keep your acoustic glass working optimally:
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Clean it Regularly but Gently
Acoustic glass should be gently wiped down every 2-3 weeks using a soft, lint-free microfiber cloth or sponge paired with a mild, non-abrasive glass cleaner. Frequent yet gentle cleaning prevents dirt, dust, grime, fingerprints, and mineral deposits from accumulating on the glass surface over time. These deposits can potentially etch into the soft plastic interlayer of acoustic double glazing, degrading its sound-dampening abilities. Always use a very light touch when cleaning acoustic glass to avoid pressing too hard and scratching the plastic interlayer.
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Avoid Anything That Can Scratch
Never use abrasive scouring pads, steel wool, razor blades, scrapers, or other sharp objects to clean acoustic glass panels. Unlike regular hardy glass, the inner plastic layer of acoustic glazing is soft and prone to scratching. Even minor scratches and scuffs can hamper the noise blocking capacities of acoustic glass by enabling more sound vibrations to travel through the compromised plastic interlayer. Scratches create pathways for noise penetration.
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Check the Seals
The seals around the perimeter of acoustic double or triple glazing are crucial for impeding sound transmission. Regularly inspect these seals closely for any signs of shrinkage, cracks, gaps, or hardening over time. Any compromised seals provide an opening for noise to leak through, reducing the noise insulation abilities of the acoustic glazing. Damaged seals must be promptly replaced to sustain sound-dampening performance.
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Watch for Condensation
Small moisture condensation between the glass panes signals failed seals, indicating a loss of the insulating air/gas fill. This must be quickly addressed before extensive fogging and condensation occurs inside the glazing unit. Too much moisture can lead to algae and mould growth between the glass, reducing visibility and acoustic performance. Replacing compromised insulating glass seals is necessary to stop this deterioration.
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Proper Installation Matters
During original mounting or glass replacement, proper precautions must be taken to safely support the heavy weight of acoustic glazing and prevent slippage over time. The window frame, setting blocks, and structural support must fully bear the load of the glass to avoid seal failure caused by shifting panels. There should be full contact between the setting blocks and the glass edges. Improper installation can ultimately cause seals to fail.
The Bottom Line
Acoustic glass provides invaluable noise reduction that promotes peaceful indoor spaces. While durable, it still requires gentle care to retain optimal performance. By regularly yet carefully cleaning the glass, monitoring seals, and taking care during installation, you can ensure your acoustic glazing sustains its sound-blocking abilities for years of continued tranquility.
With simple, diligent maintenance, acoustic glass remains an exceptionally effective solution for damping disruptive exterior noise. Contact the experts at AIS Glass to find the right acoustic glazing to reduce noise in your home or office.