Glossary of Soundproofing and Window Terms

ACOUSTICS:
the science of sound including its production transmission and effects.
AIR CONDITIONER ENCLOSURE:
an aesthetically appealing housing, made of wood, formica and glass, designed to reduce outside noise coming through an air conditioner when not in use.
AMBIENT NOISE:
the surrounding noise associated with any given environment.
BUFFER ZONE:
the air space for acoustical and thermal containment between exterior and interior windows.
DOUBLE PANED WINDOW:
are two pieces of glass typically separated by a small amount of air or gas. Extra layers of glass are helpful in reducing noise and heating costs, but the overall benefits are not as good as a window system that has been designed for noise reduction.
DUAL PANE WINDOW:
see Double Paned Window above.
ENTRY DOOR WEATHER-STRIPPING:
a neoprene gasketing system, including an automatic drop saddle for door bottoms, installed around the perimeter of apartment/home entry doors to reduce noise and prevent air draft, dirt and odor infiltration.
EXTERIOR WINDOW:
is the outermost window, the one exposed to the outside air or elements.
GLAZING:
using silicone caulking to affix glass into a frame to produce a secure seal.
HORIZONTALLY SLIDING PANELS:
framed glass or polished edge glass panels that slide from left to right and from right to left (side to side).
INTERIOR WINDOW:
a window installed on the inside of an existing window to control noise, heat and dirt.
INTERLAYER:
a transparent material, Polyvinyl Butyral (PVB), used in laminated glass (inserted between two layers of glass) which reduces noise, increases the glass’ safety and provides 99% UV protection.
LAMINATED GLASS:
two layers of glass permanently bonded together with a plastic interlayer between them; designed for greater sound reduction, safety, security and UV protection.
LEXAN MR5:
(registered trademark of the General Electric Company): one of many polycarbonate, UV stabilized glazing products available from GE; lightweight, security glazing material combines impact strength and abrasion resistance.
MONOLITHIC GLASS:
glass having a single uniform thickness.
NOISE:
any undesired, disagreeable sound, including any unwanted disturbances such as traffic sounds, street noise, car alarms, sirens, etc.
NOISE REDUCTION:
is muffling or eliminating sound.
REPLACEMENT WINDOW:
is the removal of an existing window and replacement with a new high performance window.
SHADING COEFFICIENT:
the amount of solar energy that enters through a window.
SILICONE:
the sealant of choice for structural and acoustical glazing and sealing.
SOUND TRANSMISSION COEFFICIENT (STC):
the ability of a material to minimize the passage of sound; defined as the ratio of the sound energy transmitted through a material to the sound energy incident on the material; (see sound transmission loss).
SOUND TRANSMISSION LOSS (STL):
the ability of a material to minimize the passage of sound; expressed in decibels (db) it is more commonly used than the sound transmission coefficient (STC).
SOUNDPROOF WINDOWS:
are window systems that significantly reduce outside noise.
STARPHIRE®:
Starphire glass offers maximum transparency (5% higher Visible Light Transmittance than ordinary clear glass), High fidelity color transmission for an undistorted view, and Jewel-like brilliance and character.
STATIONARY/LIFT-OUT PANELS:
framed glass or polished edge glass panels that are non-operable, but that can be easily removed from and reinstalled into the perimeter tracking system.
THERMAL CONTROL:
the regulation of warm and cool currents of air.
TRANSOM:
the horizontal dividing bar in a window which separates the top section from the bottom section.
UV:
ultraviolet rays emitted from natural sunlight, which cause oxidation and fading of colors on furniture, draperies, carpet and artwork.
U-VALUE:
a measure of heat transmission due to the air temperature difference from inside to outside.
VERTICALLY SLIDING PANELS:
framed glass panels that slide up and down.