The wonderful world of sound – noise, roar, chatter, commotion, clatter, din, racket!

What’s best? What system should I use?

Anything that slides isn’t going to cut the mustard. There are systems out there that claim to achieve huge acoustic ratings, but in reality, they were most likely tested for acoustics only – not for their ability to open smoothly and consistently in real-world use.

The best-performing options are typically systems that use a compressible gasket – such as hinged doors, awning windows, casement windows, or, of course, fixed windows. Essentially, anything that creates a tight seal.

Hinged doors are a great option; however, to achieve a true full-perimeter seal, you also need to address the sill, which can impact DDA compliance. One option to consider is Raven Products. Their drop-down seals are an excellent solution for controlling noise, as well as air, water, and dust.

At ALSPEC (as of 17th March 2026), we have conducted 161 physical acoustic tests, covering everything from fixed windows and hinged doors to sliding systems – and nearly everything in between.

We’ve tested glass thicknesses from 4mm through to 12.76mm in single glazing, as well as double-glazed units (DGUs) up to 38mm thick, and even systems with cavity gaps of up to 92mm between panes.

Our testing measures performance across 18 frequency bands, ranging from 100 Hz to 5,000 Hz, resulting in sound reduction (Rw) ratings from 25 Rw up to 62.3 Rw.

For comparison: 150mm precast concrete typically achieves around 50 Rw.

*Comfort Thermally Broken Awning/Casement Window*

We love everything acoustics and the physics behind it. If you’d like help with a project or want to review one of our detailed test reports, feel free to reach out to our national team.

Architecture & Design Team

Alspec

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