Smart combination of noise rejection and ventilation

Increased sound and thermal insulation with modular window constructions

In floor-to-ceiling residential construction, on the one hand the often stringent building regulations for sound insulation must be met, and on the other hand the living space must be designed as attractive, healthy and economical as possible. Think outdoor areas with residential quality, natural supply of fresh air through windows and opening doors, and quiet sleeping and living quarters. "Especially in renovation and transformation projects of former office buildings into residential buildings, sound insulation and natural ventilation is an issue," says Stefan Mäkel, architectural consultant at Solarlux. "These buildings are often located in busy city centers or along railroad lines and flight paths. Full-glass façade elements such as folding/sliding and pivoting systems are applied as a second skin and used as an external buffer."

Many combinations possible

In recent years, Solarlux has provided numerous housing and transformation projects with such an external buffer. "We offer various solutions to achieve such an additional buffer," Stefan continues. "Think of adding transparent sliding and/or turning systems as noise reduction on the façade, with classic windows behind them as a second level on the room side."

However, a combination of a folding wall insulated to the thermal shell (Highline) and an external non-insulated balcony glazing (Proline T) is also conceivable. A design with a great sound-damping effect that also has other advantages. "The greater the spatial distance between the inner and outer element, the better the building physics effect and the greater the thermal insulation. That makes it possible to apply windows on the residential side with a lower thermal insulation performance."

Folding wall and balcony glazing

If the various folding walls are equipped with soundproof safety glazing, the weighted sound insulation value can be improved by 2 to 5 dB. Solarlux's thermally insulated Highline folding wall system and Proline T and Proline T Mega sliding/drawing systems offer these product features. A calculation example: if a thermally insulated folding wall with 41 dB is combined with a Proline T sliding/drawing system with 17 dB, and additional soundproofing features, weighted sound insulation values of more than 50 dB are possible.

Kastenfenster

A window construction equipped with double elements of the so-called "Kastenfenster" type from Solarlux can offer enormous advantages in terms of sound and thermal insulation for the transition of residential buildings and offices. Without renouncing the flexible opening of the elements and ventilation of the rooms. According to Stefan, there is another important advantage over windows with a classic tilt function. "They provide a permanent air exchange without drafts, even when the external facade is closed. This is due to air circulation when the folding walls are half open: air is drawn into the room at the bottom and blown out again at the ceiling. This "Kastenfenster" system also creates a thermal buffer zone. And if you equip it with a ventilation grille, even sound-insulated air exchange is possible without opening the window."

The "Kastenfenster" principle thus has numerous advantages that pay off, especially in multi-storey residential buildings with high sound insulation requirements. All Solarlux systems are certified building products with corresponding test certificates for sound and thermal insulation, which can be configured modularly. The thermally insulated glass folding wall systems are available with sound insulation values of up to 48 dB, while the new non-insulated sliding/turn systems Proline T and Proline T Mega are available with sound insulation values of up to 30 dB.