Laminated safety glass with a viscoelastic acoustic interlayer that reduces noise transmission compared with standard laminates. Ideal near busy roads/rail and in privacy-sensitive interiors.
Definition
Acoustic laminated glass bonds two or more glass sheets with a special sound-damping PVB interlayer. It remains a Grade A safety glazing and improves airborne sound reduction versus ordinary PVB laminates of the same thickness.
Where It’s Used
- Dwellings and shopfronts exposed to traffic/rail noise
- Schools, hospitals, offices, meeting rooms and studios
- Interior partitions where speech privacy is important
Ratings & Selection
- Use Rw and Rw+Ctr: Rw is the glass-only lab rating; Ctr adjusts for low-frequency “traffic rumble”. For traffic-dominated sites, compare Rw+Ctr between options.
- Whole-of-window reality: Frames and leakage reduce performance. As a rule of thumb, choose glass rated about 3–4 Rw points above the required window value.
- Asymmetric build-ups: Mixed thicknesses (e.g., 8.76/10.76 mm) and/or placing the acoustic laminate inside an IGU help broaden low/mid-frequency control.
- Quantified uplift: Acoustic PVB can add ~2–3 dB vs standard PVB in similar makeups; check supplier data for the exact configuration.
Combining with Energy Performance
Acoustic laminates can be paired with Low-E coatings and argon-filled IGUs (with warm-edge spacers) to improve both acoustic and thermal performance. Verify U-value/SHGC via AFRC/WERS data for your climate and orientation.
Compliance (AU)
- Select and install to AS 1288; ensure products comply with AS/NZS 2208 as Grade A safety glazing.
- For multi-residential/commercial acoustic context, see NCC 2022 sound transmission guidance and YourHome’s noise control notes.
Sources
- National Glass — Acoustic Technical Information (Rw, Ctr, selection & examples): nationalglass.com.au (PDF)
- National Glass — Acoustic Data (rule of thumb: select glass 3–4 Rw above window target): nationalglass.com.au (PDF)
- Kuraray (Trosifol) — Acoustic PVB gains vs standard laminates: trosifol.com (PDF)
- Saint-Gobain — STADIP SILENCE (acoustic laminated range overview): saint-gobain-glass.com
- AGWA — Safety Glass Labelling (AS/NZS 2208; AS 1288 context): agwa.com.au (PDF)
- YourHome (AUS Gov) — Noise control (Rw, glazing advice) and NCC linkage: yourhome.gov.au
- ABCB — Sound Transmission & Insulation in Buildings Handbook (NCC 2022): ncc.abcb.gov.au
Spec tip (AU): quote the exact laminate makeup (e.g., 10.76 mm acoustic laminate) and the tested glass-only Rw/Rw+Ctr, then confirm the whole-of-window rating with your frame supplier.