The government’s recently announced “brownfield first” approach to tackling the housing shortage could see as many as 11,500 new homes built each year in London alone.1 But with noise pollution a growing concern, particularly in urban areas, how can developers and architects ensure these new homes offer residents a quiet space from the potentially harmful effects of outside noise?
Noise pollution is second only to air pollution in environmental causes of illness. In most European countries, more than 50% of urban residents are exposed to road noise levels of 55 decibels (db) or higher – day, evening and night – levels which are likely to have negative health consequences.2 In London, revealed by the UN in 2022 to be Europe’s noisiest city, levels can reach as high as 86db.3
As well as causing general annoyance and sleep disturbance, long-term exposure to noise levels over 55db can lead to high blood pressure and heart disease. The implications are even greater for children for whom noise can also affect cognitive development, such as reading, memory and attention.
With the likelihood that most brownfield developments will be close to busy roads, mitigating noise pollution will be a key consideration in building design and material selection. Windows, in particular, can be the difference between a scheme’s success or failure in overcoming the noise challenge.
High performance windows
In urban developments, standard double glazing, which typically reduces noise pollution by 30 to 35 dB, won’t be sufficient to achieve World Health Organisation (WHO) guidelines of below 30 db in bedrooms for a good night’s sleep and below 35 in living areas.
Fortunately, there is a solution. The VELFAC In System, designed specifically for multi-storey buildings, uses inward opening triple-glazed windows, which can achieve a sound reduction level of up to Rw46dB. Importantly, it can also achieve a Uw-value of 0.9-1.0 W/m2K, so a building’s insulating properties are not compromised.
External frames are polyester powder coated, available in a variety of colours, while internal frames, mullions and transoms are made from surface-treated FSC®-certified pine, either lacquered or painted in a choice of RAL colours, providing a warm and attractive finish.
VELFAC Sales & Marketing Manager, Kevan Woolf, comments:
“It’s clear that mitigating noise pollution is going to be a significant factor in the design of housing and other buildings on brownfield sites over the coming months and years. Fortunately, the VELFAC In System offers a highly effective and attractive solution. To achieve the best results, it’s important for architects and developers to involve window suppliers at the earliest planning stages.”