In 1932, Seal and Hardy constructed a remarkable 'Art Deco' style Listed Property that stands as a modern office building in the vibrant heart of Bournemouth.
It is widely recognised that secondary glazing is a common feature in period properties for its ability to provide substantial noise and thermal insulation. By incorporating secondary glazing, you can effectively reduce noise from vehicles and enhance heat retention, resulting in a more thermally efficient building that reduces energy consumption and costs.
We were approached to assist in designing and installing slimline secondary glazing to minimise noise entering through the single glazed aluminium primary windows.
2 Days
9 Windows
Taking into account the specifics of the building, after conducting an on-site consultation, we recommended the installation of slimline horizontal sliders and lift outs. These options were carefully selected to complement the original primary glazing style and bring significant functional improvements to the entire building. Our primary goal was to address the prevalent noise issues, leading us to specify the use of 6.4mm Acoustic Laminated Glass for the secondary glazed systems.
To effectively minimise noise transmission, we installed the secondary glazed systems with a 150mm glass-to-glass cavity, a widely recognised approach for addressing noise concerns. The Grade II Listed Property presented an additional challenge with its curved in plan glass window. While customising secondary glazing to accommodate such a feature can be expensive, we devised a cost-effective strategy by utilising two stacked lift out secondary glazing units. By closely matching the “coupling transom” to that of the primary window, we ensured that the secondary glazing installation remained virtually invisible from the exterior.
The entire secondary glazing installation process was efficiently completed within a couple of days, and the results were remarkable. The reduction in noise entering the office space was substantial, significantly improving the overall environment. Furthermore, the installation remained discreet from the building’s exterior, offering a seamless integration while effectively minimising noise and enhancing thermal insulation, all while preserving the period property’s traditional aesthetics.
"Secondary glazing provides a highly effective solution for improving work environments. By significantly reducing the amount of noise that enters through primary windows, it creates a much quieter and more conducive workspace, enabling employees to concentrate better and be more productive. This solution is particularly popular in period properties, where it serves to minimise noise levels and enhance thermal insulation, leading to cost savings through reduced energy consumption. Working on listed buildings is a unique opportunity, as it allows us to contribute to the preservation of their heritage characteristics while making them more thermally efficient.
