Question: Will replacing my current window with a soundproof window change the appearance of the lot? Will I need approval for this improvement?
My owners corporation has said I may install soundproofing to my 3 windows due to dog nuisance coming from various backyards in streets in vicinity. However, they say I am unable to proceed if the change affects the appearance of the building. I would be getting an extra pane of glass 100ml thick. Would this affect appearance?
Answer: There are solutions to your problem that would not require the removal of your existing windows or even the replacement of the current glazing.
It’s understandable that the Owners Corporation would be concerned with improvements that may negatively impact the appearance of the building.
That said there are solutions to your problem that would not require the removal of your existing windows or even the replacement of the current glazing.
The best results in reducing noise are to be achieved by the installation of a secondary window system, that would be installed on the inside of your existing windows and not require any alteration to the exterior of the existing frames.
For the best results a secondary window system should be installed leaving a 100mm space between the external and internal glazing.
Thick glass is not essential to achieve a good result, as it is the distance between the glass panels that is the main contributor to the reduction of noise, however it is important that both windows do not have glass of the same thickness.
For ease of cleaning the secondary window should be sliding with all sliding panels removable from the inside.
This post appears in the April 2021 edition of The NSW Strata Magazine.
Gary Stevenson E: info@windowline.com.au Windowline P: 02 8304 6400