Which prevents noise best - Air gap or filled in Questions and answers on many aspects of soundproofing areas of your home

[Tetley99]

I've just moved into a property next to a train line.

The bedroom is double glazed with an additional window behind this to make it triple glazed.

Will noise levels be less if I fill in the gap between the windows with a material (such as bubble wrap, foam) or if it is left as an air gap?

Please help!

[Nimrod]

Sadly filling the gap between the main window and the additional one with foam or bubble wrap will not reduce the noise levels from the railway line.

To begin to be effective against airborne noise the gap between the additional window and original double glazed window would need to be of the order of 10 to 20cm. The reveal to the gap would also need to be lined with sound absorbing material in order to damp the resonance of the enclosed air space.

To maximise any sound reduction improvements gaps or cracks (no matter how small) around the windows also need to be sealed and made air tight.

Is the gap too small?

Is this your own property?

If so you could consider building a wooden sub-frame of suitable depth say 15cm around the window opening and then remount the secondary glazing unit on this. Again strict attention needs to be paid to sealing of any leakage points.