REHAU has highlighted the importance of windows that offer strong acoustic performance when specifying for retrofit and new-build residential projects.
The move follows the European Environment Agency’s latest noise pollution report, Environmental noise in Europe 2025, which revealed that over 20% of Europeans are exposed to harmful levels of transport noise, with road traffic identified as the primary source.
Long-term exposure has been linked to cardiovascular disease, sleep disturbance, and reduced cognitive performance in children.
REHAU UK CEO Martin Hitchin is now emphasising the role that high-performance windows can play in reducing external noise in homes.
He said, “In many regards, windows are the make-or-break component when it comes to keeping out noise. Factors such as the type of glazing specified, the quality of the frame, and how well it has been fitted can be the difference between a good night’s sleep and a restless one.
“This can be a particular challenge for social housing developments, which are often situated in urban areas where there is more noise, and many vulnerable people occupying them. Here, windows have a key role to play in ensuring that transport noise levels do not impact tenants’ long-term health.”
REHAU pointed to recent projects across the UK that have demonstrated what is possible when noise mitigation is built into the design process alongside decarbonisation aims.
In County Durham, homes near a main road and industrial estate were fitted with acoustic glazing and sound-attenuated trickle vents, with the result that internal noise levels were said to be reduced by up to 40dB. In a separate commercial-to-residential conversion near Heathrow Airport, developers met a 41dB acoustic rating through collaboration with suppliers and fabricators.
Martin Hitchin added, “Windows are obviously vital to all residential properties but they can be significant sources of heat loss and a major way that external noise enters a home. However, with informed specification practices, building professionals can identify cost-effective solutions that can significantly impact both a building’s overall energy efficiency and acoustic performance.
“Whether upgrading social housing or building new residential properties, third-party expertise is key to noise reduction for current and future homes. Retrofitting also offers great potential for future public and private housing, and specifiers that leverage supply chain knowledge will stay ahead of the curve as building work intensifies in line with elevated residential construction targets.”
