Following the European Environment Agency’s latest noise pollution report, REHAU has called attention to the importance of windows that offer strong acoustic performance when specifying for retrofit and new-build residential projects.
The report, Environmental noise in Europe 2025, reveals that over 20% of Europeans are exposed to harmful levels of transport noise, with road traffic identified as the primary source. As the document states, long-term exposure is linked to cardiovascular disease, sleep disturbance, and reduced cognitive performance in children, making noise pollution a public health issue as well as a planning concern.
Here, REHAU UK CEO Martin Hitchin highlightsthe role that high-performance windows can play in reducing external noise in homes: “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.”
Progress towards this goal can already be seen in the Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund, which has allocated £1.29bn to modernise properties in line with the nation’s net zero targets. This includes upgrades such as high-performance windows, insulation, and heat pumps.
Recent projects across the UK have demonstrated what is possible when noise mitigation is built into the design process alongside these decarbonisation aims.
For example, in County Durham, homes near a main road and industrial estate were fitted with acoustic glazing and sound-attenuated trickle vents, reducing internal noise levels by up to 40dB.[1] In a separate commercial-to-residential conversion near Heathrow Airport, developers met a strict 41dB acoustic rating through careful collaboration with suppliers and fabricators.
Martin concluded: “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, developers 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 developers that leverage supply chain knowledge will stay ahead of the curve as building work intensifies in line with elevated residential construction targets.”
Find out more about high-performance windows for social housing.
