Noise Reducing Window Shutters

Noise Reducing Window Shutters

Wood is a natural insulator of heat, cold, sound and electricity.

This means that real wood window shutters also exhibit these same properties.

The air pockets in wood do the insulation in much the same way as the air pockets in Duette insulating cellular blinds.

Our Fiji shutters in a wood stain finish are our best sound insulators.

This is because our wood-stained (as opposed to painted) Fiji range is made from 100% Paulownia*.

Window shutters, made from real wood, also help to reduce the effects of noise from outside.

From the point of view of insulation, think of sound and heat (either loss or gain) as being one and the same thing. They are just different forms of energy.

External Noise

External noise is usually low-frequency noise from passing traffic (heavy goods vehicle traffic and buses). It can also be of higher frequency as excited revellers leave your nearby local pub late in the evening.

Sound is the movement of air; vibrating air vibrates your glass, which in turn vibrates the air in your room and then vibrates your eardrums.

An insulating barrier, such as a real wood shutter in front of your glass, helps to attenuate the air vibrations between the glass and the back of the closed shutter panels, producing a softer room acoustic.

Solid panel shutters are the best sound insulators, but most people prefer the look and functionality of louvred shutters. When the louvres are closed, there is very little difference in sound insulation quality between the two.

Wood is the most soundproofing of all the materials used to make window shutters.

*Paulownia – The Best Noise Reducing Window Shutter

Paulownia has a low average weight. This makes Paulownia extremely lightweight and ideal for large window expanses or windows situated within roof spaces.

It has a very high strength-to-weight ratio.

Paulownia has a beautiful light to honey-blonde colour. It is very receptive to stains where the natural grain shows through.

Paulownia is dimensionally stable and consistently knot-free.

Due to its low thermal conductivity, Paulownia can keep your home cool in the summer and warm in the winter.

Paulownia is also an excellent sound insulator.

Paulownia is one of the world’s fastest-growing tree species. Good, sawn timber can be harvested in 10 years, and a new tree can grow from the original stump using the old and well-established root system.

This can be repeated several times, saving post-harvest clearing and land erosion.

The Paulownia tree has enormous leaves.

These leaves remove huge amounts of carbon dioxide from the air replenishing this with oxygen.

The leaves that drop each winter release nitrogen and increase soil fertility.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do shutters reduce noise from outside? Yes. Window shutters made from real wood act as an insulating barrier between your glass and the room. When the shutter panels are closed, the air gap between the glass and the shutter helps to attenuate sound vibrations, noticeably reducing traffic noise and other external disturbances.

What type of shutters are best for soundproofing? Solid panel shutters offer the highest level of sound insulation. However, louvred shutters with the louvres fully closed perform almost as well and offer far greater flexibility for light and airflow control. Real wood shutters outperform all other shutter materials for sound reduction.

Are wooden shutters better than blinds for noise reduction? Real wood shutters generally provide better noise reduction than standard blinds because wood is a natural insulator with air pockets that dampen sound vibrations. The solid construction and tight fit of shutters against the window frame create a more effective barrier than most blind types.

What is the best wood for noise reducing shutters? Paulownia is one of the best woods for noise reducing shutters. It is extremely lightweight, dimensionally stable, and has low thermal conductivity, which also translates to excellent sound insulation. Paulownia is sustainably harvested and can be regrown from the original stump multiple times.

Do shutters help with traffic noise? Shutters are effective at reducing low-frequency traffic noise from heavy goods vehicles and buses. The real wood panels and the insulating air gap between the shutter and the window glass work together to attenuate vibrations before they reach your room, resulting in a noticeably quieter environment.

Can shutters block out all noise? No window covering can eliminate noise entirely. Shutters reduce noise significantly by dampening sound vibrations, but they are not a substitute for acoustic glazing or structural soundproofing. For the best results, combine real wood shutters with double or triple glazing to achieve meaningful noise reduction in your home.

Wood is a Natural Insulator