Annoying noises are everywhere. Traffic, dog barking, annoying neighbors are now encountered on a permanent basis, forcing us to increasingly consider soundproofing of frames as a solution. It is very likely to find a house in a quiet neighborhood, away from the traffic chaos of urban centers, but even there, no one guarantees that we will not face the annoying barking of our four-legged friends, even during quiet hours.
Characteristics of noise pollution from barking:
- The noise intensity is around 85 dB, while some dog breeds can reach 120 dB !
- The emitted frequencies are 2 – 5 kHz, which are particularly annoying and dangerous for human health, as they can penetrate even closed windows.
- It is possible for a large number of dogs to be in a building block, and the barking of one can lead the others to bark as well.
- A single bark is enough to disturb a person’s peace, and when this happens daily, it can make their life unbearable.
Solutions for Barking and Frame Soundproofing
One solution for the annoying barking of our four-legged friends (barking soundproofing) is to protect our home by installing soundproof aluminum frames. An aluminum window consists of two main elements: the aluminum profile and the glazing.
All aluminum profiles have sound reduction capabilities, but the most effective are thermal break profiles. Here, it should be noted that very few aluminum profile series in Greece have been certified, i.e., measured and evaluated by certified laboratories (e.g., Rosenheim). Therefore, you should request their certificates to know how effective they are and how much they will improve the sound insulation capacity of your windows. It should be emphasized that we are primarily referring to aluminum profiles and not to glazing, which has different sound reduction rates. Ideally, and in cases of high demands, we can fill aluminum profiles with various materials (e.g., sand) for even better results.
The glazing of frames is the second and perhaps most important element for the sound insulation of windows and balcony doors. A simple double-glazed unit with a cross-section of 5 mm/12 mm gap/5 mm offers sound insulation of approximately 32.5 dB, while there are soundproof glazings with sound-reducing membranes (different from simple Triplex glazings) that can reach very high levels of sound insulation, depending on one’s budget. . To see the differentiation of glazings and the most effective glazings, follow the link and see about frame soundproofing.
Finally, the installation of the frames and the sealing of the joints between the window and the wall play a significant role in the sound insulation of the frames (barking soundproofing). Various insulating materials have different performances regarding sound insulation, which are affected by their microcellular structure and vary among companies. These include polyurethane foams and 2-component polyurethane foams with sound insulation up to 58 dB, elastic insulating materials with sound insulation of 59 dB, as well as sprayed corks that can reach 60 dB.
It should be noted here that the above methods of soundproofing windows and balcony doors are not only relevant for the barking of our little friends but also for other noises such as church bells, bars, entertainment centers, etc.
Current Legislation
Law LAW 4039/2012 (Government Gazette A-15/02.02.2012) regarding owned and stray companion animals and their keeping in residences, states the following in Article 8:
«1. The keeping of owned companion animals is permitted in any residence. In apartment buildings consisting of two or more apartments, the keeping of owned companion animals is permitted in each apartment, provided that they:
A. reside in the same apartment as their owner or keeper,
B. do not permanently stay on balconies or in open areas of the apartment,
C. their stay in apartment buildings is subject to compliance with welfare rules, health regulations, and police regulations regarding public peace and D) have been electronically checked, tagged, registered, and possess a health booklet. »
Therefore, POLICE ORDER 3/1996 (1023/2/37-ia/8.01.1996) (Government Gazette B-15/1996) stipulates that «The “owners” of pets or birds are obliged to take every appropriate measure to ensure that they do not disturb the peace of the neighbors in any way.» , while the law for offenders – pet owners defines the imposition of a fine of 300 €.
Current legislation regarding noise (how much noise is allowed inside apartments)
Article 12 of the Building Code, which has been in force in Greece since 3/2/1989, defines the average hourly sound level that every building must have and how much noise is allowed to ”pass” into the apartments. As we can see from the table, the average hourly sound level in residences should be 30 – 35 dB for airborne noise. This practically means that inside our apartment, there should not be average hourly values above 30-35 dB in the case of airborne noise. 30 dB is the maximum acceptable value that should exist inside a bedroom, in the case of sleep according to the World Health Organization (see Table No. 2).
The same value but for impact noise (e.g., knocks from the apartment above) should be 55 – 60 dB. Download the building code from our library (Permitted decibel levels in residential areas) as well as other useful documents related to soundproof aluminum frames.
Current legislation regarding pets and entertainment centers based on the World Health Organization
Current legislation is now very strict regarding the sound insulation of our homes and noise. The main sources of disturbance in urban centers are noises caused by entertainment centers and bars, as well as noises from pets (e.g., dog barking).
The above table from the World Health Organization applies in most cases in Greece, so see above what noises are allowed for each type of construction (homes – bedrooms, entertainment centers, hospitals, etc.).
What are the health effects of noise pollution according to the World Health Organization
The effects of noise pollution on our health are significant and in some cases can be dangerous. According to the World Health Organization, exposure to high noise levels, especially in homes and during sleep, can cause changes in cardiovascular frequency, gastrointestinal problems, nervous system problems, difficulty waking up in the morning, and difficulties at work.
