Sanctuary Glass

Zola Windows introduces its Sanctuary Glass to reach superior acoustic performance through a combination of wide asymmetrical spacing between panes, sound absorbing lamination and thick glass panes in differing widths. This glazing, combined with Zola’s existing tightly sealed and thermally broken window design, ensures that Sanctuary Glass products deliver not only sound protection but also energy performance and visible transmittance that is unmatched in the market.

Ready to include in any of Zola Windows’ product lines, Sanctuary Glass windows will ensure silence and tranquility deserved in a residence or office. Noise mitigation is particularly important in buildings near busy streets or highways, train stations, and airports.

“Sanctuary glass is a breakthrough for a building. The difference relative to regular glass is truly remarkable, and the moment of closing the window creates instantaneous serenity. It is not just about the glass, the window frame needs to be able to match the glass performance – which only a highly airtight window like Zola will be able to do. In addition the frame needs to be engineered to carry the additional weight of Sanctuary Glass. With our new offering, we have just the right match between glass, frame and air seals to achieve optimum results,” says Florian Speier, vice president and head of product development for Zola Windows.

Sanctuary Glass configuration can be used with any of the product lines from Zola Windows, and has certified third party testing results reaching up to 44 STC and 37 OITC. Zola has worked with third parties to test and verify performance in a few sample windows:

  • 44 STC and 37 OITC Thermo Clad Sanctuary Glass tilt-turn windows
  • 44 STC and 35 OITC American Heritage Simulated Double Hung (SDH) Sanctuary Glass tilt-turn windows
  • 40 STC and 35 OITC Thermo uPVC Sanctuary Glass tilt-turn windows

STC, or Sound Transmission Class, measures transmission loss between 125 Hz and 4,000 Hz.  This range covers most common sounds – human speech, barking dogs etc. The STC rating averages sound transmission results over a few points in between these frequencies.  OITC, or Outside Inside Transmission Class, meanwhile, measures transmission loss from 80 to 4,000 Hz.  The lower frequencies included in OITC mean that it is a better measure for blocking sounds often associated with transportation, speakers and subwoofers.