In an acoustic windshield between the two glass layers, there are two standard PVB layers, which in turn has an acoustic PVB layer between them. These layers are very effective in reducing noise from the engine compartment, wind, and traffic noise. This gives the rider a more comfortable environment. With the rise in the use of acoustic materials in cars, many companies introduced the acoustic windshield to tap into this emerging market. After seeing the increase in the usage of acoustic windshields, many car manufacturers added them to their new models.
And now, according to statistics, 1 in 5 new vehicles come with soundproof windshields installed in them.
Below are some key features of these acoustic windshields.
- They act as a barrier against air-pressure fluctuations at high speeds.
- It reduces noise from the other cars and the environment.
- It absorbs the sound transmitted from the surface to give a more comfortable riding experience.
- They also save you from UV rays. Hence decrease the chances of different skin diseases.
- They are thicker and denser, and this enables these windshields to provide a better chance of surviving a smash.
- It capable of reducing sound by 2-3 dB.
If your car had an acoustic windshield that got broken due to an accident, it is imperative to understand what kind of glass you are getting during the replacement. There are many knockoffs available at a fraction of the cost, but they don’t provide any benefits. Make sure to tell the mechanic to install the OEM (original equipment manufacturer) windshield and not an aftermarket knockoff. In case your insurance company doesn’t offer the OEM replacement than you could end up paying approximately $400 depending on the make and model. At this point, you may be tempted to go with the aftermarket parts, and believe me on this, the difference will be noticeable, and the riding experience will take a nosedive.
The scenario above obviously depends upon the condition of an acoustic windshield already installed in the vehicle. Otherwise, you won’t notice anything amiss. If you were to get an acoustic windshield installed, you would see a significant improvement in the acoustics.
How to Tell If Your Car Has an Acoustic Windshield?
The main point here is how to tell if your car has an acoustic windshield, or it just comes with a regular one? There are several methods of identifying this. Different automotive companies have their way of advertising and marking the windshields as such. They use different monograms and symbols to signify that their offerings are superior to their competitors. Some may include it in the manual. You can also search your model online to check whether the manufacturer has installed an acoustic windshield or not.
Try to locate the following symbols on the windshield for confirmation, they may be at one of the corners, center, bottom, or the top of it. The windscreen symbols will be in one of the four corners, or the center top or bottom of the windshield:
- Word “Acoustic” written on it.
- An ear-shaped logo, with an arrow passing through it, on the screen.
- The word SoundScreen also denotes the same thing.
- Some will simply write “A” to indicate it.
Do Acoustic Windshields Work?
The traffic, air-pressure against the windshield due to speed up, and vibrations are the primary cause of the noise. The acoustic windshields are thicker, which lets them reduce the noise. It reduces overall noise transmission up to 3 dB. This decrease might not sound enough, but when compared to the standard windshield, the difference is noticeable.
Additionally, you might find the following terms on your windshield.
- Laminated AS1 – It means that it is a laminated glass which has passed all the safety test and conforms to AS1 standard.
- E code in a circle – is used for the glass made in Europe.
- CCC in a circle – is for made in china glass.
- R43 – means it meets the European safety requirements.
- SoundScreen – is a trademark used for glass made by Ford.
Difference Between Double Glazing and Laminated Windshields
- Double Glazed Windshield: The dual glazing windshields make the noise harder to pass through such a thick surface. The overall performance is decent and the only disadvantage is the price. But they are becoming less popular due to the laminated acoustic windshield and most of the brands use the below-mentioned method.
- Laminated Acoustic Windshield: They have an acoustic film between the two plastics which in turn are held between two glass pieces. This makes it possible for such windshields to absorb sound and remain thin and light.
Double glazed windshields were effective regarding noise reduction was achieved with mass. As we know, more mass usually equals better soundproofing. Laminated windshields achieve its noise reduction properties by damping through its construction by using an acoustic film in between the two pieces of glass.
Do Acoustic Windshields Work?
The traffic, air-pressure against the windshield due to speed up, and vibrations are the primary cause of the noise. The acoustic windshields are thicker, which lets them reduce the noise. It reduces overall noise transmission up to 3 dB. This decrease might not sound enough, but when compared to the standard windshield, the difference is noticeable.
Other Ways to Soundproof Your Car
The sound dampening windshield is just one method for reducing noise within the car, but it is not anywhere near the other methods when it comes to performance. Although it is able to absorb some of the noise the price to performance ratio is below average at best. There are various methods which at similar costs give up to 10 times better results. Even weatherstripping tape in some conditions outdone it. But the best method is the use of soundproofing mats. Below we will briefly discuss this method. But if you want an in-detail review you would have to consult this guide for installation and this article comparing products from some top of the line manufacturers.
Sound Deadening Matting
The most effective and commonly used method for sound deadening a car is the use of soundproof mats. They are easy to install and the final result is worth each cent. The material used can vary from brand to brand, some use asphalt-based material, while others use rubber to achieve the results.
The main magic happens due to the thickness and type of material. If a mat is thicker than the material has a better chance of absorbing the noise as compared to a thinner mat. You can install them anywhere from floors to trunk. The more you cover the vehicle the better soundproofing will be. But if you are on a budget using them on only floors will give better results than any windshield will be ever able to accomplish.
The best brand out there is Dynamat. I have tested several other brands but no one can outperform it in the soundproofing department. But due to its higher costs than the competitors, some people choose other brands like Noico and Soundskins. The aforementioned materials are also very capable of delivering quite similar results and they are cheaper than the Dyanamt. But they also have their own set of issues. You can read a detailed comparison between Dynamat and Sounskins here. There are other brands like Hushmat, FatMat, and KillerMat too. Some companies like LizardSkin offer sprays instead of the mat to noise deaden the car.
Summary
The acoustic windshields have extra layers of soundproofing material to help them reduce noise from traffic and wind pressure against them. They are also harder and have a decent chance of surviving a smash. You can identify if your car has such a windshield by identifying the symbols like “Acoustic”, “A”, “Soundscreen” and ear logo with an arrow. When it comes to performance they are definitely better than the regular windshields but if you want proper sound deadening than go with soundproof mats. They are capable of delivering much better. The performance when compared to acoustic glass is astronomically superior. If I were in your place I would choose sound deadening mats over sound-dampening windshield any day.