Can a curtain wall system improve acoustic performance in busy urban areas?

Yes—when specified and detailed properly, metal and glass curtain wall systems can significantly improve acoustic performance for buildings situated in noisy urban contexts like Cairo, Beirut or Doha. Acoustic performance relies on glazing composition, frame airtightness, and the isolation of vibration paths. Laminated glass with interlayers (PVB or acoustic PVB) provides dampening of sound waves, reducing airborne noise levels; pairing laminated glass with thick outer and inner lite combinations in an insulated glazing unit (IGU) increases the transmission loss. Larger cavity widths and staggered glazing thicknesses break resonance frequencies, further improving sound insulation. The curtain wall’s perimeter seals and gaskets must be continuous and properly compressed to avoid flanking paths for sound; factory-assembled unitized systems often deliver superior airtightness compared with site-assembled alternatives. Spandrel and opaque panel zones can incorporate mass-loaded insulation and resilient decoupling to block low-frequency urban noise from mechanical systems or traffic. For buildings facing airports, highways or busy souks, operable windows—if required—are designed as acoustically rated units with secondary seals or acoustic vents to preserve performance while enabling ventilation. With integrated acoustic engineering, curtain wall systems provide effective noise control while preserving daylight and views for occupants in Middle East urban environments.