Popping noise from aluminium windows

[norms]

We have recently built a house and have low e glass and large aluminium frame windows. The windows make continuous clicking/popping sound when the sun is out and same in the evening as the temperature cools down.

I understand that this is expansion/ contraction but I have never experienced this before. The house is double brick construction.

Is there anything that can be done to silence this apart from shading the windows.

[pc007]

Thanks @MitchellMc. Weatherstripping or Foam tape will not help as Popping sounds seems to be coming from inside the wall.

I have searched for people but couldn't find anyone who can really understand the issue and provide a fix.

[EricL]

Hi @pc007 

Unfortunately, the sound is travelling through the timber frame of the wall and is acting like a conductor transferring the sound to a point inside your wall. I'm afraid the suggestion of taking the aluminium window apart and increasing the spacing between the window joins will be the only way to compensate for the movement.

If you need further assistance, please let us know.

Eric

[NicoleSy]

Hi @norms, any chance you have a recording of the sound? Having the same issue but cannot pinpoint if it’s coming from the windows! Thanks

[norms]

Sorry I don’t, and my daughter has now sold the house, we have never been able to get to the bottom of it. 

[EricL]

Hi @NicoleSy 

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community. It's fabulous to have you join us.

If it is happening regularly and is caused by the heat of the sun, I suggest looking at the window fixings that get the most sunlight. As the aluminium heats up, it begins to expand causing that popping noise as they push against one another. Another possible cause of the popping noise is your timber framing. If the framing has been built in too tightly against one another, these two frames will expand into each other creating noise.

I propose looking for decibel apps on your phone that can measure noise, you'll be able to measure the level of sound when you are in a certain part of the house. By taking measurements from each room daily, you'll be able to track down where the loudest noise is coming from.

If you have any other questions we can help with, please let us know.

Eric

[NicoleSy]

The noise has been driving me up the wall for close to a year now, and I am getting to a point where we’re going to sell. Thanks for replying!

[EricL]

Hi @norms 

I'm sorry to hear that you never got to repair those popping windows. It is however an interesting thing to learn, you'll now be aware to tell the window specialist to allow space for expansion when you have new windows built and installed.

Eric

[NicoleSy]

Thanks Eric, I’ll do that! I even thought it might be the plumbing where the pipes are loose and cause noise. We’ve had so many trades come in and no one has been able to get to the bottom of it!

[NicoleSy]

Thought I’d add that the sounds seem to come from closer to the ceiling than from the actual windows if that helps at all? Thanks!

[MitchellMc]

Hi @NicoleSy,

Do you hear the noise when operating taps? 

If the noise appears to be coming from the ceiling, it could be from your roof cavity and the timberwork. It's not unusual for the roof structure to creak if the roof cavity is heating up and timbers are rubbing together. We'd really need to hear the noise, at least, to try and determine what could be making it. I know it is hard to describe in text, but is it a creaking, popping or thudding noise?

Mitchell