Does Draught Proofing Sash Windows Reduce Noise? Case Study: Ella's Story in Cheltenham, Sydney
How Ella Cut Noise and Heat Loss in Her Cheltenham Sash Windows — Without Replacing the Glass
In June 2024, Ella — a resident of Cheltenham, Sydney, living near a busy road — was dealing with constant traffic noise, black dust infiltrating through her sash windows, and mould growth in one room. Rather than replace her original timber windows, she had all seven draught-proofed with Ecobead. The results were measurable, and six months on, they've held up.
The problem: noise, dust and mould
Ella's home, though charming with its original sash windows, was experiencing a range of issues affecting both her comfort and the condition of the house.
Noise pollution
Located near a busy road, Ella's home was frequently exposed to traffic noise — a source of real discomfort, especially during quieter parts of the day when it felt even more intrusive.
Dust infiltration
Sash windows are designed with gaps to allow for movement, but this also let external elements like black dust into the home — accumulating over time, especially in rooms nearest the road.
Black mould
In one room, black mould had developed, traced back to gaps in the sash windows — the draughts and condensation they created were the ideal environment for mould growth.
The solution: draught-proofing with Ecobead
Ella decided to address these issues by draught-proofing her windows, aiming primarily to reduce noise. She engaged MST Window Repairs, a specialist sash window service, to carry out a full sash window service. Matt, the owner of MST, used Ecobead as the material for the draught seal — widely regarded as the gold standard for retrofitting draught seals in sash windows, thanks to the effectiveness of its brush seals fitting tightly into the gaps for superior insulation. Crucially, the brush seals have a central plastic fin running through the middle — it's this fin that actually forms the seal against the sash.
The results: a measurable improvement
Before the installation, Ella measured sound levels and temperature in different parts of her home at various times of day, using a decibel meter to track noise and recording temperature variation in the rooms with sash windows. After the work was done, she repeated the same measurements.
The draught-proofing also resolved the dust problem entirely — with the gaps sealed, no more dust could pass through the windows — and the black mould disappeared, likely due to reduced condensation and improved insulation.
"The home is quieter, more comfortable, and healthier. The black dust is gone, the mould has disappeared, and the temperature inside is more stable."
— Ella, six months after installation
Ella was impressed enough with the results that she recommended the service to her neighbours — one of whom booked an appointment shortly after seeing the difference in her home.
DIY it, or bring in an expert?
Ecobead is genuinely DIY-friendly — our step-by-step guides walk you through measuring up, removing the beading, and fitting it yourself, and most homeowners with basic tools can do the job successfully over a weekend. But if you're not confident tackling it yourself, or you'd simply rather have it done properly by someone with experience, that's exactly where MST Window Repairs comes in.
Want draught-proofing done for you?
MST Window Repairs operate right across Sydney, with over 25 years of experience specifically draught-proofing sash windows. Results like Ella's are exactly why they're in such high demand — book early if you're thinking about it.
Get a Quote from MST Window RepairsPrefer to do it yourself?
Ella's results — a 67% reduction in heat loss and a 20% drop in noise — were achieved with the original glass and timber frames still in place. Shop the same Ecobead system and fit it yourself.
