Sound reducing residential windows

Glass is an excellent conductor, so single-pane windows do almost nothing to reduce unwanted noise. Double-glazed windows are better at reducing noise pollution. Many of our customers comment how much quieter it is in their home, once they install our standard double pane windows. Sound Shield windows are some of the best windows for noise reduction because of the following:. Thompson Creek brand noise-reducing Sound Shield windows are made of high-quality vinyl and sound-dampening glass for an enduring finish.

Sound Shield soundproof windows for homes come in the following premium styles:. STC indicates how well an interior wall, exterior wall, door, window, or floor blocks noise. Most single-pane windows have an STC rating of between 18 and 20, and most standard double-glazed windows have an STC rating of between 24 and STC ratings for sound-reducing windows begin at about At the lower end of the STC scale, voices and high-pitched noises are less audible; at the higher end, plane engines, traffic, trains, and other low-frequency noises diminish.

Outdoor-Indoor Transmission Class OITC is a newer ratings system designed specifically to measure how well exterior walls, doors, and windows block lower-frequency outside noises. Standard Thompson Creek windows have impressive noise-reducing properties. Many customers comment on how much quieter it is in their home, once Thompson Creek windows are installed.

Sound Shield windows use a combination of pane placement and glass composition to maximize noise reduction. Sirens, garbage trucks, overhead tram lines, plane engines, and other loud sounds all cause stress.

Airplane flight path noise, for instance, can reach up to 97 dB. A recent British Medical Journal study found that people who lived near Heathrow Airport in London had a higher incidence of cardiovascular disease. Energy-efficient windows primarily depend upon low-E coatings and gas between thermal panes to reduce heat transfer and increase energy efficiency. Sound-blocking windows, on the other hand, primarily use thicker and laminated glass, and large air gaps between panes to deaden sound.

You can easily make a soundproof window energy-efficient by adding low-E coatings. But you can't easily make an energy-efficient window soundproof without changing its glass and construction. Maybe not.

Perhaps the sound you hate is coming down your chimney or through attic vents. Or maybe leaks around your windows are letting in noise along with cold air. Storyk says everyone who hates noise should consult an acoustical consultant before they throw money at the problem. Related: 9 Secrets for Soundproofing Walls. Skip to content. These magnets will hold your acrylic sheet in place and allow it to be removed in the event that you need to open the window.

This method is more effective than curtains and fiberglass panels and has the advantage of not blocking your view. All of the methods detailed here will help weatherproof and insulate your windows to varying degrees. This means better control of cold air infiltration during the winter and a reduction in heat transfer during the summer. This sunlight reduction will also protect your valuable from sun bleaching. People that are fighting with heavy noise intrusion often assume that the invading sound is penetrating their home through their walls and windows equally.

As a result, they spend time and money soundproofing their walls unnecessarily. The logic seems sound. Windows represent a small portion of the exterior of your home. If sound enters through walls, too, it makes more sense to soundproof these, as you get a bigger bang for your buck. Why waste time on those tiny windows? But this is a mistake. The reason is found in their layered construction. Walls commonly have an exterior wood sheathing covered in a siding material.

These multiple layers of varying materials are effective impediments to and absorbers of exterior noise. Windows, on the other hand, particularly older, single-pane models do very little to block sound. Older windows also tend to suffer from cracks, holes, and gaps around their frames that leak air and noise. If the existing damage is significant enough, you should consider replacing these windows with new vinyl replacement windows. The extra glass layers, and the air gap between them, deflect sound far better than a single pane of glass.

Of course, new, quality replacement windows are an expensive solution, and they usually require professional installation.

If you have the budget, new windows may be all you need to handle your noise problem. If not, read on for less expensive, more DIY-friendly solutions. For highly problematic sounds, window plugs, storm windows, plexiglass sheets, and full replacement windows are your best options. Quieter noise pollution may be fixed with some of the lighter weight solutions.

And you will always benefit from compounding multiple methods. Subscribe for updates on Pella innovations, products and offers. Skip to Content. Windows by Type Casement Buy Learn. Awning Buy Learn. Double-Hung Buy Learn. Single-Hung Buy Learn. Sliding Window Buy Learn.

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