Noisy Neighbors? Soundproof Windows Will Help You Keep the Peace

When you bought your home, you probably had a checklist of negatives to watch out for in the neighborhood—maybe low-performing schools, overgrown yards, and the presence or absence of community parks. You may have first toured your home on a hot, quiet afternoon when the streets and sidewalks were deserted. Everything looked great—until you signed the sales contract and moved in. Then you discovered that the neighborhood you thought was peaceful morphs into a raucous party spot at night—often lasting into the wee hours of the morning. So long, sleep! Or maybe you’ve lived in your home for a long time, but there have been some unwanted changes—like the local government built a highway overpass a stone’s throw from your home. Or, worse, an airport.

For whatever reason, a move isn’t in the cards. You can’t reduce the amount of noise that’s spoiling your residential sanctuary, so the solution is to keep it outside. Soundproofing your windows is a great place to start.

Can I Make My Windows Soundproof by Myself?

If you’re reluctant to purchase new windows immediately, you may be looking for do-it-yourself solutions to create a sound-eliminating barrier at your home. While it’s not possible to totally soundproof your windows, there are various ways to dampen the sound that penetrates your windows. Here’s a brief look at a few of your options:

Sealing Your Windows with Caulk

Sound can enter your home if air enters through breaches in the window seals or gaps between the window frames and the walls. Acoustic caulk is a type of sealant intended specifically for soundproofing ceilings, windows, and doors. However, this type of solution is time-consuming and difficult to implement. It may even need to be reapplied on a regular basis to remain effective.

Noise-Reducing Window Treatments

Cellular blinds and thick-fabric drapes can absorb up to 70% of the sound that enters your windows. Unfortunately, this strategy is only effective if your windows are covered, and many homeowners may not want to sit in a gloomy room merely to enjoy some peace and quiet.

Window Inserts

Soundproofing window inserts are laminated sheets of glass that are fitted inside your home over your existing windows. They are intended to be installed a few inches in front of the glass in a window frame. However, efficient window inserts generally cost hundreds of dollars each, may not fit certain window styles, and are inconvenient for homeowners who wish to open and close their windows on a regular basis.

Invest in Noise Reduction Windows for Your Home

If you’re like many homeowners, replacing your windows is the most effective way to reduce outside noise intrusion. While no window is entirely soundproof, replacing your standard windows with impact-resistant ones is an excellent way to solve the problem of noise entering your home through your windows. Impact windows, while designed to protect homes from storm damage, can also block up to 65% of the outside noise that enters a home through window glass.

How Do Sound-Reducing Windows Work?

Unlike light waves, which are bounced off solid surfaces, sound waves may flow through many materials almost as easily as air. Extra-thick glass can be used to build a sound-dampening window, which reduces sound vibration (or resonance) and thus makes it less audible to the human ear. Another method for reducing noise transmission is to build windows with two panes of glass and a layer of insulating air between them. This design slows down the sound waves, making them appear quieter. A better technique to create a nearly soundproof window is to employ laminated glass, which is made up of two panes of glass baked together with a thick vinyl interlayer.

Turn to NewSouth Window Solutions for Noise-Reducing Windows

NewSouth Window Solutions manufactures high-quality impact-resistant windows based on extensive science and research. For energy efficiency, our impact windows are made with reinforced uPVC vinyl frames and laminated glass, as well as an additional sheet of low-emissivity (low-E) glass. This results in extra-strong, triple-pane glass that not only provides exceptional storm protection but also acts as a superb sound barrier. Furthermore, because of our innovative frame construction procedures and superior window installation practices, you won’t need to caulk your window seals to keep sound, air, and moisture out of your home.

Contact Us Today!

If you’re interested in having noise-reduction windows installed at your home, contact NewSouth Window Solutions today to learn more about our remarkable impact windows.