How to Soundproof Noisy Windows so You Can Get a Good Night’s Sleep
I recently moved to a new apartment on the street that serves as a commercial trucking artery in my Brooklyn area. I am especially sensitive to noise pollution, and this constant cacophony is caused not only by the rumble of large drilling rigs: every aspect of city life seems to enter my bedroom . It’s as if my neighbors, the garbage trucks, the techno blower from his Hyundai, and the construction crews conspired to take the rest of my daily life out of me.
Luckily, my landlord promised to install new soundproofed windows to dampen the constant noise. But if you don’t have a one-stop solution at your disposal, there are ways to soundproof your windows to absorb unnecessary street noise. Here’s what you need to know about how it happened.
Not all windows are the same
Those familiar with home improvement already know this, but here’s a gem of wisdom for newbies: if your home is particularly noisy, your windows might be rubbish. Cheaper single-glazed windows are less likely to block out the same noise as double-glazed windows. In addition, double-glazed windows are usually further insulated with argon gas injected between each glass. The chemical is used for thermal insulation, allowing the temperature of the glass to be at the same temperature as the room. This dual temperature control and noise cancellation is surely what you need in a window.
A similar difference between laminated glass and tempered glass, as explained by the soundproofing gurus at Soundproof Cow :
Manufacturers design laminated glass based on its sound insulation properties. If you find that your home or office is suffering from unwanted vibrations and sounds coming through your windows, laminated glass will provide you with the soundproofing properties you need. This is because laminated glass consists of an additional protective plastic layer that provides an additional barrier between the two outer glass sheets.
On the other hand, toughened glass does not provide sufficient sound insulation control. This shape of glass is created with strength in mind, as the strong and durable outer layers provide resilient glass that withstands stress and force with high strength. However, tempered glass does not provide excellent sound insulation performance.
Soundproofed windows are great but expensive
If you’re looking for something that looks like a silver bullet, soundproofed windows are your choice. Most soundproofed windows suppress 90 to 95% of street noise, which is supposedly enough to satisfy even the most annoying of us.
There are economic hurdles, however, as most soundproofed windows will cost over $ 1000 and up to purchase and install. The installation of any window will depend on the size and characteristics of your living space, but this guide from HouseLogic can help you figure out if a complete soundproofed window is right for you.
There are noise-absorbing curtains.
Probably the next best thing you can get without much hassle is noise dampening curtains. You don’t need a deep understanding of physics to know that the higher density of the material probably means that it absorbs sound better. However, unlike soundproofed windows, noise canceling curtains won’t cost you four-figure costs. There are many options on the market as well, so it shouldn’t be hard to find a kit that you think might work.
You can add window inserts
Another option is to place the window insert in front of more porous windows. These are custom glass panels that simply slide right over an existing window frame and are used for temperature control and noise control. They have been proven to work, although not as efficiently as a direct noise canceling window, and there are companies out there.
Find and close any gaps
Your windows may not be completely flush with the window frame, which allows the gaps between the pieces of glass to allow excess noise to pass through. For example, my current windows are not properly sealed . If you don’t use a sealant – the adhesive used to seal gaps in a structure – to seal gaps, you can try filling any cracks you suspect is causing the leak noise with foam rubber.
It’s not exactly an aesthetic asset, but there’s a reason foam is one of the most commonly used tools in soundproof recording studios: it’s highly absorbent.
Furniture works too
Windows doesn’t have to be the sole target of your quest to drown out the noise. Bookshelves, sofas, carpets, and kitchen tables all do their job to keep the deafening rumble from spreading through your living room.
Good luck, and maybe invest in earplugs or a white noise machine when you sleep. Check out our other articles on how to turn your bedroom into a completely quiet bedroom if needed .
This article was originally published in November 2020 and has been updated on April 5, 2021 to reflect the current Lifehacker style guidelines.