A Soundproof Window is a second window placed behind your existing window that opens and closes just like your current one – there is no need to remove or replace your window to eliminate noise problems!
Soundproof glass works by creating a near-impenetrable barrier between the sound and your ears. It takes on the mechanical energy of the sound wave and captures it. Such material can block between 90 to 95% of most sounds, with only a few frequencies as an exception.
Yes! Soundproof Windows significantly reduce sound, regardless of what your current window design is. For a look at how Soundproof Windows work with your existing windows to stop noise, please see our Noise Reduction Comparison page.
Single-pane windows have the least amount of materials to slow sound waves, so they allow the most noise into your home. Dual-pane windows, also called double-pane windows, help to reduce some noise. Triple-pane glass is the best option for reducing the most noise.
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.
Double glazed windows are designed to reduce outside noise. If excessive noise is penetrating your home, it's likely that a part of your windows has failed. This could be a problem with the window frame, the seal between the frame and the glass or the frame and the building, or a problem with the glass itself.
One of the easiest DIY solutions for soundproofing home windows is to apply a self-adhesive foam tape. Similar to using the acoustic caulk where your window meets the wall, with foam tape you can cover the openings around your window frame.
You can get virtually ALL the benefits of replacing your windows PLUS reduce noise levels by 300% more than replacement windows AND avoid the headaches of double pane windows — for about the same price!
Not only is acoustic glass ideal for noise reduction, but it also increases the strength of your glass, making it much more secure than your standard glass.
The thicker the glass, the better its noise reduction properties. However, glass has a natural coincidence frequency (the pitch at which it will amplify the sound) which is why double glazing is a better option, with two differing thicknesses of glass.
Switching to double-pane windows — two pieces of glass with some air space between them — will almost certainly block more noise.
Sound Proof
Not only can glass blocks offer privacy and safety, they can also provide a sound barrier to make your home a quiet, calm, and relaxing environment. In fact, some glass blocks are the preferred building material for noisy environments, including manufacturing facilities, nightclubs, etc.)
Since the panes don't make direct contact with each other, the soundwaves become dampened, which makes your home much quieter inside. In fact, double glazed windows are capable of reducing sound levels by as much as 31 decibels. Nevertheless, they won't be completely soundproof.
To prevent road noise from entering your home, choose a fence or wall that is solid from top to bottom. Also, be sure to install the fence or wall so that it is flush with the ground. Drown Out Road Noise with a Fountain.
Yes, soundproof curtains are effective. They will not give you complete isolation, as this requires re-construction of the room, but will dampen the noise and reverberations in the room. If you want to go one step further, you can consider installing soundproof windows.
If your new windows are of good quality, however, poor installation may be the problem. Noise enters from around a window, not just through the glass. Poorly measured windows may create gaps. Also, the amount of caulking or foam insulation a contractor places around the window will affect the level of sound blockage.
With windows, sound is typically “leaking” through gaps in the frame or the glass itself. Caulking – The easiest and cheapest solution. If your windows are a few years old, it's likely some of the caulking may have dried up. Replace the caulking seals around your windows and see if the sound problem gets better.
Higher sound levels will be more common in areas where the wind typically blows from a highway toward a community (downwind) than the opposite direction (upwind). You may also notice that sound levels are lower during the day than at night even though there may be more traffic during the day.
When compared to standard double glazing, triple glazing can reduce noise by simply placing another barrier in the way of the noise. However, as standard triple glazing is not designed to combat noise, it can actually make things worse. You see, two air gaps can create resonance and echo chambers.