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I lived in NYC for years. People think noisy. Not if you are far up in a high rise. So, when I moved to other cities after so long I was/am hyper sensitive to noise.
A dog or leaf blower (one place I had was next to a dance studio). I wear 32 db ear plugs found at any drug store.
The way to make them work well is to go to youtb & watch people put them in, in a very intense way.
This is why so many don't think they work. They don't get strong enough or put in deep enough.
I have seen so many with their babies at concerts & the ear plugs not inserted properly so it didn't help the baby by 1%.
When I bought a pair that said 30 or 31 it did nothing.
Amazon says they sell a 48 db. I can't imagine something being that much stronger but I may try it one of these days.
White noise in every room.
Or little radios.....A lot of low classical music to calm nerves.
I have to wear earplugs PLUS the white noise machine just to sleep every night.
The laminated windows I've been quoted are impact windows. I've gotten two quotes. One of them gave a better price, but it's frustratingly difficult getting in direct touch with the salesman/estimator. The people who actually return calls and communicate always seem to have the highest prices and the least to offer. I will have to post in my local forum for some recommendations.
The inserts are like storm windows that are put inside, and I'm leaning that direction.
If I thought I'd find a suitable place to move to in the next couple years, I'd likely just get the inserts and skip replacements. If I thought I was going to be stuck here another 5+ years with continued demand run amok, I'd get full replacements, but I'd want to be sure I had the best people on that job.
I have to wear earplugs PLUS the white noise machine just to sleep every night.
The laminated windows I've been quoted are impact windows. I've gotten two quotes. One of them gave a better price, but it's frustratingly difficult getting in direct touch with the salesman/estimator. The people who actually return calls and communicate always seem to have the highest prices and the least to offer. I will have to post in my local forum for some recommendations.
The inserts are like storm windows that are put inside, and I'm leaning that direction.
If I thought I'd find a suitable place to move to in the next couple years, I'd likely just get the inserts and skip replacements. If I thought I was going to be stuck here another 5+ years with continued demand run amok, I'd get full replacements, but I'd want to be sure I had the best people on that job.
I had some very good results when I installed storm windows in a home years ago.
You buy them off the shelf and install them on the outside of the home. You can do easily it yourself, or hire someone with minimal skills.
Here's an example:
I recently got Indow inserts (the Acoustic Commercial Grade) to add to my existing dual-pane vinyl windows, and here's my experience so far:
- they do great at muffling/reducing lower frequency sounds (larger dogs, Harley type motorcycles)
- higher frequency sounds (smaller dogs, rice-rocket type motorcycles) are still moderated somewhat, but nowhere as much as lower frequency sounds
- the greater the depth of your windowsills, the better the results you'll have (more air space = more sound reduction)
Overall - it was worth it to me. I can completely ignore the lower frequency sound sources now, and the higher frequency sound sources are quieter than they used to be (although still noticeable)
The inserts I was looking at are just a competitor to the Indow inserts where a local dealer can measure can measure and install. They showed higher STC ratings and their pricing was about the same, maybe a few pennies lower. https://sunandsoundwindows.com/
I always read about mixed results regardless of the solution. Even buying a new house, you don't always know what you're going to end up living with long-term, and there are people who have it much worse and don't seem to care. Those 55+ communities that don't have fenced yards would be a good option. Unfortunately, I have a ways to go before I qualify.
It really is too bad there are no acoustical experts for residential properties.
I recently got Indow inserts (the Acoustic Commercial Grade) to add to my existing dual-pane vinyl windows, and here's my experience so far:
- they do great at muffling/reducing lower frequency sounds (larger dogs, Harley type motorcycles)
- higher frequency sounds (smaller dogs, rice-rocket type motorcycles) are still moderated somewhat, but nowhere as much as lower frequency sounds
- the greater the depth of your windowsills, the better the results you'll have (more air space = more sound reduction)
Overall - it was worth it to me. I can completely ignore the lower frequency sound sources now, and the higher frequency sound sources are quieter than they used to be (although still noticeable)
I just had replacement windows installed. My old ones were 26 year old wood windows. I was shocked at how quiet my house is now. I love it.
ChessieMom, what kind did you get? Vinyl and laminated?
Leonard, I truly sympathize. I use earplugs and white noise, too.
When I was shopping for replacement windows (I still haven't made a decision!)
I was told that dissimilar glass is actually effective at sound reduction.
Others told me triple panes aren't necessarily quieter than double panes.
Generally, casements are quieter than sliders.
Going by the manufacturer's STCs was very helpful to me. Good luck!
Question for people who report significant noise reduction after window replacement - can you share what type of windows you had before, and what type did you replace them with?
I live few miles from the airport, and plane noise was driving me nuts. As a last resort, before selling the home, I replaced old, builder-grade double pane windows with those:
Double pane, argon gas, 3/4" insulated glass, etc. It did help significantly, but I still hear the traffic, and I feel like... I was expecting more? I would say it reduced noise from 8/10 (loud) to 5/10 (medium). Wondering if I made a mistake, are there any better window types possible? It wasn't cheap, I paid $9200 for 9 windows on upper floor, done by a good company.
Probably will do some research on those window inserts as well. The noises that still bother me are low-frequency, like lawn mower.
Probably will do some research on those window inserts as well. The noises that still bother me are low-frequency, like lawn mower.
Bathroom exhaust fans drive me crazy. Probably the worst noise ever.
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