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lindalouok

Soundproof Windows

lindalouok
11 years ago

I'd like to know people's experience with soundproof windows and the brands they used. I want to install soundproof windows to keep out the sounds of barking dogs, loud mufflers, and the highway that is 500 feet from my home. I have looked at the Citiquiet and Soundproof Windows sites.

I am looking for actual experience so that I can decide whether to make this huge investment and on what brand or type of window. Please list the brand you have used.

If you wish to speculate about soundproofing, please start another thread, as I am interested only in actual experience. Thanks so much.

Comments (24)

  • EcoStarRemodel
    11 years ago

    Since you are looking for anecdotal experiences, I won't comment. However, you would be well served to understand the science behind sound-proof windows. I would suggest you start by understanding what OITC and STC mean. From there, you can determine the different wavelengths of sound and if the windows you are considering will filter those particular frequencies. Might want to also learn about laminated glass and the effects that .30, .60 and .90 mil have on sound transmissions. Oh, you might also want to learn what installation techniques will result in the lowest sound transmissions.

  • PRO
    Windows on Washington Ltd
    11 years ago

    What are your existing windows like?

    I have used the QuietLine from Milgard with very good results.

    You may also be a candidate for a good interior or exterior storm window.

  • toddinmn
    11 years ago

    Also remember the window is only as good as the wall you are putting it into.

  • SJ2012
    11 years ago

    Hi. I live in San Diego and had Sound Proof Windows.com install a window in my bedroom which is 50 feet from a busy street - 4 months ago.

    Overall, I would say I am happy with them. It does definitely reduce the noise that is coming from the street. It is not 100% quiet or even 90% quiet - I would say these windows reduced my outside noise by 75%. That still was a very welcome reduction. They do a great job of reducing car and bus noise - now they are more "distant" and softer sounding. Much much more manageable. Not like before where they sounded like they were in my living room. The lower sound - bass like sounds are the ones that still get through.

    I dont understand why it is not illegal or against building codes to allow a house near a busy street to be "acceptable" for sale without some type of double pane windows or some type of sound wall built in front. It is remarkably unfair to a unsuspecting home buyer and very unnerving. Unbelievalbe with all the damn building codes we have in California that this is overlooked!

    I went from a very normal person to someone who was very unnerved and angry due to the 24 hour a day car and bus noise.

    SPW customer service was good and the guy Ryan who installed the window was great.

    Overall I am happy. They should though change their name to Sound Reduction Windows and shouldn't say "eliminate your noise problem". That's not true.

    I would suggest to buy them. I think you will be happy with the difference they make. The difference is not 100% quiet but it does make things more manageable. Before, I was very much on edge and simply going into my own home made me very nervous and anxious. I would actually have to sit in my closet to get peace of mind. Unbelievably lame. I made a mistake of buying a townhouse close to a busy street. First time buyer mistake. Wont ever happen again.

    Anyway, I would recommend purchasing from them if you are looking to significantly reduce the street noise.

  • toddinmn
    11 years ago

    I agree we need more laws. I bought a house next to the fire station, sure it was quiet the day I looked at it but who wudda thought those sirens are so loud?

  • WindowDog
    11 years ago

    Hey, that was just mean :) lol. I lived on a busy street once and it was hell getting used to it. After a while I could sleep in with the windows open! But the in between time is nerve racking. Funny :D

  • toddinmn
    11 years ago

    I now have to play recordings of sirens so I can go to sleep.

  • WindowDog
    11 years ago

    LOL! Now that's funny no matter who you are :)

  • SJ2012
    11 years ago

    Bump...

    Anybody else have experience with Sound Proof Windows??

  • millworkman
    11 years ago

    Why do you work for them?

  • GulfBreezeWindows
    11 years ago

    Sound Proof Windows, is a storm window with laminated glass.

    Will they help? Yes.
    Can you get them some were else? Yes.
    Do they fib and say new windows won't help? Yes

    Decide what you need first. New windows with sound glass or impact glass will do they same as interior sound windows, but you get new windows and don't have to open 2 layers of windows to get to the outside.

    If you windows are good and you don't want to replace them, then interior or exterior storms with laminated glass will be the answer.

    Good Luck.

  • PRO
    Windows on Washington Ltd
    11 years ago

    Great post Andrew.

    Dead right on all accounts.

  • SJ2012
    11 years ago

    Millworkman,

    No, I dont work for them. Simply looking to get feed back.

  • DanEdwards
    11 years ago

    I live in Central California. I purchased two windows from Sound Proof Windows. They HELP - but I agree with above - they DO NOT eliminate your noise problem.

    That is what it says when you google their site "Sound Proof Windows - Eliminate your noise problem".

    100% NOT TRUE.

  • toddinmn
    11 years ago

    Storms can be better due to the air space between the windows.

  • WindowDog
    11 years ago

    Any double pane or triple pane window will eliminate most outside noise unless there is a train crossing on your block.

  • toddinmn
    11 years ago

    Most noise other than a train is pretty vague.If you have storms you may reduce your STC rating by replacing the window.

  • WindowDog
    11 years ago

    There is not a lot of vague between most noise and a train crossing. The reference is from a customer I talked to that complained that their windows weren't very quiet. I asked them what they could hear through the windows, and it was the train crossing 1 block away. Other than that, they could hear nothing through them.

    So since a double or triple pane window is effective with blocking sound, I'm not sure what the difference is with the "sound proof windows" company, when people say they are not completely sound proof either. I would suggest that someone wanting to block the sound of traffic on their street would benefit from a triple pane vinyl window, very much so.

  • PRO
    Windows on Washington Ltd
    11 years ago

    Depends on the level of noise and customer sensitivity to it.

    Triple pane has not impact on sound attenuation in this case and can often times have a lesser STC than good double pane.

    Best bang for the buck in a replacement window is going to be laminated glass.

  • toddinmn
    11 years ago

    I guess if you're going to only reference one customer I'm sure you're right.
    They could only here the train 1 block away and nothing else? That is the best one I heard today. I think traffic noise would be between a train and vague?

  • WindowDog
    11 years ago

    toddinmn, i'm not sure what your point is. I'm quite aware that double and triple pane windows drastically reduce sound. In fact, many many times that's the first thing out of a customer's mouth, "I can't believe how quiet these windows are!". I have heard one (1) complaint about noise transmittance in over 35 yrs in the window business, and it was a customer than lived next to the train crossing. I concede that high traffic is noisy at varying degrees... but your point is what? That my contribution to this discussion is stupid? Or what? MOST noise will be drastically reduced or eliminated with double or triple pain windows, unless you live next to a train crossing. Train whistles are insanely loud. Again, what is your point in arguing with me over something so obvious? I do not have an argument to make, only experience to share. Please stick to stating your own opinions to the OP, and don't troll the thread.

  • toddinmn
    11 years ago

    My point is your posts could be very misleading.

  • PRO
    Windows on Washington Ltd
    11 years ago

    Most customers will note a decrease in sound with new replacement windows. This very impression was voiced to me last night.

    This is due in large part to the heavier thickness glass in most replacement windows and the often overlooked air tightness improvements with the new windows (sound is carried on air).

    Be careful with the idea that all replacement windows will reduce sound as a standard. I have personally dealt with a situation where the customer had complaints about noise living very close to a major road and had a single pane/storm window combination.

    In a majority of cases, a new replacement window will be an improvement, however, what was unknown to the salesperson in this case is that the storm window here was a very heavy gauge thickness and that original combination provided a better overall STC than the new windows did.

    If the customer is concerned, the best upgrade in a standard replacement window is laminated glass.

    As mentioned previously, triple pane provides no advantage (often lessened performance vs. good double pane) over double pane windows.