Your home is supposed to be your personal sanctuary, a place where you can relax and be alone with your thoughts. Unfortunately, thanks to rapid urbanization, this is rarely the case anymore. Old homes located near quiet streets now have noisy cars driving by 24/7.
How can you block outside noise? By installing soundproof or noise reduction replacement windows. To help you find the right windows for your home, here are a few window shopping tips.
Check the Window’s STC
Check a window’s sound transmission coefficient (STC), which gives you an idea of its ability to block sound. The higher the STC, the better.
If a window’s energy-efficient, it’s likely to have a decent STC. That’s because sound travels through the air. By sealing off airflow, you can prevent sound from reaching your interior – to a certain extent.
How Sound Can Reach Your Interior
When sound hits the wall, it sends vibrations right through your walls, making the air inside your home vibrate. As such, you’ll need more than an airtight window to soundproof your home.
What to Look for in a Soundproof Window
Aside from high-quality weatherstripping, a window should have the following:
Laminated glass – The thicker window glass is, the better it can deflect sound vibrations. Laminated glass is composed of many layers, which not only block sound, but also prevent heat from leaking out of your window.
Expanded airspace between glass panes – The space between these glass layers should be filled with gas to improve the window’s insulation and sound-blocking capabilities.
Insulated frames – Sound can easily pass through hollow frames, which is why manufacturers fill vinyl replacement windows with insulation.
Why You Should Only Hire an Experienced Contractor
A soundproof window won’t be able to do much if it’s not installed properly. Remember: sound can travel through the air that’s infiltrating your window through gaps. To make sure your window is installed properly, only hire experienced contractors.
WMGB Home Improvement, a contractor with more than three decades’ worth of experience, offers a wide range of premium windows, including egress window options. For inquiries, you can give us a call at (616) 328-6625, or fill out our form here. We serve homeowners in Kalamazoo and Grand Rapids, MI, as well as the surrounding communities.
