Sound pollution, just like light and information pollution, has become a part of our lives. Too much noise is especially irritating after a day of work, so we’ve noticed that soundproofing and noise reduction is a frequent request among the residential window repair customer inquiries. You may have perfectly good windows in place. They may be fairly recently installed and belong to any of the existing types – casement, sliding, double hung, even fixed windows. Sounds may, however, still penetrate the windows, unless there’s additional work done on them. Whether barking dogs, neighbors’ persistent lawnmower, traffic noises, school grounds across the street or a popular pub on the first floor, there are times when you just don’t want to hear it!
Noise reduction insulation for windows may be implemented in different ways, some as a DIY project, others requiring professional skills. Let’s see what can be done.
DIY options
Air gaps need to be located and sealed off
Double-sided insulation tape should be applied to the areas around the moving parts
Heavy-duty blackout curtains block light and sounds
Exterior storm windows also block some of the noise
Professional soundproofing
Secondary window installation is a job that requires professional skills and tools. There are pros and cons to soundproof windows, so let’s discuss them in more detail.
Pros
- Superior noise reduction (75-95%)
- Excellent insulation
- Stops condensation
- Improves property value (if noise problem is alleviated)
- Reduces draftiness
- Blocks most of UV light
Cons
- High cost – close to replacing entire windows in some cases, while the noise reduction properties are not likely to exceed 20%
A 75% reduction in noise is usually sufficient, but if the level of the noise is truly extreme, or the customer is especially sensitive, there’s the option of studio quality window installation, which reduce noise beyond 95%.
In any case, whether you require noise reduction insulation for windows in Chicago or need someone to simply repair glass, you can count on us to come in and fix whatever is broken – if it’s window-related.
