Soundproofing Windows...

Hi guys, Sorry if this post seems repetitive (i’ve seen a few on here), but figured i’d start a new post so i can provide some details specific to my situation.  I live on the parlor level of an old brownstone (so the tallest windows in the building) and i’d like to soundproof the two front windows of my apartment that face a busy cross street and also the BQE.  I don’t know the first thing about doing this so am looking for recommendations and any tips on going through this experience. I’ve heard that CitiQuiet and Citiproof are both good to check out. Are there specific points I should ask/know about when contacting the company? Can i get someone from one of these companies to pay my apartment a visit to better assess the situation? Related, I’m wondering what the best way is to approach this with my landlord. He lives on the level below me and owns the building, and I want to know if it’s kosher for me to ask him to pay for it, or pay for some. I’d like to convince him that it would add to the value of the building overall and save on energy costs (due to also cutting out the cold draft in the winter). Does this sound reasonable?  Thanks for your tips neighbors! M

xianxio

in Architecture 12 years and 7 months ago

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Goatcrapp | 12 years and 6 months ago

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I’ve used citquiet – the result was pretty startling – better than expected.   It went from busy street noises to pin-drop quiet.  Their solution for most brownstone applications is going to be an interior storm window with laminated glass of differing thicknesses. I did have to build out the window sill a bit, in my case, but this isn’t always necessary if you have the needed depth between the front sill and the existing window.  for the tall windows – i was quoted 1200 per window at the time, but obviously this will change based on actual measurements, and amount of work needed.   Re:  your landlord – hows your relationship with him/her?  reasonable improvements and reasonable landlords are a rare combination, but he/she might be willing to shoulder it, or give a reduction of rent across x number of months to reimburse your costs. I usually do the latter…  ie: capitalize the costs over several months reflected in a decrease of rent for permanent improvements that the tenant would like (and i’ve also turned down some requests because, being permanent, but not necessarily improvements, i’d be stuck with it later) – but not necessarily absorbing the entire cost initially (depends on the improvement – if it’s a must have, i take care of it, but with my contractors/vendors… I don’t need someone’s cousin vinny giving me inflated work orders.  If it’s not a must-have, but merely a nice to have, i’ll let the tenant come out of pocket, and reduce the rent for the next months accordingly.  contrary to popular belief, not all landlords are raking in the cash – a lot of these old buildings cost enough to run us into the ground lol. Something like this – i would likely cover if a tenant approached me, but it’s coming form someone who knows the value of a good sound proofing window, and it all depends on your relationship with them.

donnarod | 12 years and 7 months ago

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Hi M! I’ve tried out a couple resources for questions like this. If you want, contact me off forum at donnarodriguez01 at gmail dot com and I can let you know what I’ve used.