New Windows for Noise Reduction?

I have old single-paned glass windows, plus aluminum storm windows, and am thinking of replacing them to improve both insulation and noise reduction (as well as to make it possible to clean them.) Has anyone replaced their old single-paned windows plus storms with new double-paned wood windows (I live in a landmark district so has to be wood) and did it significantly reduce street noise? Any recommendations for best windows to reduce noise? Window replacement is so expensive that I’m on the fence about whether it’s worth it. Would appreciate any advice!

deviatar

in Doors & Windows 13 years and 2 months ago

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hermanweaver | 12 years ago

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We recently installed interior storms from Indow Windows on our old single pane windows with great results. The noise has been reduced considerably and the inserts are real easy to install. They also did not require any permission in our landmark building. We used their acoustic grade, which has a thicker acrylic pane than their regular insert.

Goatcrapp | 13 years and 2 months ago

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Just went through this on my street level (facing the avenue) .  Typical new double pane windows offered very little improvement over my old single panes (granted, these were in excellent condition, shimmed properly, and with sealed frames/sashes – so it wasn’t the usual rattly rickety old window story – but still)) – did help with the thermal loss however.   Unless you can fit a *thick*  window with a lot of dead air between the panes – the physics of sound simply won’t let them offer much soud abatement – regardless of how thick or laminated they are.   When my double pane windows with differing thickness panes, and laminated (the recommended setup for sound abatement) didn’t work as well as I needed them too – i had some interior storm windows installed.   Oh sweet silence! 3″ of dead air and I’m happy. As was stated – interior storms don’t need any sort of approval.

wyckoff | 13 years and 2 months ago

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The question is – will landmarks allow you to replace the existing storms with something that’s better?  A lot of old storms are pretty marginal, but a good set will do much more to block noise than a double hung.  If you need to replace your existing setup with double hung, get sound reducing glass.  I have Marvins with sound reducing glass and think they work great, but they won’t outperform a good system with a storm.

concernedcitizen | 13 years and 2 months ago

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A properly glazed, well fitting double hung with a good storm window should be just as quiet as the typical new windows.

callalily | 13 years and 2 months ago

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FWIW, I knew someone with an apartment right on 57th St. and it was quiet as could be because he had two full sets of regular windows installed right on top of each other. That’s what people use for sound installation — not extra panes in a single window.

callalily | 13 years and 2 months ago

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Yes, I am wondering the same thing. I would think properly caulked windows plus a storm window would be much more effective at dampening sound than a double-paned window. Deboerarchitec, how do you install the replacement windows so the sashes fit into the walls like the original windows and don’t block the light? All the replacement windows I have seen have these awful frames within frames, even the expensive Marvin, Pella, etc. Unfortunately, we have replacement windows. They are completely useless and we have to replace them.

BobMarvin | 13 years and 2 months ago

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Good double (or triple) paned windows are surely better than single-paned ones alone, but are they REALLY all that much more effective than reasonably tight-fitting wooden windows PLUS aluminun storms?

jockdeboeraia | 13 years and 2 months ago

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It is well worth it as you will be amazed at the difference between what you have and a quality window.  Andersen is what I like, but Pella, Marvin, etc.