There are all sorts of exterior noises that can get through your windows and disrupt your peace. Whether you live in an urban area and have to deal with constant traffic or you live in a suburb and have children screaming as they play outside or you live somewhere more rural with roosters who don’t care about when you set your alarm to, many of us are looking for ways to reduce the noise that gets into our homes. If you’re wondering if new windows help reduce noise, they generally can, but there are some factors you’ll want to take into consideration.
Can Windows Help Reduce Noise?
Noise travels through the air and through materials, so yes, windows help reduce noise. While there’s no such thing as a soundproofing window, there are windows that are better at noise reduction than others.
In order to have windows help reduce noise, they need to have enough insulation in order to dampen exterior noises. Windows are generally measured by Sound Transmission Class (STC). Depending on how many panes the window has, the type of framing used, the thickness of the glass, how air space is used, and more, the STC rating can vary.
STC ratings typically range from 18 to 38. In general, single-pane windows have an STC of about 21, double-pane windows have an STC of about 26, and triple-pane windows have an STC of about 31. These can vary, but if you’re trying to decide between two different windows and there’s only a 1 point difference in the STC, that isn’t big enough for the human ear to tell a difference, so you should select the one you like the best.
Some windows have higher STC ratings, and the price reflects that. These are known as soundproof windows, with ratings between the 40s and the 50s. They can block up to 95% of noise that can get through your windows.
How Can Windows Help Reduce Noise?
Windows help reduce noise through the quality and thickness of the glass, the thickness between the panels, whether they have laminated layers, the quality of the weatherstripping, and whether they were installed properly. You want your windows to be able to slow how soundwaves transfer, which will result in a quieter home. This is why windows that are double- or triple-paned are better for noise reduction than single-pane windows, as they dampen the sounds more effectively and lessen how much noise is able to travel through the window.
Considerations For Noise Reduction
Many people see the STC ratings of windows and assume that in order to have windows help reduce noise in their home, they need to go as high as possible. To some extent, this is true, but you also want to bear in mind the fact that there are other factors besides your windows that impact how much exterior noise gets into your house. For instance, your siding impacts noise insulation too. You don’t want to waste money on windows that are better at noise reduction than the rest of your home is. This is why most windows have the STC ratings that they do – to match that of your walls.
If you have a home made of brick or stone, you will want windows with STC ratings to match the higher noise reduction abilities of these walls. You will typically not want to go any less than 10 points less than the STC rating of your home’s walls.
It’s also important to ensure that you work with experienced professionals to have your windows installed. Windows help reduce noise, certainly, but not if they are improperly installed, inaccurately measured, are low quality, or have inadequate insulation or caulking. The frame matters for whether windows help reduce noise too, as different materials are better at dampening sound than others. For instance, metal isn’t very good at noise reduction, but wood and vinyl can help improve the noise reduction of your windows.
How To Reduce Noise In Your Home
Noise pollution is a real problem and can impact your health. If your current windows aren’t very good at noise reduction and you can’t afford to have new ones installed just yet, there are some additional ways to reduce the amount of noise that gets into your home. These include:
- Adding fabric to your rooms. Fabric dampens sound, so hanging up curtains, putting down rugs, and using furniture covered in fabric brings you some more peace.
- Use plants. Plants can absorb sound, so if you have a green thumb, you may consider adding some plants throughout your home.
- Insulate. Insulating your walls, doors, and the like can also help to dampen exterior sound.
- Use an acoustic caulk. Acoustic caulks, also known as acoustic sealants, used around your windows reduce the noise that gets through them.
These are but a few ways to reduce noise in your home. If you want to have windows help reduce noise in your home, Peak Windows can help with our high quality windows. Contact us today to learn more about our windows and the services we offer.