Many homes are located in noisy areas. You might live near a busy road or an airport—or you might just have neighbors that like to mow their lawn at 6AM on Saturday.
Noise pollution—or unwanted and excessive sound—is a problem for many homeowners. Not only is noise pollution annoying, it’s also unhealthy! Noise pollution can cause headaches, disrupt sleep, and lead to conditions like chronic stress, high blood pressure, and even heart disease. It’s no wonder that homeowners want to get rid of noise pollution in their home.
But what can you do? Can new windows reduce noise pollution? The answer to that question is “yes”! Keep reading to learn how upgrading your windows can result in a quieter, more peaceful home for you and your family.
How Your Windows Affect Your Home’s Noise Level
This might be surprising, but your windows have a huge impact on your home’s noise level. That’s because windows don’t just let in light; they can also let in sound through the glass and around the window sash.
How can you tell if your windows are the problem?
If your windows are older, low-quality, poorly installed, or single-pane, they’re almost certainly letting in a lot of excess noise.
Windows that are older, low-quality, or poorly installed are likely to have cracks, gaps, and holes around the outside. Sound enters through these gaps unobstructed, leading to noise pollution. Single-pane windows also let in lots of noise, as there is only one layer of glass for the sound to travel through.
It’s often pretty obvious when your windows are a problem. Standing near the windows, you’ll often hear lots of noise—not to mention feel drafty air and see condensation.
How Do New Windows Reduce Noise Pollution?
Window technology has come a long way, and today’s windows are much better at reducing noise.
Double- and triple-pane windows insulate much better than single-pane windows. These windows have multiple panes of glass with an insulating layer of gas between each pane. The additional panes, along with the gas, prevent sound from coming through more effectively.
In addition, there are now window glazes available on the market to further reduce sound. Acoustic glass is specifically designed to minimize noise, which makes it an attractive choice for homeowners who live in very noisy areas.
To determine how much a new window will reduce noise, look for its sound transmission class (STC) and outdoor-indoor transmission class (OITC) ratings. The higher the ratings, the better the window is at blocking noise.
How Can You Soundproof Your Home?
The best way you can reduce noise pollution in your home is with new windows—preferably double- or triple-pane windows with high STC and OITC ratings.
However, if new windows aren’t an option at the moment, there are a few other ways that you can reduce unwanted noise even further. Consider installing heavy curtains, checking the condition of weatherstripping, and filling gaps with acoustic caulk.
If your home is historic and you want to keep its original windows, consider installing storm windows. (Storm windows will help increase insulation and reduce noise while preserving your original windows.)
Interested in New Windows?
If you need help choosing noise-reducing new windows or storm windows for your home, we’re here to help. We’d be happy to talk you through your options and help you make the best decision.
Call Jack’s Glass to talk to a window expert today!
Our local, family-owned and -operated business has been helping Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky homeowners with their commercial glass, auto glass, glass shower and window needs for nearly 80 years. Contact us today at our Elsmere, or Covington, locations.
