Street noise soundproofing

Red Squirrel

The double pane windows will probably do a big difference.

Also, how well insulated are the walls? Even non acoustic insulation tends to be half decent at sound proofing.

Also adding weather stripping around the door may help a bit. Another thing do you have a wood stove or fireplace? Flues tend to capture sound very well. When I go in my basement I can hear the sound of kids from the school near my house due to the hot water flue going to the roof.

Ted White

Without disparaging any one company out there, I would strongly encourage you to have another look at the original window company you referenced...

SM05

Red Squirrel, yep, same setup here as well. Front door weather stripping is really problematic to say the least. Q-lon gasket has been recommended but I'm not quite sure what that is or where I'd find one locally. Need to look more into that.

Ted, you skeptical of whether Mon-Ray can deliver or have some experiences with that? The only reason I haven't pulled the plug yet is because of the front door. Need to get get that figured out otherwise the net effect will be marginal imho.

Ted White

I had the opportunity to share a trade show booth with Soundproof Windows (the company) once. I have a long building material and window background dating back to the early 80s. Their windows are impressive and lab data comprehensive in scope.

For example, while most window manufacturers offer STC figures for acoustic performance, it's oftem the data of the glass only, not the window frame. Pretty large omission and completely misleading.

SM05

Thanks, an interesting (and logical) point. Looks like Mon-Ray uses aluminum frame made out of supposedly stronger T6 aluminum. Soundproofwindows advocate using aluminum frame whenever possible and their own test show that fairs extremely well vs. common vinyl ones. So, things are sort of still looking good for Mon-Ray.

Ted White

A cursory look at the data reveals:

Sliding Patio Doors:
In tandem with a 28 STC standard window, MR gets 43-44. SPW gets 50. So perhaps the SPW frames are better acoustically.

Storm Windows
The tandem measurements for MR are in the low 40s. SPW gets 45 and into the 50s. Again, perhaps frame and design gets better results.

Overall, MR seems to make good windows however.

SM05

Thanks for checking it out Ted. I appreciate it.

Ted White

No problem. I was very curious myself, and now I have a lot more data at my disposal for future inquiries.

Wiscbldr

Just spitballing...here are some thoughts:

-Plant some trees/shrubs on the outside to absorb the noise.

-change out the windows, doors for high efficiency, and possibly qualify for the tax rebate (30% of materials).

-install more insulation in the walls, again, reduces noise and could qualify for rebate.

-install sound board drywall on the walls.

-change attic insulation (qualify for rebate), and theres a lot of noise that can come from soffit to attic, down to interior areas.

-rearrange furniture so that the Tv is on the loudest exterior wall facing you so that it drowns out the noise. Put beds furthest away from noisey walls. Put bedrooms on back of the house vs front of house by the street.

-use sound machines or electric fans to create white noise to drown out noises at night when sleeping.

....practice living in a very noisy environment and retrain your mind to accept the noise and not have it affect you. The more you think of the noises and concentrate on them, the worst it will get. Overtime if you learn to ignore it, you will get used to it.

If all else fails, sell the house. I know its drastic, but if youre not happy living in a house thats noisey, put it up for sale and try to find something in a quieter setting. The road noise will never go away, so you either change your environment, change your mindset, or move.

Good luck!!

Ted White

Some good ideas there. More iunsulation in the walls would likely make things worse, however. Compressed insulation conducts a vibration

Ladigit

SM05... Interested in hearing if you install the Mon-Rays. We are in a similar situation in a historic area in Takoma Park, and looking at the Mon-Ray storms. Have been talking with TheWindowMan in Arlington about installation. Currently trying to decide whether to go with the 1/8" or upgrade to the 1/4" laminated, to mount outside our old-school double-hung wood frames.

Any info you/others come across would be appreciated.

SM05

Wiscbldr, Ted, thanks for the info. I've been thinking about adding cellulose insulation to the party wall and perhaps to one of the exterior walls. Cellulose insulation supposed to work well for soundproofing as well. Wiscbldr, I'm gonna try making it work. We like the location and both are willing to compromise. It's just a matter of getting the noise to acceptable levels I can live with.

Ladigit, I don't have the storm windows installed yet. I pulled the plug on them and will have the final measurement done next Tuesday. After that it takes 6-8 weeks of lead time to make them manufactured, which the installer claims normally takes 4-6 weeks on average. Add installation to that and I think I'm looking into mid January installation at the earliest, weather permitting. For the front, ie noisy side, we went with 1/4 laminated glass. I don't have the door approved yet though so I won't know how the complete solution performs until that's all done. HTH.

Ted White

Quick point: Fiberglass, cellulose, mineral fiber, cotton or polyester all work close to the same. I would use what is cheapest.

SteelToes

SM05 ...do you have a crawlspace...vented crawlspace?

Michael11

Hello,
Great tips! However there was one side that you didn't cover - ABOVE! I've got neighbors that have very heavy feet in the apartment above me. Any suggestions for sound from above?

Thanks

_______________________________

Fireplace Render