How to Soundproof Your Windows

Have you lost sleep at night due to parties going on down the street, noisy sirens or trains that pass near your house? Do you find it difficult to sit and enjoy a nice book in the evenings or get work done from home? If all of the loud noises and outside distractions are driving you up the wall, then it may be time for you to consider soundproofing your windows.

Soundproofing your windows sounds like a project, but it’s actually not as bad as it seems. There are several different methods and steps that you can take, but ultimately the time and money that you spend soundproofing your windows will depend on your budget and what you’re trying to accomplish.

Throughout this article, I’ll outline some of the most popular approaches that people take when deciding to soundproof their windows, and you can choose the approach that is most appropriate for your goals.

Cover Your Windows

The first approach that I’m going to suggest involves completely blocking out your windows. This approach has several different strategies depending on your budget and preference.

If you want to completely cancel out the noise coming in through a window, I’d recommend using a fiberglass soundproof blanket. These blankets aren’t the least expensive option nor are they the most aesthetically pleasing, however, they’re the most effective soundproofing method.

Another less expensive, but yet still effective method of covering your windows would be to purchase insulation panels and to fit them to the exact size of your window so that there are no gaps. Insulation panels are also not very aesthetically pleasing, but they’re less costly than fiberglass soundproof blankets and they do an excellent job of canceling out the noise.

Finally, if you don’t want ugly blankets or insulation panels covering your windows, then you can always use simple curtains. Specific types of curtains will do a better job of canceling noise. However, if the noise isn’t ruining your life and you’d like to keep your window area aesthetically pleasing, you can always try to hang curtains over your window in hopes of quieting some of the racket coming from outside.

Try and Cover all of the Tiny Gaps

When looking closely at your window, you’ll probably notice tiny holes, cracks, and gaps between the wall and the window. It’s possible that noise is coming through those tiny gaps. If you like the light coming through your window and you don’t want to sacrifice your natural lighting, then a good option for you may be to purchase some acoustic caulk to try and fill those gaps.

If you live in a particularly noisy area, this strategy likely won’t completely soundproof your windows. However, it’s a relatively inexpensive approach, it allows you to maintain the current aesthetic in your home, and caulk is a very durable and flexible material so it should hold up for a long time.

Try Soundproof Curtains

Some manufacturers make very thick, multilayered, insulated curtains that do an excellent job of canceling noise inside the house as well as outside. Purchasing these curtains is not the cheapest option that I’ve listed, however, it’s one of the most effective options that I’ve listed so far.

Many of these curtains are also excellent for blocking out sunlight so if your someone who needs to work from home and you’re finding yourself constantly distracted by noises happening outside, and inside the glare coming in from the sun, then soundproof curtains are a great option for you.

A general guide when shopping for soundproof window curtains is to purchase four panels per window and to make sure that you get a length that goes from the top of your ceiling to the floor. The more density that you can put between your room and your window, the more effective your curtains will be at canceling out the noise.

Adding an Acrylic Layer to Your Window

This is another option for those who aren’t dealing with serious noise problems and who want to maintain their current aesthetic and also allow sunlight to pass through.

Adding an acrylic layer is certainly cheaper than replacing the window entirely and if you aren’t dealing with extremely loud noises coming from outside, then this option is a great way to add an extra barrier to the incoming noise and keep things a little bit quieter in your home.

To successfully add an acrylic layer to your window, you need to install a metal bracket in your window frame, make sure that it’s airtight as you can then use magnets to fasten the acrylic from into the window.

Double-Pane or Soundproof Window

The final option is probably the most costly option, but easily the most effective. All of the other options that I’ve recommended are great options as well for those of you who aren’t dealing with severe noise or who aren’t really suffering from the loudness outside.

However, for those of you who live in a more metropolitan area and have to deal with construction work, trains, cars, screaming or general outside noise constantly that’s distracting or debilitating, I highly recommend investing in a double-pane or soundproof windows.

Double-pane (or in severe cases triple-pane) windows can reduce noise by up to 60%. If you’re willing to spend the money to invest in peace and quiet, I’d highly recommend this option.

Aside from the price, it’s also important to consider who you’re hiring to install your soundproof windows. Every installer may not be familiar with the specialized techniques that need to be deployed when installing soundproof windows. Furthermore, it’s important to work with manufacturers to determine which type of soundproof window best fits your needs and works with your home.

Whether you’re someone who just enjoys the peace and quiet, or someone who can’t seem to get work done with all of the outside distractions, it’s a great idea to invest time, money, and effort by choosing to soundproof your windows.

I provided an assortment of strategies and methods that you can take advantage of to try and soundproof your windows. Bear in mind that some of the strategies are more efficient than others. You have to evaluate your own personal goals and consider budget before deciding which strategy to deploy. You may even consider deploying more than one of the strategies for the best results.

Windows with Feldco

If you’re in need of replacement windows, you can trust Feldco to replace your windows as we have serviced over 400,000 homes across the Midwest. We have the most energy efficient windows on the market and go above and beyond delighting our customers with great product, service, and installation. Speak with a representative today and get a free quote.