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Sound
Proof Windows for a Better Night's Sleep
Soundproofing
your bedroom windows can be a good idea for anyone who has
to suffer with noise coming from outside, such as loud neighbors,
barking dogs, traffic, car alarms, airplanes, etc. For most
homes, around 90% of exterior noise enters through the doors
and windows, with only a small amount entering through the
walls.
Double-pane
good enough?
Nowadays, chances are you already have double-pane (dual-pane)
windows. "Double pane" simply means there are two
layers of glass with some space in between. These windows
can do a fair job of keeping out noise.
However, to effectively soundproof your bedroom you need to
replace your double-pane windows with triple-pane windows.
Or you can keep your double-pane windows and add an interior
window to the inside frame. A triple-pane window or interior
window can reduce noise levels by 50-90%.
Expensive
Keep in mind, however, that because soundproofing your windows
is expensive (several hundred to several thousand dollars
depending on the number of windows), doing so should probably
be a last resort in your attempt to reduce sleep-robbing outside
noise.
You should first try using a bedside
fan, a white
noise / sound machine, or earplugs.
If these fail to help drown out or eliminate the noise coming
from outside, then it makes sense to explore the possibility
of soundproofing your windows.
Also keep in mind that even if you do soundproof your windows,
you will likely still hear some noise because as the environment
gets quieter the ear becomes more sensitive to noise. This
means you will likely end up having to use a fan, white noise
/ sound machine or earplugs anyway in order to get a genuinely
peaceful night's sleep.
Additional benefits of soundproof windows are that they save
energy by improving insulation, and they can also provide
a marketing advantage for your home if you try to sell it.
See how soundproof windows compare to other noise solutions
in the comparison grid.
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