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.