Think about sitting in your dream home and enjoying a cup of hot coffee on a cold day when all you can hear is car-honks from the outside. Is it not something you’d want to experience right? Better safe than sorry; why don’t you ask your residential construction contractor to do soundproofing? If your boat has sailed off or you plan to soundproof your windows after, this blog will help you accomplish your goals.
What Is The Need To Soundproof Windows?
Noise pollution, just like any other, takes a toll on health if exposed to it for a long span of time. Loud honking and siren wailing will not only make you lose your mind but also hinder normal functioning. You cannot control what happens outside, but stopping the noise and enjoying your time in peace is possible.
How to Soundproof Your Windows?
Soundproofing does not entirely block 100% of noise from the outside, but it manages to break up 90% of it. Here are 5 ways you can make your windows soundproof.
Window Inserts
It is the most cost and function-wise-effective way of resisting unwanted noises from the outside. These inserts are made of glass and fixed in the window frame about 5 inches in front of your existing window.
The air between the insert and the window is the gap that keeps most sound vibrations from entering in. Inserts made of laminated glass are considered the best variant. They are thick, consisting of two layers with an intervening plastic that blocks vibrations.
Replace single-pane with double-pane windows
If the noise coming from the outside is not constant and moderate, like lawnmower noise or Doppler car noise, replace single-pane windows with double-pane for your ease. No air barrier exists in the single pane between the outside noise and the glass; therefore, all outdoor sounds vibrate and enter inside.
Seal The Gaps With Acoustic Caulk.
You can seal the gaps with an acoustic caulk. It is latex-based, minimizes sound flow, and is the most straightforward and cheapest method to soundproof windows.
Sound-Dampening Curtains
Glare, along with unwanted sounds, is an issue with houses that have big windows. These curtains can effectively soften noise as well as harsh glare.
They usually cost around $30 to $60 per panel; they are thick, and fabric such as velvet is preferred. Sound-dampening curtains reduce echoes too.
However, they lack stopping sound 100%, so they are better for light noise pollution areas that just interrupt night sleep. Some of the noise it can effectively block includes crickets or birds chirping.
Installing double-cell shades.
Cellular or honeycomb shades have rows of cells or hexagonal fabric tubes placed on top of one another. These shades have multiple functions to perform:
- Blocking out intense light,
- Prevention of heat to come indoors during summers
- Heat retention in winter,
- Gather and block sound waves that can enter a room to reduce the echo.
If we talk about single-cell shades, they consist of a single layer of cells; therefore absorb limited sound. On the other hand, a double-cell shade has two layers and absorbs more sound. They are best for areas that require soft noise dampening and not heavy traffic.
Final Words
Wherever you decide to build a house, be it a residential or commercial setup, you are bound to face noise pollution. So, it is better to soundproof your windows for clarity. We at Qamar Constructions make sure to cater to every need of your dream home. Contact us at (832) 766 9246 in case of any query today.