I feel your pain with the spray foam... I swear that stuff has a mind of its own. But honestly, I didn't notice much difference after sealing my outlets—maybe my walls are just paper-thin or something? Ended up hanging some thick curtains instead, and weirdly enough, that made a bigger dent in the noise. Plus, no sticky foam fingers to deal with afterward, haha.
"Ended up hanging some thick curtains instead, and weirdly enough, that made a bigger dent in the noise."
Funny you mention curtains—I did the same thing in my bedroom and noticed a huge difference too. Spray foam was a messy adventure I'd rather not repeat... curtains were way easier and cozier anyway.
Curtains definitely help, especially with higher-frequency noises like traffic or voices. But if you're dealing with deeper, low-frequency sounds (think rumbling trucks or bass-heavy music), curtains alone might not cut it.
A few things to consider:
- **Glass thickness and spacing:** Double-pane windows with different glass thicknesses can significantly reduce noise transmission.
- **Laminated glass:** Has a plastic interlayer that dampens vibrations—great for soundproofing.
- **Proper sealing:** Even tiny gaps around the frame can let in surprising amounts of noise. Weatherstripping or acoustic caulking helps a lot.
"Spray foam was a messy adventure I'd rather not repeat..."
Yeah, spray foam can be tricky—it's more about thermal insulation than soundproofing anyway. For serious noise issues, upgrading window panes or frames usually gives better results without the mess. Curtains are a solid quick fix, but if noise is a major concern, investing in specialized windows might be worth considering down the road.
I upgraded to laminated glass last year and honestly, it's been a game changer. Curtains helped a bit, but nothing compared to the new windows. I was skeptical at first—seemed pricey—but now I barely notice the trucks rumbling by at night. If you're serious about cutting noise, laminated glass is definitely worth looking into... curtains alone just won't handle those deeper sounds.
"Curtains helped a bit, but nothing compared to the new windows."
Totally get where you're coming from with laminated glass—sounds like it's really working out for you. But honestly, I've had pretty decent luck with heavy blackout curtains combined with cellular shades. I live near a busy intersection, and while it doesn't completely silence the deeper truck noises, it's made a noticeable difference for me without breaking the bank.
Maybe it's just my setup or how sensitive I am to noise, but I found that layering different window treatments can be surprisingly effective. Plus, it gives me flexibility—open them up during the day for natural light, close them at night for quiet and privacy. Laminated glass sounds awesome, but if budget's tight or you're renting (like I was until recently), curtains and shades might still be worth experimenting with first...
I can see why you're happy with the laminated glass—it's definitely a solid upgrade. When we replaced our windows a few years back, I remember being skeptical at first. We'd tried heavy curtains and even those foam inserts, but nothing really did the trick. Once the new windows went in, though, it was like night and day. Not just quieter, but the drafts disappeared too, which was a nice bonus.
Still, I think the curtain and shade combo can be pretty effective depending on your situation. Maybe it's about the type of noise you're dealing with? Traffic rumble seems harder to block than, say, neighborhood chatter or barking dogs. Or maybe it's just personal sensitivity—I know my wife barely notices sounds that drive me nuts.
Either way, glad you're enjoying the upgrade. It's always satisfying when a home improvement actually lives up to expectations...doesn't always happen, haha.
We upgraded ours last spring and honestly, I wasn't expecting much difference besides better insulation. But man, the noise reduction caught me totally off guard. We live near a busy intersection, and before the upgrade, I'd wake up every morning to trucks rumbling by. Now, it's just a faint hum—barely noticeable unless I really listen for it. Definitely worth it for that alone.
Yeah, noise reduction can be a nice bonus, but honestly, it depends a lot on the type of windows and your home's construction. I've seen some folks barely notice a difference. Glad yours worked out though—sounds like a win!
I'm thinking about doing something similar soon, but I'm still on the fence. My place is older—built in the late 70s—and I'm not sure if new windows alone would make a noticeable dent in the noise from the busy street nearby. I've heard mixed things about double vs. triple-pane windows too. Did you go with double or triple-pane? Curious if anyone else here has experience with triple-pane windows specifically and thinks they're worth the extra cost. Seems like opinions vary quite a bit depending on who you ask and what their home's like.
I went triple-pane about two years ago, and honestly, zero regrets. My house is from the early 80s, similar situation—busy road nearby—and the difference was pretty noticeable right away. It's not like it completely silences everything (you'll still hear sirens or loud motorcycles), but the general traffic hum is way less intrusive. Yeah, they're pricier, but if noise reduction is a big deal for you, I'd say it's worth the extra cash. Plus, bonus points for better insulation in winter... my heating bill definitely dropped a bit.