I've heard argon can help, but honestly, sometimes it just comes down to sealing and installation quality. We upgraded to argon-filled windows too but still hear the occasional truck—turns out we had some hidden gaps around the frames. Worth checking those details out first before splurging again...
Yeah, sealing definitely makes a difference. When we moved in, I noticed similar issues—did a smoke test around the frames and found tiny gaps letting noise through. Properly sealing those reduced street noise more noticeably than upgrading window types alone...
Good points, but honestly, sealing alone didn't do much for us. Tried caulking every gap I could find, even did the smoke test too... still heard plenty of traffic noise. Upgrading to laminated glass windows made a way bigger difference in our case. Might depend on how busy your street is or the type of noise you're dealing with, though. Just something to keep in mind before spending too much time sealing every tiny crack.
Good to hear laminated glass worked out for you. We had a similar issue—busy street, constant traffic hum, occasional motorcycles at night. Tried sealing first too, and yeah, it helped a little with drafts but barely touched the noise. Ended up going with laminated windows as well, and the difference was night and day.
A couple things I noticed from our experience:
- Sealing is great for thermal insulation and drafts but limited for soundproofing (especially low-frequency sounds like engines).
- Laminated glass has that extra layer which dampens vibrations significantly—made a huge difference for us.
- Also found that heavier curtains or blinds can help absorb some residual noise inside.
You're right though, every situation's different. Glad you found something that finally gave you peace and quiet... traffic noise can really wear you down after a while.