Moved into a place right by a busy street and man, the traffic sounds are unreal. I swapped out one of my old windows for a double-pane from Milgard (I think it was their Quiet Line?) and honestly, it helped, but not as much as I hoped. Still hear the buses rumbling at night. Has anyone found a brand or model that really cuts down on noise? Or is it just never gonna be silent unless I move to the woods?
I totally get where you’re coming from—double-pane helps, but it’s not a miracle cure. I actually tried adding some heavy blackout curtains after swapping to a “soundproof” window and was surprised how much more it cut down. Also, check for air gaps around the frame—sometimes even tiny cracks let in way more noise than you’d think. Not total silence, but it’s way more livable now.
Also, check for air gaps around the frame—sometimes even tiny cracks let in way more noise than you’d think.
That’s a solid point—air leaks are a sneaky culprit for both noise and energy loss. I’ve found that even with triple-pane, if the installer skimps on sealing, you’re basically throwing money out the window. Has anyone tried those window inserts that go inside the frame? Curious if they actually help with noise or just draftiness.
- Window inserts are one of those “it depends” solutions—kind of like duct tape for windows, but a bit classier.
- They’re actually decent at cutting drafts and can help with sound, but don’t expect total silence if you’ve got a marching band outside (or, in my case, the world’s loudest garbage trucks at 6am).
- The big thing is the seal: if your main window is leaky, inserts can help as a second barrier. But if the frame itself is a sieve, you’re basically putting a band-aid on a leaky boat.
- I’ve seen folks use Indow or similar brands and say it cuts down the sharpness of noise—stuff like sirens and horns get muffled, but low rumbles still sneak through.
- Honestly, if you’re renting or don’t want to touch the original windows, inserts are a solid upgrade for the money. Just don’t expect them to turn your place into a recording studio.
- Funny story—tried making my own insert with acrylic from the hardware store and some weatherstripping. It worked...until summer hit and the acrylic warped like a potato chip. Lesson learned: get the real thing or be prepared for some “abstract art” windows.
- Last thing: no matter what, if the installer doesn’t take their time sealing everything (especially around the sill and corners), you’ll still hear every dog in the neighborhood. Seen too many “premium” jobs ruined by lazy caulking.
- If you’re serious about city noise, double-check the install and maybe combine inserts with heavier curtains. Not glamorous, but it works better than you’d think.
That’s a good rundown on inserts. I actually tried the Indow route last winter after getting fed up with the constant sirens and low-end rumble from the main road outside. Installation was straightforward enough, but I’d echo what you said about the seal—if your original window frames are even a bit out of square (which mine definitely are, 1970s build), you’ll still get leaks around the edges. The inserts did help with the sharper noises, but like you mentioned, the deep bass from trucks and buses still comes through. I suspect that’s more a wall/structure issue than just the glass.
I’ve also looked into triple-pane options, but the price is wild—plus, you have to consider if your walls can even handle the extra weight. Heavy curtains made a noticeable difference for me, though they’re not exactly stylish. It’s a bit of a patchwork approach, but stacking solutions (good windows, inserts, thick curtains) seems to be the only way short of a full-on remodel. Anyone else end up with a Frankenstein setup like this?
The inserts did help with the sharper noises, but like you mentioned, the deep bass from trucks and buses still comes through. I suspect that’s more a wall/structure issue than just the glass.
I’d actually push back a bit on the idea that it’s mostly a wall problem. In my experience, a lot of that low-frequency rumble sneaks in through gaps you’d never expect—like the sash weights or even electrical outlets near the window. I’ve had better luck sealing up those odd spots than with curtains, honestly. Triple-pane is pricey, yeah, but sometimes just beefing up the caulking and weatherstripping can make a surprising difference. The “Frankenstein” setup definitely rings true for me, but it’s not always about stacking more layers—sometimes it’s the little fixes that add up.
I hear you on the little fixes making a difference. When I moved into my 1950s place, I figured the old windows were the main culprit, but after stuffing some foam around the window trim and sealing up the outlets nearby, the deep rumble from the street dropped off more than I expected. Didn’t get rid of it completely, but it was enough that I put off the whole window replacement thing. Sometimes it really is just chasing down those weird leaks you’d never think of.
That’s wild how much difference a bit of foam and outlet sealers can make. I used to blame my single-pane windows for everything, but half the noise was sneaking in through gaps I never noticed. Still not sure new windows would be worth the cash for me yet.
I used to blame my single-pane windows for everything, but half the noise was sneaking in through gaps I never noticed.
That’s exactly what happened with my place. I always thought new windows would be the magic fix, but after sealing up every little gap, it got way quieter. Still curious though—has anyone here actually gone for double or triple-pane and noticed a big difference, or was it more hype than help?
I swapped out my old single-pane for double-pane a couple years ago. Honestly, the difference was noticeable, but not as dramatic as I’d hoped. The real game-changer was actually sealing up the frames and adding heavy curtains. Triple-pane is probably overkill unless you’re right next to a freeway or something. Air gaps and proper installation matter way more than just stacking more glass, in my experience.