"Ended up isolating the bed frame from the floor with rubber pads—surprisingly effective for structural vibrations."
That's a smart move. Structural vibrations can be tricky because they're transmitted through the building itself, not just the air. I've seen similar issues in high-rise condos where even premium windows don't fully solve the vibration problem—especially from elevators or HVAC units. Laminated glass definitely helps with airborne noise, but like you found out, it's not always enough for structural hums.
Another thing I've recommended to clients is adding thick area rugs or carpet padding in bedrooms and living areas. It doesn't eliminate vibrations completely, but it can dampen them noticeably. Also, placing heavy furniture strategically can sometimes help absorb or redirect some of that energy.
Sounds like you've already got a handle on it though... sometimes it's just about experimenting until you find what works best for your specific situation.
Good call on the rubber pads—I did something similar with my couch legs and it made a noticeable difference. Still feel a bit of vibration sometimes, but way less annoying now. Small tweaks can really pay off.
Rubber pads definitely help, but if you're still feeling vibrations, you might wanna check out your window seals too. I had a similar issue in my old apartment—high-rise living is great for views but not always for peace and quiet. Turns out, upgrading to thicker curtains and adding weather stripping around the windows made a huge difference. It wasn't even that expensive or complicated, just took an afternoon of DIY work.
Honestly, it's surprising how much small adjustments can improve comfort levels. You're already on the right track with the furniture pads, so tweaking your windows might be the next logical step. Worth a shot if you're still noticing vibrations or noise creeping in from outside...
Good call on the weather stripping—I did something similar last year and it really cut down on drafts and noise. Didn't realize how much energy I was losing through those tiny gaps until I sealed them up. Plus, my heating bills dropped noticeably, which was a nice bonus. Definitely worth the afternoon spent fiddling around with window seals and curtains... small changes can really add up to big comfort improvements.
Yeah, sealing up those gaps makes a huge difference. Had a similar experience when I swapped out my old single-pane windows for double-glazed ones. Didn't expect such a noticeable drop in street noise... felt like I'd moved to a quieter neighborhood overnight. Totally worth the hassle.
Double-glazed windows definitely help with noise, but honestly, if you're living way up high, street noise might not be your biggest issue. Wind pressure and drafts can be a bigger headache at higher floors. I found that triple-glazing made a noticeable difference in comfort and energy bills, even though it was pricier upfront. Might be worth considering if you're already going through the hassle of replacing windows...
Yeah, triple-glazing can be a game changer up high. I remember staying at a friend's apartment on the 20-something floor during winter—felt like the wind was trying to break in and steal snacks from the pantry, lol. They upgraded to triple-glazed windows eventually, and it was night and day. Definitely pricier upfront, but if you're already swapping windows out anyway, might as well go all-in for comfort (and snack security).
"felt like the wind was trying to break in and steal snacks from the pantry, lol."
Haha, that snack-stealing wind imagery is spot-on. Reminds me of when I first moved into my current place—it's on the 18th floor, and the windows were ancient single-pane glass. The first winter was brutal. I swear, I could feel the cold air sneaking in through every tiny gap, and the curtains would flutter even when the windows were shut tight. It was like living in a tent up there.
I debated triple-glazing too, but ended up going with double-glazed windows with a low-E coating instead. Mostly because the price difference was pretty significant at the time, and I wasn't sure if triple-glazing would really make that much more of a difference. Honestly, the double-glazing upgrade alone was a huge improvement—no more drafts, way quieter, and my heating bills dropped noticeably. But now, reading your friend's experience, I'm kinda wondering if I should've just bitten the bullet and gone triple.
One thing I've always wondered though—is triple-glazing noticeably heavier? I remember the installers mentioning something about weight limits or structural considerations for older buildings. Not sure if that's just installer talk or a legit concern. My building isn't exactly new, so I was a bit cautious about adding extra weight to the frames.
Either way, totally agree that if you're already replacing windows, it's worth investing in something energy-efficient. The upfront cost stings a bit, but the comfort factor alone makes it worthwhile. Plus, fewer drafts mean fewer midnight snack raids to warm up... or maybe that's just me.
I totally relate to the snack-stealing wind thing, haha. My old apartment was on the 12th floor, and the windows were so drafty I swear I could've flown a kite indoors some days. Upgrading to double-glazing was honestly one of the best decisions I've made for comfort and sanity.
A couple quick thoughts from my experience:
- Triple glazing definitely weighs more. When I was researching, several installers mentioned structural concerns too, especially in older buildings. It's not just installer talk—there's legit reasoning behind it. Older frames and walls weren't always built with that extra weight in mind, so it's worth checking out carefully before committing.
- Double-glazed windows with low-E coating have been fantastic for me as well. Like you said, huge improvement in warmth and noise reduction without completely breaking the bank. I think triple glazing is great if you're somewhere extremely cold or noisy, but otherwise double glazing hits a nice sweet spot between cost and performance.
- Also, don't underestimate good curtains or blinds! Even after upgrading my windows, adding thick thermal curtains made a noticeable difference during winter nights. Plus, they help block out city lights if you're sensitive to that kind of thing.
Either way, sounds like you made a solid choice already. And hey, fewer midnight snack raids are always a bonus... though let's be honest, sometimes snacks just call your name regardless of drafts or temperature.
Totally agree on the curtains thing—made a huge difference for me too. I went with double glazing (triple seemed like overkill for my area), but honestly, the biggest surprise was how much quieter it got. Didn't even realize how noisy my street was until it wasn't anymore... now if only curtains could stop me from raiding the fridge at 2am, I'd be set.