Getting tired of street noise—thinking window film & heavy curtains might help?

"I mean, logically it seems like it could help—film to dampen vibrations and thick curtains to absorb some noise—but I dunno if it's enough to make a real difference."

I've tried heavy blackout curtains myself, and honestly, they did help a bit with muffling street noise, but don't expect miracles. Haven't tested window film yet, though I've heard mixed things about it. Curious if anyone's considered weatherstripping or sealing gaps around windows too? Might be worth checking out since noise often sneaks in through tiny cracks...

I've actually done weatherstripping around my windows, and it made a noticeable difference—not just for noise but drafts too. Didn't completely eliminate street sounds, but definitely toned them down enough to sleep better. I'd say it's worth the effort, especially since it's pretty cheap and easy to do yourself.

As for window film, I tried the thicker acoustic type in my old apartment. Honestly, it was kind of underwhelming. Maybe it helped a little with vibrations or something, but nothing dramatic. Curtains were more effective for me, especially the heavy velvet ones layered over blackout liners. They seemed to absorb more of the noise frequencies that bothered me most (like traffic rumble and voices).

If you're serious about cutting down noise, though, you might wanna check your window frames closely—sometimes there are gaps hidden behind trim or molding. Filling those with acoustic caulk or foam can help quite a bit. It's surprising how much sound sneaks through tiny spaces you'd never notice otherwise...

Good points about the acoustic caulk—I found sealing gaps around my frames helped more than anything else I've tried. Curious if anyone's experimented with secondary glazing panels? I've heard they're effective, but installation seems a bit involved...

Good points about the acoustic caulk—I found sealing gaps around my frames helped more than anything else I've tried. Curious if anyone's experimented with secondary glazing panels?

I've seen secondary glazing panels mentioned a few times in energy efficiency circles, and they do seem promising for both thermal insulation and noise reduction. Installation can indeed be a bit tricky depending on your window type, but once they're up, the improvement is noticeable. Combining them with heavy curtains could further dampen sound and also help maintain indoor temperatures—definitely worth considering if street noise is significantly impacting your sleep quality.

I've been thinking about secondary glazing too, but I'm a bit hesitant about the aesthetics. Do they look pretty obvious from the outside, or can you barely tell they're there? My neighbor installed some last year, and while he swears by them for noise reduction, I haven't had a chance to see them up close yet. Wouldn't mind hearing how noticeable they are visually before I jump in...

I totally get your hesitation about secondary glazing—it's a fair concern. From what I've seen, it really depends on the style of your windows and how carefully they're installed. My sister had them fitted last year, and honestly, unless you're specifically looking for them, they're pretty subtle. Her house is older with traditional sash windows, and the glazing blends in surprisingly well. You'd have to be standing pretty close and actively checking to notice anything unusual.

That said, I've also seen a few installations that weren't done as neatly, and yeah, those were a bit more obvious. But even then, it's not like they stood out horribly—just looked slightly different if you knew what to look for. Considering the noise reduction benefits your neighbor mentioned, I'd say it's worth at least checking out some examples in person. Maybe ask your neighbor if you can take a quick peek at his setup? Could help ease your mind before making a decision...

I've seen window film and heavy curtains help a bit, but honestly they're not game-changers for street noise. I installed secondary glazing at my place last year—old Victorian windows—and the difference was night and day. Visually subtle too, if done right...worth considering imo.

Secondary glazing does sound like a solid solution, especially for older homes. I tried heavy curtains myself, and while they helped a little, it wasn't exactly the peaceful oasis I'd hoped for, haha. Ended up installing laminated glass windows last summer—bit pricier but the noise reduction was impressive. Plus, they're pretty subtle visually, so no worries about ruining the look of your place. Might be worth checking out if secondary glazing isn't your thing...

I went down a similar rabbit hole a couple years back—tried heavy curtains first, and yeah, they helped a bit, but mostly just made the room feel stuffy and dark. Then I got into window films, thinking they'd be a cheap fix. Spoiler alert: they weren't. They did cut down glare and heat, but noise-wise? Barely noticeable difference.

Eventually, I bit the bullet and installed secondary glazing myself (DIY style). Honestly, it wasn't as tricky as I expected—just took some patience and careful measuring. The noise reduction was pretty impressive, especially for traffic sounds. Laminated glass would've been my next step if that hadn't worked out, but luckily it did the trick.

If you're handy and don't mind spending a weekend on it, secondary glazing is definitely worth considering. Just make sure you get decent seals around the edges—otherwise you're basically just installing fancy-looking windows without much benefit... learned that one the hard way on my first attempt, haha.