I've tried storm windows myself, and while they definitely helped with drafts and heating bills, I have to say the noise reduction wasn't as dramatic as I'd hoped. Sure, things got a bit quieter, but if street noise is truly driving you crazy, you might still find yourself disappointed.
A friend of mine went all-in on acoustic glass in his downtown place, and the difference was night and day compared to my setup. He lives near a busy intersection, and after switching to acoustic glass, he said the traffic noise dropped significantly—like going from a loud conversation to a soft whisper. Pretty impressive stuff.
That said, acoustic glass isn't exactly cheap, and if you're already considering storm windows, budget might be a factor. But here's something else to consider: have you thought about combining storm windows with heavy-duty curtains or even soundproofing blinds? I added some thick blackout curtains after installing my storm windows, and honestly, it made a noticeable difference. Not perfect, but way better than storm windows alone. Plus, curtains are relatively inexpensive and easy to switch out if you change your mind.
So yeah, acoustic glass is probably the gold standard if your main issue is noise, but don't underestimate the power of layering solutions—storm windows plus curtains might get you close enough without breaking the bank. Just something to think about before diving into a pricier upgrade...
"don't underestimate the power of layering solutions—storm windows plus curtains might get you close enough without breaking the bank."
Totally agree on layering—curtains really do help. Another trick I've seen work well is sealing up any small gaps around frames with acoustic caulk... surprisingly effective for noise leaks.
Another trick I've seen work well is sealing up any small gaps around frames with acoustic caulk... surprisingly effective for noise leaks.
Layering definitely helps, but honestly, sealing those sneaky little gaps is a game changer. I went around my windows with acoustic caulk last summer—felt kinda silly at first, like I was prepping for some zombie apocalypse—but it seriously cut down the street noise. Didn't realize how much sound was sneaking through those tiny cracks. Now if only I could find a caulk that blocks out my neighbor's questionable music taste...
I did the acoustic caulk thing too, and yeah, it made a noticeable difference. Funny how we obsess over window glass types but overlook those tiny gaps. Wonder if anyone's tried weatherstripping doors for noise—worth the effort or nah?
Weatherstripping doors is totally worth it, imo. Did mine last year and was surprised how much quieter things got—especially that annoying garbage truck at 5am... Definitely cheaper than fancy glass upgrades, too. Give it a shot, can't hurt.
Weatherstripping helps, but honestly, if street noise is your main issue, storm windows might be the sweet spot. Acoustic glass is great but pricey, and storm windows give you a solid air gap—key for noise reduction. Did mine two years ago, and now I barely notice traffic...even motorcycles.
Did you notice a big difference right away, or did it take some getting used to? I've been debating storm windows myself... acoustic glass seems like overkill for my budget, but motorcycles at 2am are seriously testing my patience. Glad to hear it's working out for you.
"acoustic glass seems like overkill for my budget, but motorcycles at 2am are seriously testing my patience."
Totally get where you're coming from—those late-night revving engines are brutal. I went with storm windows myself and noticed a decent improvement right away. It wasn't total silence, but definitely muffled enough to stop waking me up constantly. Plus, they're way easier on the wallet than acoustic glass. Might be worth trying storm windows first before splurging on anything pricier...worked pretty well for me.
Storm windows definitely helped me too, especially with traffic noise. I was skeptical at first, but honestly surprised how much quieter things got. Like you said:
"It wasn't total silence, but definitely muffled enough to stop waking me up constantly."
Exactly my experience. Plus, they're pretty affordable compared to acoustic glass. Might not block out every Harley at 2am (ugh), but it makes a noticeable difference without breaking the bank.
I've seen storm windows work pretty well too, but I wonder how much your home's construction plays into it? Like, would older houses with thinner walls still benefit as much, or is it really about the glass itself? Also curious if anyone's tried combining storm windows with heavy curtains or something similar—does layering actually help noticeably, or is it just wishful thinking...?