Street noise driving me nuts—storm windows or acoustic glass?

- Acoustic glass definitely helps, but don't underestimate storm windows entirely.
- Installed storm windows last fall—noticed a decent drop in street noise, especially higher-pitched sounds.
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"Storm windows help mostly with insulation and drafts, but they're not really engineered for noise reduction."

Have you checked your window seals yet? Storm windows can help a bit with noise, sure, but if your seals are worn or cracked, you're basically leaving the door open for sound to sneak in. Acoustic glass is great—no argument there—but it's pricey. Before dropping serious cash, maybe try sealing up any gaps around your existing windows first. You'd be surprised how much noise slips through tiny cracks...

Also, what's your street like? If it's mostly traffic noise (low rumbling), storm windows might not cut it as much. But if you're dealing with higher-pitched stuff—like sirens, barking dogs, or that neighbor who insists on leaf-blowing at 7am—storm windows can actually help quite a bit. Not perfect, but better than nothing, especially if budget's tight.

- Good point about the seals, actually went through something similar at my place. Thought storm windows would solve everything, but turns out sealing the gaps made a bigger difference than I expected.
- Curious though—has anyone tried acoustic curtains or blinds? Heard mixed reviews, but they're definitely cheaper than acoustic glass. Might be worth exploring before diving into pricey window replacements...

"Curious though—has anyone tried acoustic curtains or blinds? Heard mixed reviews, but they're definitely cheaper than acoustic glass."

Tried acoustic curtains myself... honestly, wasn't too impressed. They helped a bit with echo inside the room, but street noise? Barely noticed a difference. Maybe my expectations were too high, or maybe I just picked the wrong brand (went cheap on Amazon, guilty as charged).

Funny enough, what actually made a noticeable difference for me was rearranging furniture. Moved a big bookshelf against the wall facing the street, and it absorbed way more noise than the curtains ever did. Plus, gave me an excuse to finally organize my books... win-win.

Might be worth experimenting with room layout before dropping cash on acoustic glass or curtains. Just my two cents.

Interesting about the bookshelf trick—I might give that a shot. I've noticed rugs make a difference too, especially thicker ones. Anyone tried layering rugs or carpets to dampen noise even more? Curious if that's overkill...

"Anyone tried layering rugs or carpets to dampen noise even more? Curious if that's overkill..."

Not overkill at all, actually. I've layered rugs in my apartment—thin rug on top of a thicker carpet pad—and it made a noticeable difference. Still, it's not magic; pairing it with other measures definitely helps.

Not overkill at all, actually.

Layering rugs can help a bit, sure, but honestly it's more of a band-aid than a real fix. Carpets mostly absorb echoes inside your place—they won't do much against street noise coming through windows. Have you looked into sealing gaps around your windows yet?

Storm windows can definitely help, but acoustic glass is usually the more effective long-term solution. I've installed both for clients over the years, and while storm windows are great at sealing drafts and reducing noise somewhat, acoustic glass is specifically engineered to dampen sound waves. It has laminated layers with a special acoustic interlayer that absorbs vibrations—pretty neat stuff actually.

But before you jump straight into replacing your windows, I'd second the suggestion above about sealing gaps. You'd be surprised how much noise sneaks in through tiny cracks around window frames or even electrical outlets. A good quality acoustic caulk or weatherstripping can make a noticeable difference without breaking the bank. I had a client downtown who was convinced he needed new windows because of traffic noise, but after we sealed up all the little gaps, he was amazed at the improvement. Saved him quite a bit of cash too.

If you do decide to go for new windows, just keep in mind that acoustic glass can be pricier upfront. But if street noise is seriously affecting your sleep or sanity (been there myself...), it's probably worth the investment. Storm windows might be enough if you're dealing with moderate noise levels, but heavy traffic or city noise usually calls for something more substantial.

Also, don't underestimate curtains—heavy, lined drapes can absorb some sound and complement whatever window solution you choose. They're not miracle workers on their own, but every little bit helps.

Anyway, good luck with this—noise issues can be super frustrating, but you're definitely on the right track exploring these options.

"You'd be surprised how much noise sneaks in through tiny cracks around window frames or even electrical outlets."

Seriously, this. I spent a weekend sealing gaps around my windows and outlets—felt like a DIY hero—and it actually helped a ton. Maybe try that first before dropping big bucks on acoustic glass?

Totally agree with sealing gaps first—it's amazing how much difference a little caulk and weatherstripping can make. A few things I've found helpful:

- Outlet insulation pads: They're cheap, easy to install, and surprisingly effective at blocking noise (and drafts!).
- Heavy curtains or cellular shades: They won't block everything, but they dampen street noise noticeably.
- If you're leaning toward storm windows, consider ones with laminated glass—they're not full acoustic glass, but still pretty good at noise reduction for less money.

"felt like a DIY hero"

Haha, been there... nothing beats that feeling when your weekend project actually pays off. Acoustic glass is great if you've got the budget, but honestly, I'd try these simpler fixes first. You might find they're enough to keep your sanity intact without emptying your wallet.