"storm windows can actually help dampen some of that rumble you're hearing."
Yeah, agreed. I added storm windows with a decent-sized gap and sealed up every tiny crack I could find—made a noticeable difference. Still hear the occasional Harley roaring by, but at least my coffee doesn't vibrate off the table anymore...
Storm windows can definitely help, but honestly, if you're dealing with serious street noise (especially those Harleys...), acoustic glass might be worth considering. Storm windows are great for sealing drafts and cutting down some of the rumble, but they're not specifically designed for soundproofing.
If you're already noticing improvements from sealing gaps and adding storm windows, that's awesome. But if you want to level up your noise reduction game, acoustic glass has laminated layers specifically meant to dampen sound vibrations. It's pricier, sure, but it can make a pretty big difference—especially if you're sensitive to noise or live on a busy street.
"Still hear the occasional Harley roaring by, but at least my coffee doesn't vibrate off the table anymore..."
Haha, been there. If your coffee's safe now, maybe you're good enough. But if you ever decide to upgrade further, acoustic glass is probably your next logical step. Just don't expect total silence—those Harleys have a way of making themselves heard no matter what you do...
Acoustic glass definitely helps, but honestly, even that won't completely silence those Harleys. I upgraded last year and noticed a big improvement overall—voices, regular traffic, even sirens are way less intrusive—but those deep motorcycle rumbles still sneak through occasionally.
"Storm windows are great for sealing drafts and cutting down some of the rumble, but they're not specifically designed for soundproofing."
Exactly. Curious though, has anyone tried pairing acoustic glass with heavy curtains or blinds? Wondering if layering solutions might help even more...
Exactly. Curious though, has anyone tried pairing acoustic glass with heavy curtains or blinds?
I've actually found heavy curtains to be pretty disappointing for deep motorcycle noise. Tried pairing them with acoustic glass in my bedroom last summer, and while they definitely softened voices and higher-pitched sounds, those low-frequency rumbles still came through. Honestly, I think the issue is that curtains just don't have enough mass or density to block deeper vibrations effectively. Might need something more substantial like secondary glazing or thicker walls...
Good points on the curtains—I had a similar experience. Tried acoustic glass plus heavy blackout blinds in my home office, and while it helped with general street chatter and traffic hiss, those deep engine noises still got through. From what I've read, low-frequency sounds like motorcycles or trucks are notoriously tricky because they're more vibration-based. Acoustic glass is great at cutting airborne noise, but vibrations need mass and isolation to tackle effectively.
One thing that did noticeably help me was adding secondary glazing with a decent-sized air gap (around 100mm). The air gap seems to disrupt the sound waves better, especially the lower frequencies. Also, sealing up any tiny gaps around windows and frames made a surprising difference—sound leaks through even tiny cracks more than you'd think.
Curtains or blinds alone probably won't cut it for deep rumbling noises, unfortunately...
"The air gap seems to disrupt the sound waves better, especially the lower frequencies."
Interesting point, but in my experience, even a big air gap won't fully handle those deep vibrations. Ever tried laminated acoustic glass combined with resilient channels around the frames? Might tackle vibrations better...