Mass-loaded vinyl can be pretty decent for airborne noise, but yeah, low-frequency stuff like trucks rumbling past is a whole different beast. Honestly, I've seen people spend a ton on MLV and still end up frustrated because vibrations just travel through the structure itself—windows, frames, walls... everything.
Decoupling drywall is definitely worth exploring. If vibrations are your main issue, isolating the wall from the studs can make a noticeable difference. But since you're mentioning storm windows and acoustic glass in the title—have you looked into laminated acoustic glass? I've installed it for clients near busy roads, and it actually surprised me how well it cut down on traffic noise. Not magic or anything, but definitely noticeable improvement.
Maybe start with windows first (since that's usually the weakest link), then see if you still need to tackle walls afterward? Just thinking out loud here...
Yeah, totally agree about windows being the weakest link. I swapped out my old single-pane windows for laminated acoustic glass last year, and honestly, it was night and day. Like you said, not magic—but it definitely took the edge off traffic noise enough that I stopped noticing it constantly. Walls might still be an issue later, but tackling windows first is probably your best bet... good luck!
Did you notice much difference in insulation or energy bills after switching to acoustic glass? Been thinking about it myself, but wondering if the noise reduction alone justifies the extra cost...
I switched to acoustic glass about a year ago, and honestly, the noise reduction was immediately noticeable. Energy-wise though, my bills didn't drop dramatically—maybe a slight improvement in insulation? Hard to say if that's enough to justify the cost...depends how much the noise bugs you, I guess.
I noticed something similar after installing acoustic glass in my bedroom windows. The noise reduction was definitely worth it—finally sleeping through the garbage trucks at 5 am—but energy savings were minimal at best. I think insulation improvements depend a lot on your home's overall setup, like wall insulation and drafts around doors. For me, the quiet alone justified the cost, but if you're mainly looking to cut energy bills, acoustic glass might not be the best bang for your buck.
"I think insulation improvements depend a lot on your home's overall setup, like wall insulation and drafts around doors."
Yeah, totally agree with this. Acoustic glass is awesome for noise, but expecting big energy savings from it alone is probably wishful thinking. Sealing up drafts and beefing up wall insulation usually makes a bigger difference. Plus... quiet mornings are priceless anyway, right?
Yeah, acoustic glass definitely helps with noise, but like you said, energy savings are probably minimal. When I moved into my current place, street noise was driving me crazy too—especially early morning garbage trucks and late-night traffic. I ended up putting in acoustic windows in just the bedroom, and honestly, it was a game changer for sleep quality. But energy-wise? Didn't notice much difference on my bills.
"Sealing up drafts and beefing up wall insulation usually makes a bigger difference."
Exactly this. After sealing around doors and windows with weather stripping and caulk, the house felt way cozier. Plus, I noticed fewer cold spots during winter. It's funny how those small gaps make such a big difference in comfort.
One thing I'd add is curtains—heavy blackout curtains helped me a lot too. They're not as fancy as acoustic glass or storm windows, but they're cheaper and surprisingly effective at muffling sound (and blocking out streetlights). Might be worth trying first before dropping serious cash on new windows.
Either way, good luck... street noise can seriously mess with your sanity after a while.
Yeah, acoustic glass is great for noise, but honestly, if energy savings is your main goal, storm windows might be a better bet. I put storm windows on my old place and noticed a decent drop in heating bills—nothing huge, but noticeable.
"heavy blackout curtains helped me a lot too."
Totally agree here... curtains were surprisingly effective for me too. Plus, they're way easier on the wallet than new windows. Maybe try curtains first and see how it goes?
Storm windows are decent for energy savings, yeah, but when it comes to street noise, they didn't do much for me. I installed storm windows at my last apartment, and while the heating bills did drop a bit (nothing dramatic), the noise issue barely improved. Maybe it's because my street was particularly busy, but honestly, I was expecting more.
On the other hand, acoustic glass made a noticeable difference at my current place. Was skeptical at first—seemed like a pricey gimmick—but it genuinely cut down traffic sounds considerably. Curtains helped too, surprisingly effective for something so simple... but if your street noise is seriously driving you nuts, curtains alone probably won't cut it. I'd say curtains first if you're tight on cash, but keep acoustic glass in mind if things don't improve enough.
Totally get your frustration—street noise can really wear you down. Storm windows are great for drafts, but yeah, they're not exactly noise-canceling miracles. Acoustic glass does seem pricey at first glance, but I've heard similar experiences from others who swear by it. Glad it worked out for you. Curtains surprised me too; thicker fabric helped more than I expected... though like you said, probably won't solve the issue completely if it's super noisy outside. Good luck getting some peace and quiet!