I've been considering double-pane windows myself, mostly to deal with drafts and condensation issues. Noise reduction sounds like a nice side benefit, but I'm a bit skeptical about how noticeable it would really be in my situation. My house is pretty close to a busy road, and traffic noise can get pretty intense during rush hour. Did you notice a significant difference with lower-frequency noises too, like trucks or buses rumbling by? I've heard that double-pane windows are great for higher-pitched sounds (like leaf blowers or barking dogs), but might not be as effective for deeper noises. Curious if anyone else living near heavy traffic has experience with this...
We upgraded to double-pane windows last fall, mostly for the drafts (which it solved beautifully), but honestly, the noise reduction surprised me. Traffic sounds still come through a bit, especially those deep truck rumbles, but it's definitely softer and less intrusive—worth it imo.
"honestly, the noise reduction surprised me. Traffic sounds still come through a bit, especially those deep truck rumbles"
Funny you mention that, because when we replaced ours a couple years back, I was mostly focused on energy savings and drafts too. Didn't even cross my mind about noise until one morning, sipping coffee, I realized the usual clatter of garbage trucks wasn't jolting me awake anymore. Sure, deeper sounds still sneak in sometimes, but it's become more background hum than intrusive noise. Pretty nice bonus I hadn't counted on...
Totally agree, noticed the same thing after we upgraded ours last fall. A few things I picked up on:
- Wind noise is basically gone, didn't realize how much it bothered me til it wasn't there anymore.
- Still hear the occasional deep rumble from trucks or motorcycles, but it's way less jarring.
- Weirdly enough, now I notice indoor sounds more—like the fridge humming or heater clicking on.
Funny how changing one thing makes you more aware of others...
Did the same upgrade last year and noticed the fridge thing too... drove me nuts for a week. Ended up tweaking the leveling feet to quiet it down. Funny how fixing one annoyance just highlights another.
Haha, isn't that always the way? You fix one thing and suddenly your ears tune into something else that's been quietly driving you crazy all along. I swear, homeownership is just a never-ending game of whack-a-mole with household annoyances.
I had a similar experience after finally sorting out my foggy windows—felt like a total victory until I started noticing this weird humming from the furnace. Took me days to realize it wasn't new; I'd just never heard it clearly before because I was too busy obsessing over condensation. Ended up tightening some screws and adding foam padding around the ducts, which helped a ton.
Honestly though, it's kind of satisfying when you finally pinpoint and fix these little quirks yourself. Makes you feel like you've leveled up your homeowner skills... at least until the next mystery noise pops up.
Totally relate to that furnace humming issue—had something similar last winter. A few things that helped me:
- Checked furnace filter (dirty filters can cause weird airflow noises).
- Adjusted fan speed settings—sometimes lower speeds reduce humming.
- Inspected ducts for leaks or loose connections (sealed mine with aluminum tape, worked wonders).
Funny how fixing one thing makes you hyper-aware of everything else...but hey, at least we're slowly making our homes more efficient, right?
Had a similar "aha" moment last winter with foggy windows. Thought it was just a humidity thing at first, but nope...turns out my bathroom exhaust fan was barely doing its job. Replaced it with a stronger one (after wrestling with wiring diagrams and YouTube tutorials for hours, lol). Now the windows stay clear, but of course, now I notice every little creak and hum elsewhere. Homeownership—fix one thing, find three more waiting in line.
"Homeownership—fix one thing, find three more waiting in line."
Haha, isn't that the truth...every fix seems to uncover another hidden issue. Curious though, did you notice a big difference in noise levels after upgrading your exhaust fan? I've been debating whether a stronger fan is worth the trade-off in extra noise. Some folks swear by those ultra-quiet models, but I'm skeptical they're actually powerful enough to clear humidity effectively. Would love to hear if anyone's found a good balance between quiet operation and solid performance.
Went through this exact dilemma last year when I swapped out mine. A few quick thoughts:
- Upgraded from builder-grade to a higher CFM model—definitely cleared humidity faster, but noise was noticeable.
- Switched again to one of those ultra-quiet models (rated around 1.0 sone). Surprisingly effective at moisture removal and way quieter than expected.
- Honestly, I think the key is proper installation and ducting. Even a powerful fan can underperform if ductwork isn't done right.
Bottom line: quiet doesn't always mean weak performance...just gotta pick carefully.