Totally agree with the velvet curtain suggestion. I had a similar issue at my old place—busy street, buses rumbling by at all hours, you name it. I initially went all-in on acoustic windows, thinking they'd solve everything. They definitely helped with the higher-pitched noises, but that low-frequency rumble was stubborn as heck. Eventually, I added some thick blackout curtains (not even specifically marketed as acoustic), and surprisingly, they made a noticeable difference. I think it's because heavy fabrics absorb those bass frequencies better than rigid materials like glass alone. Plus, bonus points for blocking out streetlights and helping me sleep better. So yeah, sometimes the simplest solutions really are the best...
Interesting to hear curtains worked that well for you. I was pretty skeptical at first, since I've always leaned toward structural fixes like double glazing or acoustic panels. But funny enough, my cousin had a similar situation—busy intersection, constant trucks—and he ended up layering heavy velvet drapes over his existing blinds. Honestly, I thought he was wasting his money, but when I visited, the difference was actually noticeable. Not 100% silence, obviously, but definitely less of that annoying low-end rumble. Guess sometimes simple really does work better than fancy tech...
Funny you mention velvet curtains actually working—I was pretty skeptical myself until I saw it firsthand. Had a client once who was dead-set on acoustic windows because he lived right above a busy bus stop. We installed them, and yeah, they worked great, but the cost was pretty steep. Fast forward a few months later, another homeowner nearby asked if heavy curtains would help at all. Honestly, I thought "no way," but turns out she got these thick blackout drapes and layered them up...and it genuinely made a noticeable difference. Not as dramatic as the acoustic windows, sure, but way cheaper and easier.
Makes me wonder if sometimes we overcomplicate things with high-tech solutions when simpler fixes can do the trick? Or maybe it's just about expectations—curtains won't give you studio-level silence, but maybe that's not always necessary?
"Makes me wonder if sometimes we overcomplicate things with high-tech solutions when simpler fixes can do the trick?"
Yeah, totally agree. I live near a busy intersection and layered blackout curtains with a thicker liner behind them—made a noticeable difference. Not perfect, but good enough to sleep comfortably without breaking the bank.
"Yeah, totally agree. I live near a busy intersection and layered blackout curtains with a thicker liner behind them—made a noticeable difference. Not perfect, but good enough to sleep comfortably without breaking the bank."
Haha, exactly my experience! I went through a similar struggle when I first moved into my place—busy street, buses rumbling by at all hours, you name it. Here's what worked for me (and trust me, I'm no DIY expert):
Step 1: Bought some decent blackout curtains online (nothing fancy, just thick enough to block out most of the streetlights).
Step 2: Realized curtains alone weren't cutting it, so grabbed some cheap acoustic foam panels off Amazon. (Pro tip: don't expect miracles from these, but they do help.)
Step 3: Hung the foam panels behind the curtains using double-sided tape—no drilling, no landlord drama.
Step 4: Enjoyed a noticeably quieter bedroom without emptying my wallet or losing my sanity.
Honestly, it's not studio-level silence or anything, but it's good enough that I don't wake up every time someone honks their horn at 2 AM...which is a win in my book. Sometimes simple really is better.
"Honestly, it's not studio-level silence or anything, but it's good enough that I don't wake up every time someone honks their horn at 2 AM..."
Fair enough, but have you considered window inserts? They're pricier than curtains or foam, sure, but might be worth it if the noise is really driving you nuts. Just a thought.
Window inserts can definitely help, but in my experience, it depends a lot on the type of noise you're dealing with. Had a client downtown who swore by inserts for blocking traffic noise, but another near a busy bar found thick curtains surprisingly more effective at muffling voices and music.
"it's good enough that I don't wake up every time someone honks their horn at 2 AM..."
Are you mostly bothered by sharp noises like horns, or is it more of a constant background hum?
"it's good enough that I don't wake up every time someone honks their horn at 2 AM..."
Yeah, sharp noises like horns or sirens can be a real pain. I've noticed inserts do pretty well with those sudden, high-pitched sounds since they're designed to seal gaps and block direct sound waves. But curtains seem better at absorbing lower-frequency, constant background noise—like the bass from music or the general buzz of people talking outside.
Had a client once who lived near train tracks. Inserts helped a lot with the screeching brakes and whistles, but he still complained about the rumble of passing trains vibrating through his walls. Ended up adding some heavy drapes, and surprisingly, that combo worked wonders.
Curious though...is your place older construction? Sometimes older buildings have hidden gaps around windows or doors that let noise sneak in, even if you have decent windows. Have you checked for any air leaks or gaps around your frames? Might be worth looking into before investing heavily in inserts or curtains.
Good point about older buildings. I lived in an apartment once that was built in the 1920s, and even though the windows were upgraded, noise still seeped in from tiny gaps around the frames. Sealing those gaps made a surprising difference...way more than I expected.
"Ended up adding some heavy drapes, and surprisingly, that combo worked wonders."
Yeah, combining methods usually seems to be the best bet. Glad to hear you're at least sleeping through the horns now—small victories count!
Yeah, sealing gaps is often overlooked but can make a huge difference. I've seen plenty of cases where people invest in expensive acoustic windows but skip the basics like proper sealing, and then wonder why they're still hearing street noise.
"Ended up adding some heavy drapes, and surprisingly, that combo worked wonders."
Heavy drapes definitely help, especially with higher-frequency sounds. Curious though, did you notice any improvement with lower-frequency noises like buses or trucks rumbling by? Those can be trickier to block out...