Curtains can help a bit, sure, but honestly they're more of a band-aid solution. If noise is really driving you nuts, acoustic windows or secondary glazing might be worth the upfront cost—plus you'd probably save on heating bills too. Just something to consider...
I've been thinking about acoustic windows myself, but I'm curious—how much of a hassle is the installation process? Like, do you have to replace your entire window frames, or can you just add them onto existing ones? I've heard secondary glazing is easier, but does it really make a noticeable difference compared to fully replacing the windows?
Also, wondering if anyone's noticed a big difference in heating bills after installing acoustic windows. I mean, it makes sense they'd help with insulation, but is it enough to justify the upfront cost? Curtains seem simpler, but yeah, probably not enough if you're dealing with serious city noise. Just trying to weigh the pros and cons before diving into something expensive...
We had secondary glazing put in last year, and honestly, it wasn't too bad installation-wise. No need to rip out the old frames, thankfully. Noise reduction's pretty noticeable, and our heating bills did dip a bit—nothing huge, but enough to feel good about it. Curtains alone didn't cut it for us either...
Interesting you mention secondary glazing—I installed acoustic windows for a client about two months back, and honestly, the difference was night and day compared to the secondary glazing I've worked with before. Don't get me wrong, secondary glazing can be decent, but acoustic-grade windows have thicker laminated glass and specially designed frames that really dampen noise. Had one homeowner call me up laughing because she'd finally slept through the garbage truck's morning rounds for the first time in years...
Curtains? Yeah, they're mostly decorative when it comes to noise control. Tried those myself when I lived downtown—didn't do much beyond muffling the occasional pedestrian chatter. But I will say, acoustic windows aren't exactly budget-friendly. If your noise issue isn't extreme, secondary glazing might still be the smarter move financially. Guess it comes down to how much you value your sanity (or sleep!).
Good points there—I looked into acoustic windows myself recently, and the specs definitely back you up. Laminated glass has a higher STC rating, making it more effective against traffic noise. Curtains barely made a dent for me either... lesson learned the hard way, unfortunately.
"Curtains barely made a dent for me either... lesson learned the hard way, unfortunately."
Yeah, curtains alone rarely cut it, especially if you're dealing with heavy city traffic. Laminated acoustic windows do have a clear edge, but have you considered the installation details too? Even the best acoustic glass won't perform well if the frames aren't properly sealed or insulated. I've seen cases where people upgraded their windows but overlooked sealing gaps around the frames—noise still found its way in. Might be worth double-checking that aspect before investing heavily.
"Even the best acoustic glass won't perform well if the frames aren't properly sealed or insulated."
Yeah, learned that one myself after dropping some serious cash on acoustic windows. Thought I'd finally get some peace, but turns out the installer skimped on sealing... noise still sneaks in. Definitely double-check installation details beforehand.
Proper sealing is often overlooked—seen it plenty of times. Did your installer use acoustic caulking or just standard sealant? The difference in noise reduction can be pretty significant...
Had the same issue here—city buses rumbling by at 5am, lovely way to wake up, right? Anyway, tried curtains first and they helped a bit, but honestly sealing around my windows made the biggest difference. Didn't even realize there was special acoustic caulk until someone mentioned it here a while back. Swapped out the regular stuff for acoustic sealant and it was surprisingly effective. Worth checking what your installer used before dropping cash on new windows... might save you some headaches (and sleep).
Funny you mention acoustic caulk—I had a client once who swore by egg cartons taped to the wall. Looked ridiculous, but he insisted it worked. Honestly though, sealing gaps properly is underrated... curtains help, but sealing's the real MVP here.