City noise driving me nuts - soundproof curtains or acoustic windows?

Did you notice less condensation too? That was a big plus for me. Agreed, though, installation is no joke... definitely not a quick fix.

Condensation dropped off a cliff after my last install - old single panes were practically crying every morning. Curious if you went with double or triple glazing? I’ve found triple does more for noise but the cost and weight can be a headache. Ever consider secondary glazing as a workaround for tricky installs?

Yeah, condensation was a game changer for me too - swapping out the old windows pretty much solved it overnight. I went with double glazing mainly because triple just seemed like overkill for my spot (plus, my frames weren’t happy about the extra weight). For one awkward window, I actually tried secondary glazing. Not as slick as a full replacement, but honestly, it helped with both noise and drafts. If you’re dealing with weird window shapes or don’t want to rip everything out, it’s worth a look.

For one awkward window, I actually tried secondary glazing.

I get what you mean about secondary glazing. I tried it on a couple of my oddball windows - honestly wasn’t expecting much, but it did cut down on the street noise more than I thought. Not as pretty, but didn’t have to tear up the whole frame either. Double glazing made a bigger difference for me, though. Soundproof curtains? Ehh, I’ve tried those too. They help a bit, but if you’re dealing with actual city racket, they’re more like putting a band-aid on a broken pipe.

I hear you on the “band-aid on a broken pipe” thing with soundproof curtains - couldn’t have put it better myself. Secondary glazing’s not glamorous, but it’s a solid compromise when you’re stuck with weird window shapes. I’ve seen people throw money at fancy curtains and get underwhelming results, especially in older buildings. If you’re after real peace and quiet, proper glazing’s where the magic happens, even if it’s a pain to install.

I get where you’re coming from about curtains not being a miracle fix, but I actually had a bit of luck with layered curtains plus some weatherstripping. Not total silence, but it did knock down the worst traffic noise. If you’re renting or on a tight budget, sometimes “good enough” is all you need for sanity. Glazing’s awesome, just not always doable right away.

Not total silence, but it did knock down the worst traffic noise.

- Can confirm, layering curtains plus weatherstripping helps, especially in older homes with drafty windows.
- Found that adding a heavy blackout curtain over a basic thermal one made a bigger difference than I expected.
- Also tried acoustic caulk around window frames - cheap and not too messy.
- Secondary glazing is gold for noise, but yeah, cost and install are real barriers.
- For renters or anyone not ready to rip out windows, these small fixes really do buy some peace of mind.

Tried a bunch of these fixes over the years - old house, lots of street noise. Heavy curtains did help, but honestly, the real game changer was sealing every gap I could find. Acoustic caulk around the window frame made more difference than I expected, especially paired with weatherstripping. Secondary glazing is great but yeah, it’s pricey and not really a DIY weekend project. For now, the layered curtains plus sealing up drafts are keeping things tolerable. Not perfect, but definitely quieter than before.

Honestly, I gotta say, I tried the caulking and weatherstripping route too, but in my case, it didn’t make a huge dent. Maybe my windows are just too old? Swapping out for those thick, double-layer “blackout” curtains actually made the biggest difference for me - plus, way less hassle than hunting down every draft. Guess it really depends on the house and where that noise is sneaking in...

- If your windows are older, especially single-pane, air gaps and thin glass really limit what caulking or weatherstripping can do.
- Blackout curtains help with both noise and light, but they're usually only effective for higher frequencies - low rumbles still sneak through.
- Sometimes, replacing sashes or adding storm windows gives a bigger sound reduction than curtains alone. Have you checked if the frames themselves are letting in noise? I’ve seen a lot of older wood frames shrink and create hidden gaps...

Yeah, those old wood frames are sneaky. In my place, I thought new weatherstripping would do the trick, but it turned out there were gaps around the window trim that I’d never noticed. Ended up stuffing some insulation in there and it helped more than the thickest curtains ever did. Curtains are nice for blocking out some sound, but honestly, once I swapped to double-pane sashes, the difference was night and day. Still get a bit of street rumble, but at least I can sleep through it now. Sometimes it’s just layers on layers before you finally get some peace.