"don't underestimate the value of weatherstripping tape."
Totally agree on this. Weatherstripping was a game changer for me too, especially around older windows that never quite line up right. I skipped acoustic caulk myself—honestly, regular silicone did the job fine and was cheaper. A buddy of mine swears acoustic caulk made a big difference for him, but his place was directly facing a busy intersection, so maybe it depends on how bad your noise situation is?
One other small tip: if you haven't yet, check your window frames themselves. I found a few loose screws and hinges that were letting in more noise than I realized. Tightening those up helped way more than I expected.
Good points here. Weatherstripping definitely helps, but sometimes the noise issue runs deeper. A few years back, I worked on an older apartment downtown—beautiful place, but the street noise was brutal. The owner had already tried curtains and weatherstripping with limited success. Eventually, we swapped out the old single-pane windows for acoustic-grade double panes. Honestly, the difference was night and day. Not cheap, but if you're dealing with constant city traffic or loud neighbors, it might be worth considering down the line.
Yeah, acoustic windows definitely make a difference if you've got serious noise issues. Used to live next to a busy bus route—curtains barely helped. Switched to acoustic-grade windows eventually; pricey but worth every penny for finally getting some sleep...
Acoustic windows can definitely be a game changer, especially in busy urban areas. Still, I've seen cases where people installed high-quality acoustic windows but overlooked the frames and seals—noise still snuck in through tiny gaps. Did you find you had to upgrade the whole window frame too, or were the acoustic panes alone enough? Curious because sometimes folks underestimate how sneaky noise can be...
Yeah, acoustic windows can help a lot, but you're totally right about the frames and seals. I learned this the hard way myself. When we first moved into our place, we swapped out just the glass panes thinking it'd be enough. Nope... still heard every honk and siren like it was right in our living room. Eventually, we bit the bullet and upgraded the frames too—made a huge difference. Honestly, noise is sneaky as hell; it'll find any tiny gap to creep through.
If you're already investing in acoustic windows, might as well check the frames and seals thoroughly. It sucks spending extra money, but doing it halfway usually ends up costing more in the long run. Good luck though, city noise is no joke.
Totally agree on frames and seals—learned that lesson myself. A few things I found helpful:
- Acoustic curtains are decent as a quick fix, but don't expect miracles. They mostly help soften echoes inside.
- Upgrading windows (glass + frames) was the real game changer for us. Worth every penny.
- Also, check vents and outlets... noise sneaks in there too.
City living has its perks, but quiet nights aren't one of them, haha. Good luck!
I went down the acoustic curtain route first, hoping it'd be enough... nope. Ended up biting the bullet and upgrading windows too—huge difference. Curious though, anyone tried sealing around electrical boxes? Wondering if that's worth the hassle or just overkill.
I sealed around my electrical boxes when I did my home office—honestly, it was a bit tedious, but it did help cut down on some sneaky drafts and minor noise leaks. Not a huge difference like windows, but every little bit counts, right?
I totally get where you're coming from on sealing the electrical boxes—tedious indeed, but it does make a subtle difference. Reminds me of a job I did last summer in a downtown apartment. The client had tried everything from curtains to weather stripping, but the city noise was relentless. Eventually, we went with acoustic-grade windows, and it was like night and day. The funny thing is, after installing them, the client realized how noisy their fridge was...never noticed before because of all the traffic noise masking it.
But yeah, sealing gaps around boxes or outlets can help—though usually more with drafts than noise. Have you looked into soundproof curtains yet? I've heard mixed reviews about them...some swear by them, others say they're more decorative than functional. Curious if anyone's had real success with curtains alone, or if windows are truly the way to go.
I've gotta say, acoustic windows are great if you've got the budget, but don't write off soundproof curtains just yet. I used some heavy-duty ones in my old place near a busy intersection, and honestly, they made a noticeable difference—especially at night. Sure, they're not gonna block out sirens completely, but they definitely softened the constant hum of traffic. Plus, they're way cheaper and easier to install than new windows...might be worth trying first before committing to something pricier.