Sound Abatement
First of all, double pane windows are designed for energy efficiency, not for sound abatement. They are made with two thin panes of glass, held slightly apart to make a small gap between them.
The small gap is often filled with an inert gas to provide resistance to energy transfer.

The problem with this design from a soundproof perspective is that the two panes are too thin, and the gap is too small.

In contrast, soundproof (sound reduction) windows are designed with as large a gap between panes as is practical, and at least one pane as thick as is practical - almost opposite of typical double pane window design. If your double pane windows let quite a bit of sound into your home or office, it is really not the window's fault. Standard double pane windows are NOT designed to be soundproof windows.

Let's compare the STC rating of a single pane window to a double pane window. The single pane is STC 22-25; the double pane window is STC 27-32. That's not much of a difference. Now, compare a single pane window with our soundproof insert - an STC rating of 40-42. That's a huge difference. Add our soundproof window to a double-paned window and get an STC of 45-50!

What are your window inserts made of?
There are three components that make up the window inserts: The steel frame, the magnetic channel and optical-grade acrylic.

The steel frame is installed in the window opening. It is painted with a coating that will not discolor, and is warranted for as long as you own your home.

The magnetic channel (which holds the window in place) is constructed of a special ABS/PVC alloy with a UV inhibitor. This alloy has several qualities that make it superior to rigid PVC and other materials: a higher gloss, higher thermal deformation temperature, much greater durability, and resistance to discoloration. A continuous strip of flexible permanent bar magnet is inserted into the channel. It is assembled using a patented channel, rather than glues or adhesives that could fail. This ensures a lifetime of trouble-free operation.

The magnetic channel securely holds a crystal-clear sheet of optical-grade acrylic in place to complete the insulation process, creating the most efficient system available anywhere. We do NOT use Plexiglas™.

How long does it take for you to install your window inserts?
It usually takes one day or less for most residential properties.

Commercial buildings vary significantly in size. Small retail strip center suites can be done in one-to-two days. Office installations vary from one day to a week and hotels can take up to 3 weeks.

What do your window inserts look like after they are installed?
In most instances, they are barely noticeable from the inside and can’t be seen from the outside at all. Our interior window inserts have a very small frame measuring slightly less than one inch. They come in standard white or dark bronze, or can be painted to match most window frames or wall colors.

How long do your window inserts last?
Our windows are warranted for as long as you own your home, and is transferrable when you sell your home. The materials we use have been in real life conditions for more than 28 years with excellent results.

Do your window inserts fit arches, 'eyebrows' and other non-rectangular window shapes?
Yes. Our windows are custom-made on site to fit most shapes and sizes.

Will your window inserts work on sliding-glass patio doors?
Yes. We have two solutions for sliding-glass patio doors, our standard magnetic windows, or our new laminated glass solution. Our standard magnetic windows can be removed each time the sliding-glass patio doors are used, which, if used frequently, can be inconvenient. However, our new sliding-glass solution with laminated glass matches the function of your existing sliding-glass patio doors by allowing you to open them conveniently.

Will your window inserts interfere with my window blinds or coverings?
In most cases there is plenty of room to have both the window inserts and your blinds on the inside of the window frame. If the blinds need to be moved out a little, or repositioned, we usually do that at no cost to you.

Is Tinting Available?
Yes. Tinted acrylic is actually a dye placed in the acrylic when it is being made. Because it is part of the acrylic sheet, it won't peel or bubble over time. Tinted films should not be applied directly to acrylic windows due to the unknown nature of the adhesives and workmanship. Applying tinted films to acrylic windows will void our warranty.

How do I clean your window inserts?
We will supply you with enough cleaner to clean about 150 windows. We can supply you additional cleaner for $5.00 per bottle. You can also use a very mild dish soap diluted in lukewarm water (3%). Always use a soft cloth like an old T-shirt to wash and dry the windows. NOTE: Do NOT use any cleaners that contain ammonia!

Do you have a warranty?
Yes. Sun & Sound Windows come with a warranty for as long as you own your home, and is transferrable when you sell your home.

What is the largest size window insert you can make?
There is no limit to the size of multi-paned windows we can handle. For one-piece 'picture windows' we can go up to 9'X12' in a single piece. If you have a very large window that you would like to access frequently, we recommend dividing the acrylic window insert to make it easier to handle.

Will acrylic yellow or crack?
No. Optical-grade acrylic like we use contains no styrene or other monomers that will deteriorate, causing yellowing and cracking. Through both laboratory and actual outdoor testing, over the last 28 years, 100% Optical-grade acrylic has been proven not to yellow or crack.

Why is acrylic used in place of glass?
There are several reasons: 1. It’s FOUR times more energy-efficient than glass. 2. It’s lightweight—acrylic is less than half the weight of glass. 3. It’s stronger than glass—acrylic has up to 17x greater impact resistance than ordinary glass of the same thickness. 4. It’s safer than glass— when subjected to a blow beyond its resistance, the hazard of injury is greatly reduced because acrylic breaks into large, relatively dull-edged pieces, which scatter at a low speed.

How much maintenance is required for your window inserts?
Our windows provide a maintenance-free, airtight seal year after year. You can count on a lifetime of dependable service from the high quality components used in manufacturing our windows. Cleaning is the only care that is required.

How much sound will be reduced with your window inserts?
Our soundproof insert (1/4" thick) reduces sound by 60%-70%. It has an STC rating of 40-42 when installed over a single pane window. If you have a double pane window, you will achieve an STC of 45-50 with our insert.

Our standard energy efficient insert (1/8" thick) reduces sound by 30%-35% when installed with a single-pane or double-pane window.

Let's compare the STC rating of a single pane window without a soundproof insert, to a double pane window without a soundproof insert. A single pane window is STC 22-25; a double pane window is only STC 27-32. That's not much of a difference.

How do I open, clean and service my existing windows?
Sun & Sound Windows are removable. The windowpanes have small handles so they can be easily pulled off of the fixed frame to open/clean/service the existing window. Our window inserts match the configuration of your existing windows, single-hung, double-hung, casement, etc., meaning you can remove just the section that covers the movable part of your existing windows.

How do your window inserts compare to storm windows?
Our window inserts are often referred to as interior storm windows because they fit over existing windows like traditional outside storm windows do.

Traditional exterior storm windows typically have a loose seal and weep holes to keep moisture from getting trapped between the existing windows and the storm window. This broken seal means very poor insulation. Our windows form a tight seal, creating an insulating barrier between our windows and the existing windows and keep moisture from ever reaching the existing window, reducing or eliminating condensation. Our system, tested without a prime window, in a simulated 25mph wind, exceeded the U.S. Department of Energy standards for storm windows by 200 times!

Traditional exterior storm windows are typically meant to be taken down during the temperate months so that existing windows can be easily opened. Ours can stay on all year, providing year-round energy savings and sound control.

Traditional outside storm windows are typically made to cover the complete window, making them large, heavy and cumbersome. Our window inserts match the configuration of your existing windows, single-hung, for example, meaning you can remove just the section that covers the movable part of your existing windows.

Traditional outside storm windows cannot be removed from inside the house like interior window inserts. Once removed, traditional outside storm windows need to be stored somewhere. Our window inserts can be magnetically affixed to the upper/lower pane over the part of your existing window that doesn’t open.

Traditional exterior storm windows are often quite noticeable from the outside. Our windows are effectively invisible from the outside and almost unnoticeable on the inside.  

What are They Made Of?
Built of an ABS/PVC/Ferrous alloy framing with clear, polymer-based acrylic glazing, the windows are 14-44 times as strong as glass, as clear as glass and will not discolor or crack over time. We use optical-grade acrylic, not Plexiglas. And our windows carry a warranty against material failure for as long as you you your home, which is transferrable when you sell your home.

Technical Data
Our windows have been rigorously tested by independent laboratories on every aspect of their performance, over a span of twenty years. The results are below:

Insulation
U-value of .48 in combination with single pane window, as determined by John M. Yellott Laboratories, Arizona, in tests performed August 5, 1982.

Heat loss reduction of 412.5 btu/hr/sg ft (from 687.0 to 274.5) when applied to single pane window. 60% net reduction of heat transfer. As determined by Architectural Testing Inc., York, PA, in tests performed January.

Air Infiltration
Less than .01 cfm/lineal foot crack space, compared to DOE standard for storm windows of 2.0. Tested with 25 mph wind equivalent at The Associated Laboratories , Dallas, using ASTM E-283 test method. Similar results at the John M. Yellott Laboratories, above.

Sound Control
STC (Sound Transmission Class) rating improves from 18 to 28 points when our soundproof window is added to single hung window. 19.2 sound decibel reduction, effective reduction of over 70%. Particularly effective in 1000 Hz range. As determined by Riverbank Acoustical Laboratories, Illinois, in tests performed April 22, 1988.

UV Control
Ultraviolet light waves between 300 and 355 reduced by 99.1% when passing through acrylic sheet. UV light waves between 360 and 375 reduced by 66.2%. As determined by DSET Laboratories, Inc., Phoenix, in tests performed October 31, 1986.

Glass versus Acrylic - A Thermal Resistance Comparison
Glass---5 to 6 btu/hr/sq ft/°F, according to CRC Handbook of Chemistry
Acrylic---0.7 to 1.7 btu/hr/sq ft/°F, according to Handbook of Plastics
This indicates that acrylic is 3 to 8 times more thermally insulating than glass

Magnetic Holding Force
12.0 lb/lin. ft, commercial grade
9.0 lb/lin. ft, residential grade