Mar 2, 2022
Do Triple Glazed Windows Reduce Noise?
Triple glazed (or triple pane) windows are made of three glass panels with air gaps between them. They are more expensive than double pane windows, which have just one air gap between the two panes.
Double glazed windows stop more sound than single pane windows. That doesn’t mean that triple glazed is better.
Triple glazed windows have more layers than double pane windows with the extra pane. Studies have shown they don’t block much more noise. Why don’t triple pane windows block significantly more sound? They don’t have sufficient space between each pane of glass, which is part of what helps trap unwanted noise. They also don’t have sufficient mass to act as a barrier to sound.
Measuring Noise Reduction
We use Sound Transmission Class (STC) ratings to measure how much sound a window blocks. They are an objective way to compare diminished noise, and the higher the number the better.
Single pane windows have an STC of 26 to 28, while double pane windows clock in at 26 to 32. A triple pane window with each pane the same strength and thickness earns an STC rating of about 29.
Cut the Noise with Sun and Sound Windows
Our soundproof window inserts have an STC rating of 48 if you have double pane windows.
While STC rating increases may seem small, each increase of 10 in an STC rating halves the sound. With an STC rating of 48, loud speech is largely unheard.
The laminated glass we use for our soundproof window inserts is windshield glass. It’s made from two 1/8-inch-thick pieces of laminated glass, connected with a flexible membrane. The membrane keeps the glass from vibrating with sound waves (which helps stop the noise), and the greater mass of the glass also helps block more sound.
When we install these soundproof window inserts, we place them about two inches away from your existing windows to create a sufficient sound trap. We also check that we make a good seal to block sound waves. Together, the higher mass of the windows, the solid seal and the air gap creates the high STC rating of 48.
Our soundproof window inserts block up to 95% of high-pitched noises like bus brakes and pool pumps and up to 75% of low-pitched noise like air-conditioners and traffic.
They don’t change the look of your home (and are approved for historic houses), and we can usually install them in just a day with no mess.
Click here or get in touch with us to get a free estimate for your windows in any shape and size.
Feb 10, 2021
Most municipal jurisdictions have noise ordinances, as do some counties with unincorporated but high-density population areas. If you have neighbors playing music all day or have annoying barking dogs, you will need to do some research on how to file a noise complaint. Your local 311 or police department may have an online form for reporting a nuisance, but the fastest and most direct way is typically to make a phone call.
Most states delegate noise control and ordinances to their local municipalities. Those municipalities, in turn, have noise ordinances and procedures for reporting noise complaints.
Some Examples under Texas Law:
Austin: The Austin Noise Ordinance states that no one can make an unreasonable noise between the hours of 10:30 p.m. and 7 a.m. or create a sound or vibration more than 30 feet from a vehicle. Austin residents can call 311 to place a noise complaint.
Dallas: The City of Dallas noise ordinance has a straightforward preamble: “No person shall make or cause to be made any loud and raucous noise in the city which is offensive to the ordinary sensibilities of inhabitants…(or makes) enjoyment of life or property uncomfortable…” To report noise complaints in Dallas, citizens should call 311.
Houston: The Houston Sound Ordinance states that sound cannot exceed 65 decibels during the day and 58 decibels at night in residential areas. Any sound levels over those limits require a permit. Don’t call 911 for non-emergency situations.
Can You File a Noise Complaint Against Neighbors Playing Music?
The steps you should follow in filing a noise complaint against a neighbor are listed in our recent blog, How Loud Can My Neighbors Play Music? If you believe that personally confronting someone might make the situation worse, your local government office or police station may be of help in showing you how to file a noise complaint anonymously.
For filing a noise complaint against a neighbor, most municipalities ask for detailed information. Whatever you write down on the form will normally be confidential unless the information might be required in criminal proceedings.
Advice for Apartment Residents
Check your lease. If it has a quiet enjoyment clause, it means that everyone in your complex has the right to live free from noise disturbances made by others. Your lease may also include quiet hours that coincide with local city ordinances. Those are the times where neighbors are expected to keep the volume down.
Dealing with Loud Neighbors Playing Music All Day
The sound of footsteps from the apartment above at night isn’t necessarily a cause for complaint, because everyone has a right for reasonable use of their home. However, if the neighbor continually blasts loud music, has an annoying yapping dog, or engages in loud fights after a spouse comes home drunk late at night, your rights to quiet enjoyment are clearly being violated. You have a basis to complain.
If you determine your complaint is legitimate, chances are your other neighbors are experiencing the same.
Steps You Can Take
A courtesy knock might work. Just knock a couple times on an adjoining wall to remind the neighbor to please keep the noise down. Reasonable people will get the hint. Be careful not to pound on the wall, as it could come across as aggressive behavior.
Pay your neighbor a polite visit. If the knock doesn’t work, try a friendly approach. Remind your neighbor of the apartment quiet hours. Don’t leave a note. Written notes come across as snarky and passive aggressive. If you’re not comfortable with personal confrontation, check with your apartment’s courtesy officer or head of the tenants’ association. Contact your neighbors, who could also provide you with backup.
If all else fails, contact the landlord. Keep a record of the noise disturbances and what you have done to try to solve the problem yourself. Your landlord has a legal responsibility to provide a safe and comfortable environment for all tenants. If nothing has worked to resolve the problem of the noisy neighbor, send the landlord an email outlining your concerns.
If necessary, remind the landlord of city noise laws and the provisions of your lease. Tell the landlord that your next step will be to file a formal noise ordinance complaint. If the situation continues, file the noise complaint with your local government. (See above.)
Soundproof Your Home and Apartment
Remedies for noise disturbances typically amount to someone telling the noisy person to turn the volume down or face a fine. You could also bring a noise nuisance lawsuit or have the police cite the person for disturbing the peace.
In ordinary circumstances, however, the best approach is to soundproof your home. There are complaint-proof noise intrusions like street traffic and other environmental noises that are amenable to a permanent remedy. You can enhance the quiet enjoyment of your home or apartment and restore peace and quiet with Sun & Sound window panels. They are not window replacements. They are panels that soundproof your existing windows to insulate your home from outside noise.
Ready to get some peace and quiet? Click the button below to get started, or give us a call for more information.
Jan 16, 2019
You have options for noise reduction window inserts. Here’s the top questions to ask to compare them.
1. What is the STC (Sound Transmission Class) rating of the noise reduction window inserts?
An STC rating is the industry standard for measuring sound abatement of building partitions like walls, windows and doors. Ratings are obtained by a standard process that measures the number of decibels a partition can stop. The higher the number of the STC rating, the better the ability to block noise.
2. How does the sound abatement capability (the STC) of my noise reduction window inserts compare to my walls?
In other words, if the inserts have a better STC than your walls, you need to know up front so you can set realistic expectations about the end result. For example, the STC rating for a typical residential brick veneer wall is in the 52-54 range. Each increase of 10 in an STC rating halves the sound.
Learn more about things that affect STC ratings for walls
3. Is the clear part of the insert made of glass or acrylic?
The two most common choices are 1/4″ thick acoustic grade glass (laminated glass) and 1/4″ thick acrylic. Laminated glass has a significantly higher STC rating than acrylic because it has more mass per square foot.
4. How will soundproof window inserts filter the type of noise I am experiencing?
A small dog’s bark is usually higher-pitched than a large dog’s bark. High-pitched noise is easier to stop than low-pitched noise. Noise reduction window inserts will block less low-pitched sound and more high-pitched sound. Knowing this will help you set expectations based on the source of your noise.
5. What is your part in the process?
Some companies offer a DIY product, and others are full-service. They have different approaches to the process, pricing, installation, custom sizes and other preferences. We are a turnkey company. We visit your location to bring samples and discuss your needs, make the measurements, manufacture the product and install the product.
Interested in learning more? Ask us your questions about soundproofing your apartment, home, office or hotel. Call us for a quick estimate by phone or submit our online form below.
281-336-8685
