Windows For Noise Pollution

Let’s face it: life is saturated with sound. Some of those sounds, like a backyard creek or chirping birds, can be restful and welcome. But other sounds like roaring traffic, a neighbor’s too-loud party and nearby construction can be irritating and stressful. This unwanted sound—or noise—can interrupt your sleep, your conversations or your leisure time. Excessive noise can even affect your hearing and your mental well-being.

The only way to limit our exposure to this onslaught of noise while we’re in our homes is to install high quality windows designed to reduce noise pollusion as much as possible.

- There are some basic principles about windows & noise reduction:

- The thicker the glass the less noise can get through.

- More sound gets through the larger the glass area, but not enough to make a big difference in architectural glass windows.

- Laminated glass is particularly useful in reducing noise.

- Dual glazing less than an inch in overall thickness doesn’t really reduce sound that well.

- If you really want to use dual glazed units, maximize their noise canceling ability by coupling two lites of glass of different thickness, or make sure one is laminated.

A window’s effectiveness at blocking sound is determined by its STC or sound transmission class so when you’re looking for replacement windows it’s a good idea to pay attention to that number

Mon-ray, one of the replacement window brands The Window Man features, specializes in s acoustical replacement windows, acoustical storm windows, and acoustical storm doors and its window systems are tailored to maximize STC ratings. For example, a Mon-Ray model 504 double hung aluminum storm window glazed with a single pane of 1/8” thick glass has an STC rating of 29.

Different Mon-ray products can be combined to fit your specific needs. Contact The Window Man today to discuss which Mon-ray configuration is the best fit.