If you have ever stayed in a home located in an urban area or on a busy street, you have likely experienced the frustration that noise from the outside can cause. But even homes located in less congested areas can still let noise in -- from sources like barking dogs, lawnmowers, and leaf blowers. Noise reduction windows can be a lifesaver in these situations, since they allow for plenty of light and views but can keep the amount of sound down to a tolerable level.
Noise reduction windows don't look any different than other new replacement windows, but they contain special features that function to reduce the transmission of sound waves from the outside to the inside of the home. Multiple panes of glass are required to muffle the sound that passes through the panes, but it's important that the panes be of different thicknesses. This is because the varying thicknesses of window glass are able to effectively block out different noise frequency levels. For the maximum in noise reduction windows, look for triple pane windows where each pane is a different thickness from the other two panes.
Another important feature that noise reduction windows need to have is sufficient space between the multiple panes of glass. If the panes of glass are too close together, the sound reduction capability of this window will be compromised. The spacing does not have to be large enough to be noticeable; just a few millimeters are sufficient space between the panes for optimal noise blocking.
Laminated glass can help to increase the effectiveness of noise reduction windows. This means that a thin layer of plastic is securely bonded in between two layers of glass. This plastic helps to block the transmission of sound waves to reduce the noise level that is transmitted to the home's interior. In addition to helping to reduce noise, laminated glass also offers the additional benefit of helping to block the sun's harmful ultraviolet rays from damaging the carpets and furnishings inside the home.
The best-made noise reduction windows can be rendered ineffective if they aren't properly installed. Look for an experienced window installer to complete this work; be sure to ask for references so that you will have confidence in the result. Noise reduction windows must be surrounded by insulation, installed correctly, and then properly sealed in order to do their job at reducing the sound that enters through the windows.