We’ve all been there. Trying to enjoy a peaceful time at home or sleeping, only for it to be interrupted by disturbances from outside. Whether it be kids playing in the street or loud cars driving past late at night, no one wants excess noise making its way into their house. So what can you do to reduce the noise? One way is to soundproof your windows, and here’s some tips for how to do that.
What noise is
Noise is an energy formed by vibrations that move and vibrate the particles around it to make it travel. It can pass through solid objects and through the air until it reaches the ear, where it finally becomes a sound.
To stop the sound from traveling, it must be interrupted by certain materials that work to keep some noises out, or via a vacuum (area with no particles where the sound can’t pass through).
The trouble then comes when you want to keep certain noises out of your home. You are more likely to face issues with noise pollution if your residence has single-glazed windows, so here are some ideas for how to make your windows soundproof.
Double glazing
You may think of double glazing as the method to keep your house warm, but it works in the same way to keep noise at bay. Double glazing is essentially two panes of glass with a vacuum between them. It is this vacuum that stops the passing of heat from one particle to another, as well as stopping the vibrations passing through as well.
Replacing old windows and installing double glazing into your home can greatly reduce the amount of noise that enters through the windows, as well as a whole host of other benefits such as making your home more energy-efficient.
Secondary glazing
Double glazing is not always possible when considering how to best soundproof your home. This could be due to the cost of replacing every window in your home being too great, or even that your home is a listed building that prevents the windows from being changed at all. This does not mean that you can’t make your house windows soundproof.
Secondary glazing is a thin and discreet extra barrier that is put on the inside of your windows. This works in the same way as double glazing, but is not one cohesive unit. The extra pane will sit flush with the windowsill, making a tightly sealed frame that you can still adorn with blinds or curtains to style your room. As the secondary glazing does not affect the original windows or the aesthetics of the window frames, this makes them an ideal solution for those in listed or historic homes.
Curtains
Although this may not be the most practical solution for noise that occurs during the day time, investing in some thick curtains is likely to keep more noise out of your home at night. Some options available include branded, noise reduction curtains specifically tailored for this issue. There are also ‘blackout’ curtains that are primarily designed to block excess light but also work to reduce excess noise as well due to their thickness.
This works as a more budget-friendly alternative to replacing or adding panes to your windows, and can even add to your home decor with added practical benefits.
Contact us today to find out how we can help soundproof your home by installing new double glazed windows or secondary glazing.