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| Author: | Judithn |
| Subject: | Interior Windows for Noise Control? |
| Posted At: | 2004-08-26 03:14:05 |
I've pretty much decided that the only way to fix my home's noise problem (traffic noise particularly during rush hour( is to add interior windows to my existing contractor grade double paned glass windows. Now, I am trying to choose a brand. Each company says their windows cut noise like 90% and have testimonials on their websites, but I can't find any corroborating information, and I don't like taking the manufacturers word that these things work. Anyone have any experience with this stuff?
The main differences between the products I've looked at is material and installation. Basically, there are custom sized glass inserts or acrylic. Neither of the glass insert companies install their product I'd have to install the windows myself. They both say installation is easy, but at $500 for each window, I'm not sure I want to try. The so-called optical acrylic insert, is a little less expensive -- like $100 less per window, but the company has an installer in my area who will come measure my windows and install the windows for $50 each. Does any
one have experience with this?
| Author: | Oberon |
| In Reply To: | Interior Windows for Noise Control? (posted by Judithn) |
| Subject: | RE: Interior Windows for Noise Control? |
| Posted At: | 2004-08-26 22:54:18 |
Hi Judith,
Noise control seems to be an "in" topic here recently!
I would personally stay far away from a plastic insert. Doesn't matter if it is acrylic (plexiglass) or poly-carbonate (Lexan)...
What you need to stop noise is density and neither of those products approaches glass for density. In fact, if you were to install an 1/8" glass lite, you would need a 1/4" of plastic for the same sound-loss value. Also, plastic scratches very easily and will tend to deteriorate in a window as the sun beats down on it...note that I am not talking about plastic (vinyl) as in windows frames, I am talking about clear plexiglass and polycarbonate (trying to avoid a real controversy there!) used in place of glass.
The real secret of getting your money worth on an interior sound "screen" though is to ensure proper installation (big surprise). You MUST ensure that whatever product you decide on is installed very "tightly" when installation is complete. Any air leakage around the sound screen and you will not be happy.
One advantage of the add-on sound screen is that you will have a relatively large dead-air space between the window and the screen. This dead air space won't offer much energy savings (note lots of posts concerning that idea!), but the larger airspace will help significantly with sound control - IF it is installed correctly.
Good luck, and please feel free to ask if you have more questions or concerns.
| Author: | FenEx |
| In Reply To: | RE: Interior Windows for Noise Control? (posted by Oberon) |
| Subject: | RE: Interior Windows for Noise Control? |
| Posted At: | 2004-08-26 22:59:42 |
LOL.. ok... I'll bite.... what was that about dead air spaces and energy savings??? Got me curious.
| Author: | Oberon |
| In Reply To: | RE: Interior Windows for Noise Control? (posted by FenEx) |
| Subject: | RE: Interior Windows for Noise Control? |
| Posted At: | 2004-08-27 12:33:35 |
LOL - okay, I should have been a bit more specific...I KNOW you know what I meant, but I get the point.
Judith, sometimes when a company that specializes in sound control attempts to sell an interior sound screen, they will also drop all kinds of "information" about why their screen also will increase the energy efficincy of the window as a whole as a side benefit.
IF the screen is installed correctly (tight), and the original windows tend to be leaky around the sash, then there can be a benefit. But, if the windows are reasonably tight to start with the addition of the sound screen will not affect the energy performance of the window.
When a window manufacturer sticks two lites (pieces) of glass together and calls it an insulating glass window (IG) they are very careful with the separation of the two pieces of glass. For non-LowE glass, the optimum separation is 1/2" to 3/4". Any wider and the combination of heat on one lite and cool on the other will set up convection currents within the IG and the energy advantage will be gone.
For optimum sound attenuation though, the larger the space between the two lites, the better the performance. So what is best for sound is not best for energy.
As I said earlier, some companies who offer sound screens make HUGE claims how their product will also affect energy performance as well. Nope, just sales-guy talk.
Hope this makes sense.