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| Author: | Jackie |
| Subject: | Noise coming through vinyl windows |
| Posted At: | 2004-09-21 16:44:38 |
Does anybody else who have a problem with a lot of traffic noise coming through their windows? I bought new vinyl windows a few months ago and loved them up until I noticed how much noise I can hear. A friend of mine also complained of the same problem with her new windows. I had mentioned my concern to the salesman and had asked him about tempered glass but he said I did not need it, but never gave me any other option. I thought he was trying to save me money and he knew what he was talking about. Our bedroom is in the front, and I can hear every car and bus that goes by. I know laminated glass would have helped some, but it is very expensive. I wear ear plugs at night. My husband does not seemed bothered by the noise. Is this a common problem with any new replacement double glazed window?
Regards,
Jackie
| Author: | Oberon |
| In Reply To: | Noise coming through vinyl windows (posted by Jackie) |
| Subject: | RE: Noise coming through vinyl windows |
| Posted At: | 2004-09-21 21:36:32 |
Jackie,
A couple of questions:
Did you have single pane windows before the replacement?
You mentioned traffic noise - do you hear other sounds such as children yelling or loud music (not just base, but the whole range)?
You were correct that laminated glass would help with the noise problem, but tempered glass would make no difference at all. Tempering glass does not noticeably affect sound transmission.
I have a couple of thoughts, but will withold them until I get your answers to the questions...your answers will suggest possible scenarios.
| Author: | Jackie |
| In Reply To: | RE: Noise coming through vinyl windows (posted by Oberon) |
| Subject: | RE: Noise coming through vinyl windows |
| Posted At: | 2004-09-22 22:01:45 |
Oberon:
Yes, cars, buses, kids talking, dogs barking. I had wood storm windows before and could hear the noise, but more muffled I guess because of the airspace between storm and the single pane window. I am thinking of upgrading my bedroom sashes to triple pane laminated glass.
Do you think this will deaden the sound some?
Regards,
Jackie
| Author: | Oberon |
| In Reply To: | RE: Noise coming through vinyl windows (posted by Jackie) |
| Subject: | RE: Noise coming through vinyl windows |
| Posted At: | 2004-09-23 19:14:21 |
Contrary to widely accepted belief, triple pane does not increase TL (sound Transmission Loss) better than does dual pane.
The important part of an IG - referring to sound deadening abilty - is the airspace between the glass panes. A wider airspace means better sound attenuation or deadening. Unfortunately, a wider airspace may also mean less energy efficiency.
If you build a triple pane using three lites of 1/8" (3.0mm also known as double strength) with 1/4" airspace between the lites, and you build a dual pane also with 1/8" glass and 1/2" between the lites, the sound attenuation is virtually identical.
You were exactly correct when you considered that the exterior storm windows helped to control how much noise you heard previously. There was a greater distance between the glass in the storm window and the interior glass of the window than you have now. That larger airspace contributed to sound deadening...but now you have dual pane windows and less airspace between the lites means somewhat less ability to attenuate the noise...as you have noticed.
Laminated glass will stop a significant amount of the noise you are now hearing. Using lites of different thicknesses in an IG will also help some. Both of these "fixes" will affect primarily higher frequency sounds. Low frequncy sounds such as traffic will be less affected by either of those fixes than will higher frequecy sounds such as voices, dog barking, etc.
Another possibility is a "sound screen" which is like a removeable "storm window" that can be used to create a wider airspace.
But, there is also the possibility that your windows were not installed as tightly as they could have been. Any air that can get through the window will carry more sound energy than you can imagine. So ensuring that there is good insulation and a good seal in and around the windows may help as well.
Hope this helps a little...
Please keep in touch and let us know how it is going!
| Author: | Jackie |
| In Reply To: | RE: Noise coming through vinyl windows (posted by Oberon) |
| Subject: | RE: Noise coming through vinyl windows |
| Posted At: | 2004-09-24 19:36:18 |
Hi, thank you for your response. You know what you are talking about. I can feel a little air coming through where the two sashes meet on cold days. I read this is a weak area in double hung windows were the two sashes meet. Also I was thinking of triple pane for better heat control in the summer as the three bedroom windows face South West. Should I replace two sashes in one bedroom window with laminate double-pane?
Jackie
| Author: | Oberon |
| In Reply To: | RE: Noise coming through vinyl windows (posted by Jackie) |
| Subject: | RE: Noise coming through vinyl windows |
| Posted At: | 2004-09-24 21:42:21 |
Generally speaking, triple pane is used in colder climates. A dual pane window with a softcoat Low-E will give you substantial energy savings in a warm climate.
The biggest advantage of triple pane in either a warm climate or a cold climate is the ability to have two surfaces with the Low-E coating. The question becomes, if you live in a moderate climate, is the additional expense worth it in energy savings?
Even in a very severe climate, a dual pane with a warm-edge spacer and an inert gas infill mounted in a "good" window will perform very well.
As has been mentioned here many times, a good window installed poorly may not be any better than an average window with a really good installation.
As to your question concerning a dual pane laminated glass, it will improve sound attenuation (sound deadening -attenuation is the opposite of amplification).
The laminated glass will also block about 99% of the UV light that causes fading on your carpeting, furniture, etc.
At that function (blocking UV) it actually outperforms the Low-E. But, laminated glass does very little to block infrared radiation or to block heat flow thru the window. Low-E is desigend for that function.
One nice thing about laminated is the safety aspects, which is why it is the window of choice in hurricane prone areas.
Would laminated glass block all the noise you are now hearing? Probably not, especially at low frequencies.
But it would cut out a significant amount of the higher frequencies (again, and it cannot be overemphasized, when in a good window and properly installed).
Actually, an aluminum saah and frame is your best choice for aound attenuation, but the worst choice for energy efficiency...funny how all those areas conflict isn't it?
Jackie, while I cannot specifically tell you what would be the best choice in your specific situation, I can compliment you on doing your homework and becoming well informed prior to making your decision.
Looking forward to more discussion.