Noise-Reducing Windows: What Works Best for Soundproofing Your Home

Your home is your sanctuary, a place to escape the hustle and bustle of the outside world. However, the intrusion of outdoor noise can disrupt your peace and quiet, making it difficult to relax.

You can close your doors and dim the lights, but reducing unwanted noise isn’t always so simple. If you live in a busy city or are next to heavy traffic flow or railway lines, noise pollution can constantly irritate your quality of life.

Much of the noise you hear inside your home comes through your windows.

By replacing your current windows with soundproof ones, you can effectively eliminate unwanted noise and restore a peaceful and relaxing environment in your home.

How Glass Panes Soundproof Your Windows

Single Pane Windows

Understanding the science behind soundproofing is crucial. Glass panes, being rigid structures, are ideal for conducting sound waves. A single pane of glass, however, does little to stop unwanted sounds from entering your home.

The ‘speed of sound’ is actually a pressure wave travelling at over 700 miles per hour. It vibrates the windowpane and the air on the other side of your window; the sound goes straight to your ears without diluting much.

Double-Pane Windows

Having two panes of glass with a spacer in between offers a good balance of noise reduction and affordability. They are a popular choice for residential homes. Double-pane windows, also known as double-glazed windows, disrupt soundwave vibrations passing through the glass. The two glass panes are not in direct contact, so the sound waves are dampened, resulting in less noise entering your home.

While it may not be possible to fully soundproof your home, adding double (or triple) glazed windows can significantly reduce outside noise pollution and give you a more comfortable environment. The most common gas between double panes is Argon gas, which is denser than the atmosphere and has different soundwave properties from standard atmospheric air for extra noise-reducing properties.

Triple-Pane Windows

Three panes of glass with two layers of gas in between provide excellent insulation, energy efficiency, and noise reduction. They are particularly beneficial in areas with high noise levels. With three glass panes and two air pockets, they significantly reduce heat transfer over double-pane windows. However, it should be noted that with the extra weight of the three panes, this type of window may cause wear on the hardware.

Laminated Glass 

Laminated glass uses two panes of glass with a plastic (like polyvinyl butyral) layer in between, effectively blocking sound waves and enhancing security. Laminated glass is robust. In the event of a break, the interlayers hold up the strength of the structure. Installing a thick piece of laminated glass disrupts the noise waves from travelling through the glass, making it a great soundproofing choice.

Why Choose Noise-Reducing Windows for Soundproofing 

Simply replacing your windows with new ones will not soundproof your room unless you get ones with suitable properties. Secondary glazing options, noise-reduction glass, and even noise-reduction windows (designed with noise reduction in mind) will help with soundproofing.

Fasada offers Vinyl Windows by Vinylbilt Windows to provide excellent insulation, energy efficiency, noise reduction, and long-lasting performance while giving a beautiful visual appeal.

Qualities to Look for to Soundproof Your Home

Thicker glass: The thicker the glass, the less noise you will hear.

Laminated layers: PVB (polyvinyl butyral) can be added between the glass sheets to reduce noise without affecting glass clarity.

Space between panes: The greater the gap between the panes of glass, the better the protection. Add heavy gases, such as argon, to reduce noise even more.

Window coverings can also add an extra layer of protection. While none are entirely soundproof, window shutters, soundproof, and insulating blinds can all reduce noise.

Have More Questions about How to Make Windows Soundproof?

Schedule a consultation with one of our expert designers at your home or our Fasada showroom located in Oakville. We can recommend the best replacement windows and discuss the many different styles and designs that will give your home the look you want. By reducing the noise from the outside world, you can create a quiet and relaxing environment.

With a commitment to excellence, Fasada has been a leading window and door supplier to residents of Oakville and the GTA since 1999. Collaborate with our experienced team and enjoy the peace of mind that comes with our custom home solutions, as thousands of satisfied customers have.

Don't wait any longer to transform your home with Fasada. BOOK YOUR APPOINTMENT today and transform your home with Fasada: Beautiful Homes - Healthy Homes.