If you happen to live near a busy area, the noise can be problematic if you work outside the usual nine-to-five. It can even be more problematic if you work at home. If you are looking into getting new double-hung windows, this can be an opportunity to improve your work-from-home conditions. In today’s post, Renewal by Andersen of Kansas City explains how new windows can help make your home quieter.
Insulated Glass and Noise Reduction
It’s important to remember that the denser the material is, the better it transmits vibrations. On windows, the biggest component happens to be made of such a material: glass. Windows equipped with traditional single panel glass do not offer much in terms of soundproofing — it’s because they telegraph vibrations coming from the outside straight indoors. This is why in some homes, outdoor noise seems to get into the house even when the windows are closed.
Insulated glass, on the other hand, consists of two panels separated by a sealed space. While primarily designed to reduce thermal transfer, the same qualities also help reduce vibrations from getting into the indoor spaces. The sealed space between the glass panels have no air molecules to transmit heat or sound. Combined with insulated components like frames, including the bottom tracks on sliding windows, installing insulated windows can help make your home quieter.
How to Choose the Right Replacement Windows
Most replacement windows with insulated glass — like our own High Performance™ Low-E4® glass — offer noise reduction that’s sufficient for most residential locations. If you live in an area that’s exposed to constant loud noises like near a main thoroughfare or an airport, ask your replacement window contractor about windows with a high STC (sound transmission coefficient) rating. Standard windows with single pane glass have an STC rating between 28 to 32; the higher the rating, the better. Homes located in the aforementioned noisy areas require windows with at least 35 STC rating.
Renewal by Andersen of Kansas City is your leading provider of custom residential windows. Give us a call at (346) 229-1146. You can also fill out our contact form to schedule an appointment. We serve customers in Olathe, KS, and Independence, MO, as well as the surrounding communities.
