There’s no reason choosing the right windows for soundproofing should be difficult. Picking windows built for reducing sound can help keep your space quieter, whether you’re dealing with the roar of traffic, loud neighbors, or the occasional dog barking at midnight.

For most homeowners, bedrooms are where sound reduction is most needed—we all deserve a good night’s sleep after all! From all of our inquiries, we’ve found that over 80% of window noise complaints are related to bedroom windows.

What Makes Windows Soundproof?

While most windows won’t be considered fully soundproof, the STC rating can help indicate how soundproof they are. However, there is some nuance to STC rating. For example, a single pane window and a double pane window might have the same STC rating, but the single pane can perform better at blocking low frequencies (125 Hz and below) due to its greater weight. With that in mind, here are the factors that drive STC ratings in windows:

• • Glass Thickness: Thicker glass has more mass, helping block more sound. In double or triple pane glass, dissimilar thicknesses can actually better block different sound frequencies.
  • Composition: The material used to make the glass will affect how much mass it has and how well it blocks sound. For instance, laminated glass — usually some kind of plastic sandwiched between layers of glass — will outperform standard monolith glass by 2-4 STC points.
  • Air Space Between Panes: The gap between panes matters. The larger the airspaces (up to 6 inches), the better the window will be at blocking sound.
  • Frame Weight: Generally, you don’t want lightweight window frames.
  • Fully Sealed Windows: Windows that are sealed shut can score 3-5 STC points higher than those that can still open.

Understanding Why Each Window Type Reduces Sound

Let’s break down why each window type performs the way it does using the principles we just outlined above.

• • Single pane windows lack air gaps and sufficient mass, making them the least effective at sound reduction.
  • Double pane and triple pane windows have gaps between the panes, allowing them to block more sound. Bigger air gaps will yield better results, and if the panes are different thicknesses, they perform even better by addressing various frequencies. Triple pane windows have multiple air gaps, but the improvement from double to triple isn’t as significant as from single to double pane.
  • Laminated glass windows have more mass than monolith glass and with a layer of plastic between two glass layers, they block a range of frequencies effectively by varying the material. When alternated with monolith glass in double and triple pane windows, laminated glass can further improve on it’s noise reduction.

how to soundproof windows without replacing them

If you want to improve the windows you already have or you own a historical home or a building where swapping out the window isn’t an option, use Fantastic Frame™ Window Inserts to drastically improve the soundproofing (up to 80% noise reduction) and thermal insulation (up to 60% energy transfer reduction) of existing windows without having to replace them. And don’t forget to check out our article on how to soundproof a window for more tips and solutions.

Whether you’re considering double pane, triple pane, or laminated glass, knowing what works best for your specific needs is essential. Reach out to us at Second Skin Audio if you need help picking the right windows for your soundproofing project!

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