Second Skin has been helping customers solve noise problems for decades, and when it comes to window soundproofing, we've noticed a thing or two over the years that has helped us build a dependable guideline to solving those problems. First of all, we get far more residential inquiries than commercial inquiries, but we have vast experience with both. If you need help soundproofing windows in a hotel, historical building, university, office, museum, or other, be sure to give us a call to discuss the project!

That said, we've compiled data from our thousands of residential inquiries to help understand the problem so we can provide the very best solutions!

Common Types of Noises heard through Residential windows

Residential rooms that need soundproof windows the most

Why do Windows need soundproofing

A barrier is only as strong as its weakest point, and sound has a knack for finding it. If you’re on this page, you hear noise through your windows because they're the most common weak point in a space. Doors are the other most common weak points (more on that below), so read our guide if you need help soundproofing a door. There are three main reasons windows are poor at blocking sound:

1. Glass has less mass than the wall around it
2. There is no airspace, and therefore no absorptive insulation
3. Like doors, they're (usually) designed to open, naturally making them not as well-sealed

Because they need to open and lack airspace, insulation, and enough mass to block sound, windows are poor sound blockers relative to the wall around it. Check out this infographic below that shows the transmission loss of brick relative to how much glass (a standard window typically blocks about 18-20 dB of sound) is in the wall.

It's actually quite easy to diagnose external noise in a residential or commercial building because of this “weak point” problem. Are there windows? Yes? We need to soundproof them.

EXTERIOR Window Soundproofing Solutions

RECOMMENDED solution: Fantastic Frame Window Inserts

Alternative Window Soundproofing SOLUTIONs

We've looked into alternative window soundproofing solutions to give you some other options that might fit better into your budget or needs, and we've listed some pros and cons associated with each.

Solution One: DIY Window Plug

Making a window plug out of wood or drywall and filling the cavity with an absorptive material is an effective way to soundproof your window. The issue is that it often looks about as DIY as it gets. That said, if you're crafty enough and make sure it's a snug seal, you can stop a significant amount of noise.

PROS: 40-60% perceived noise reduction, potentially cost-effective, removable

CONS: No visibility, unattractive, room for error, potentially expensive

Solution Two: Replace a Single Pane Window

While not what we'd consider soundproof, replacing an existing single pane window with a double pane or triple pane window will help improve soundproofing. A typical single pane window will likely only have an STC 18-20, a double pane window can be between STC 26-28, and a triple pane window at an STC 30-35. The key is to look for the STC rating of the window before buying it. These are pricey investments, so you'll want to make sure your window will be at a sound blocking level on par or better than the sound you're trying to stop!

PROS: Full visibility and function, potentially high STC (30-50% perceived noise reduction)

CONS: Expensive, requires contractor, potentially not as effective, permanent

Solution Three: Quiet Quilt 2-Sided Soundproof Blanket

You pay a bit more for the mass loaded vinyl sewn into the blanket, but Quiet Quilt™ soundproof blankets have absorption on both sides to offer a strong one-two punch toward noise reduction through your window. Install it as seamlessly on the wall as possible for best results. They're a bit heavier, so you can expect them to be there more than not.

Check this article out for more on using soundproof blanket for windows.

PROS: 40-50% perceived noise reduction, absorbs sound as well, removable

CONS: Covers window, industrial look, harder to remove (heavy), middle-of-the-road cost

Solution Four: Quiet Quilt Acoustic Blanket

You can get our Quiet Quilt™ Indoor Acoustic Blanket to hang over the window. They're not as heavy as our soundproof blankets, so they're much easier to remove so you can let some light or air in. These also need to be well-sealed around the edges for best soundproofing results. If you blocking sound is more of a priority over removal flexibility, you should get the soundproof blanket.

PROS: Low cost, 30-40% perceived noise reduction, absorbs sound as well, easily removed

CONS: Covers window, industrial look

Solution Five: Mass Loaded Vinyl Window Cover

If you don't mind covering your window, Luxury Liner™ mass loaded vinyl sheets can be used to create a permanent or temporary, removable cover. The most important thing to do is to make sure it is sealed around the edges. We recommend the sheet to be slightly larger than the window jamb and then mount flush on the wall around it. Use our reclosable fasteners to secure the edges. You can design a fastening system to hold it and even roll it up. Just remember MLV is heavy, so you'll need sturdy support.

PROS: Inexpensive, 30-40% perceived noise reduction, removable

CONS: Covers window, industrial look

Solution Six: Acoustical Sealant Only

Sealing is often the easiest thing to forget but the most detrimental thing to any soundproofing project. If you see gaps, re-seal up poor seals with acoustical sealant on the interior and exterior where the window meets the surrounding wall. Also, seal up where the window meets the wall, especially with a drywall jamb. We need to close all gaps! Sound will find the weakest point, and air gaps are the weakest of weak points.

PROS: Cheapest fix possible, works well on poorly-sealed windows, doesn't affect visibility, up to 30% perceived noise reduction

CONS: Ineffective if already well-sealed

Solution Seven: Shutters

Shutters will make a modest improvement to your window's soundproofing when closed. The biggest problem is that they're often not dense and have slots in them, which allows for sound to leak through. On the positive side, they create an air gap with the window, which can help improve the noise reduction.

PROS: Looks nice, creates airspace, possibly 20-30% perceived noise reduction

CONS: Only effective when closed, may require contractor, often has slots which limits sound blocking quality

Solution Eight: Hang Curtains or Shades

If you have heavy curtains, you can expect them to be modestly effective at stopping sound, but it will depend on how heavy and how well they cover the window, but there are no true soundproof curtains. They all have some gaps that will compromise performance. If you have shades or lightweight curtains, they're simply not dense enough to stop sound.

We've shared all our thoughts on how effective curtains are at soundproofing.

PROS: Looks nice

CONS: Not effective for blocking sound, heavy curtains only effective when covering window (>20% perceived noise reduction)