A Detailed Guide On How To Soundproof A Window From Traffic Noise And External Noise.

While in the house, you always want to have a noise-free environment. If you’re working from your home, a quiet surrounding is all that you need.

But windows are one of the major entry points of external noise. Noise from the traffic is inevitable if you are living close to the road – although other sources of noise exist.

For example, noise from children playing in the neighborhood. Or springing music from some neighbor’s houses, nightclubs, restaurants (for city dwellers).

You may have worked so hard to soundproof the entire house. But if you left out windows in your soundproofing project, believe me, you’ll still be disturbed.

This is because the windows can let in a good amount of noise.

So if your question is how to soundproof a window from traffic noise and other external noise, I have got adequate guidelines that would really help you out in your window soundproofing project.

Remember in soundproofing your home, it’s not just about rooms only. Yes, you will reduce a significant amount of noise but it won’t be enough.

Yet, the ultimate goal is to have that quiet environment. Which is important for focus in whatever work you will be doing from your home (this includes resting and sleeping).

DIY Soundproofing.

When it comes to getting the project done for cheap, Do-It-Yourself soundproofing is the best option. Especially if you are experienced in the job and you don’t need the services of a professional.

DIY projects, including DIY soundproof windows, are not hard to complete. So long as you have the basic skills.

But don’t worry yet if you haven’t learned how to do it yourself. It doesn’t actually take a lot of time to learn.

Later on, I am going to give some of the best hacks to follow while doing your DIY window soundproofing project.

Before then, stay close to discover some benefits due to window soundproofing.

Benefits Of A Soundproof Window.

There are numerous advantages of soundproofing windows in your home. These could range from aesthetic, health-related, social and mental benefits.

And all these are necessary for your well-being including those you live with.

• Dirt Infiltration

When you soundproof your windows, you are eliminating a myriad of unwanted dust and dirt particles. Windows are entry points of such particles.

You are likely not willing to spend most of the time cleaning the house time and again. It only leads to bad time usage.

However, these soundproof windows will not let in dust. Meaning that you’ll be spared the hassle of worrying about your house’s cleanliness all the time.

Because most of the elements of dirt are effectively filtered out in these windows.

• Better Focus and Performance

Soundproofing existing windows can be a real time boost for you. If you consider your city home the office, then you’ll need an increased level of quietness for maximum focus.

This won’t come just like that though. You’ll have soundproofed all your existing windows – especially those facing the busy streets or heavy traffic.

Definitely, soundproofing would enhance your levels of concentration. So that you focus on your work, and the result of such an environment is great performance.

I can bet that working under constant noise won’t get you anywhere. Therefore, do not tolerate because noise distraction can be irritating.

• Improved Body Health and Well-Being

There’s no doubt about the immense health benefits associated with soundproofing windows. You are protected against allergen sources and other pathogens that could find their way through the window.

For example, dust, pollen etc. are prevented from accumulating in the interior of your house.

The problem of ultra-violet rays from the sun is effectively contained. You know how harmful these rays can become both on the house furniture and your body – think about diseases like skin cancers and so on.

• Increased Value Of Your Home

The real estate value of a soundproofed home is higher than just any home. This gives you a stronger bargaining power when selling your home.

With sound eliminating systems in place, your house even sells faster. Who doesn’t want such a residence, especially in the city center?

In other words, soundproofing your home and windows is a worthy future investment.

Different Methods On How To Soundproof Windows DIY.

The methods of soundproofing windows DIY are enlisted and well-explained here. I want you to read through each and see which one can work for your needs.

Note that there are many ways to achieve your soundproofing goals. But I will just focus on six for now.

1.   Total Blocking Of The Window

Perhaps this could be one of the best options around. It ensures that your windows are entirely blocked so that sound doesn’t enter the house.

This effectively cuts off sound and therefore you will have a quieter interior. Usually, the spaces are filled so that no gaps are left anywhere.

You can block your windows using this Foam Insulation Panels. They might not be any closer to being elegant, but they provide the exact protection against outside noise, apart from being easy to install.

In case you aren’t content with these panels, I suggest the fiberglass soundproof blanket. They are well-suited sound deadening materials.

So you will need to cover the blanket over the whole window to experience their full effectiveness.

The challenge with this method is that blocking the entire window means you will also block off light from entering the house.

2.   Consider Rearranging and Adding to Your Furniture

Sound waves travel in paths. And furniture can be great at blocking most of these paths so that the noise is absorbed and ultimately their frequencies reduced.

Rearranging furniture can form good window sound barrier.  So don’t look down upon this strategy.

What you need to do is to add more pieces of furniture in the house. You can as well rearrange the existing sets too – these will serve as obstacles to the travelling sound.

Now, as the sound waves hit the furniture surfaces, they are stopped. Others are absorbed and the echoes and reverberations are killed off in the process.

The first way you can possibly rearrange the furniture is this: place the couch, closet, bookshelves or other furniture at the window. These will ensure complete blockage of the window – no light as well.

Thus, when you talk about how to soundproof a window from traffic noise or any other external noise, blocking with such furniture is probably something you want to try out.

But if you think the complete blocking of windows would deny you light, just put the furniture closer to the window or thereabouts. You will able to see some lighting while a good amount of noise may be controlled.

3.   Noise Reducing Curtains and Liners

You can consider using the noise-canceling curtains. Although the curtains do not block off sounds completely, they provide great acoustic and insulation solutions.

The sound echoes are reduced a great deal so that the room is quieter.

The curtains are designed with sturdy material which makes them absorb a lot of sound. These materials are also thicker and can help to preserve heat in the house during the cold seasons.

If you get curtains, look at those that cover the entire window – from top all the way to the bottom past the window ridge.

The blackout curtains have become common on the market. These will block out the sounds but also double up to reduce the amount of light in the house.

With the soundproofing curtains, you can be assured of a first-rate aesthetic appeal. You can consider looking at this NICETOWN Energy Saving Thermal Insulated.

Nicetown is a thermal insulated curtain which comes with great sound-blocking elements. Its design is crafted from thick materials and it has a fabulous appearance.

4.   Using Soundproof Window Inserts

A window insert or window plug is the frame made of foam or sponge. And it works to be airtight to the spaces and gaps of the windows.

You will easily install the window inserts by just plugging them in your window. When you need to remove them, it’s similarly easy.

Thus, they offer an awesome temporary soundproofing solution. But they shouldn’t be relied upon for your home soundproofing project.

You will make window insert foams depending on the size of the windows. For small sized windows, get two inches of this soundproofed matting and acoustic foam – 24 Pack Acoustic Panels Studio Foam Wedges on Amazon.

Larger windows require that you first cut out a frame where the foam will sit. Then make the soundproof insert using these five simple steps:

• Cut a frame measured to the size of your window. There should be no gaps or spaces on the window
• The next thing you will do is to cut the soundproof foam for windows that fits the wooden frame you cut out earlier
• Cut the acoustic sponge to your desired size and stick to the mat
• Attach the shell handles to the DIY window insert exterior. Very important when it comes unplugging the window insert.
• Any remaining gaps should be sealed off by the weather-stripping tape.

If you are looking up for a fun DIY soundproofing project, this is it. It doesn’t cost you much and it’s an easy process.

5.   Using Window Soundproofing Film

Another way you want to try out is this soundproof film on the windows. But does window film reduce noise?

Window soundproofing film is acoustical and can be good at sound dampening. You can add the film on to the window panes to achieve better soundproofing of your window.

This film is designed to have an interlayer film sandwiched between two external layers. The Sound insulation feature will be found in the middle or core layer – the one responsible for reducing sound.

This film works by absorbing much of the sound that goes through the window. So that whatever sound that enters the house will be significantly reduced.

Getting the window soundproofing film comes with benefits such as enhancing privacy, thermal efficiency, and the films are great for offices and meeting rooms.

I have recommended that you look at this Coavas Window Film from Amazon. You will also enjoy the heat insulation properties it comes with.

6.   Using Soundproof Glass or Acrylic On The Window

The option of attaching a soundproof glass or acrylic to your window is an effective soundproofing method. The materials are usually attached from the inside of the window.

So how do you reduce window noise using these glass sheets? Well, the concept is straightforward just as in other methods.

You need to have an acoustic or laminated glass. Otherwise, there won’t be any difference even after completing your DIY project.

This layer of glass or acrylic should be tightly fitted on the window. So you will start by ensuring that you install a metal frame on the window.

You will fix your glass on to the frame by use of special magnets (the magnets hold the glass sheet in place). Now, your window is good enough to keep off most of the noise from reaching the interior of the house.

Bottom Line

You can always begin your home soundproofing project at the windows. Because they are some of the notorious points to noise entry.

If you want a peaceful, calm interior of your house, ensure that the windows are properly covered. You can do this yourself (DIY).

Some strategies you want to try out have been mentioned in this guide about how to soundproof a window from traffic noise. Although besides the ones I have mentioned in here, there are others I didn’t touch and yet can be useful.

For instance, using the soundproof windows, panel barriers, thick material blinds, double or triple-pane windows, removal of window etc.

You can research on them and I’m dead sure they are workable solutions.

---

FAQs

1.   How do you block sound from a window?

You can try out blocking the entire window or just put an additional acoustic layer on the windows. Another method could be using sound deadening curtains. These cut out most of the noise.

If you use thick material blinds, you can expect some minimal sound blocking. Barrier panels are comparatively more effective when it comes to sound blocking.

2.   How can I reduce outside noise in my bedroom?

Ensure that you know how to soundproof windows really well. Bedroom windows can be notorious sources of street noise if you don’t cover them well.

On top of that, think of installing soundproof curtains or blankets to the bedroom walls. These should be thick and heavy enough.

Try using the acoustic wedge panels, 12 x 12 inches with probably a 2-inch depth. They are good at absorbing low-high sound frequencies.

You can soundproof your floor and ceiling using the same materials as the walls.

3.   How much does it cost to soundproof a window?

It looks cheaper to soundproof a window using DIY. But, experts think that this is just short-term as when you consider calculating the long-term cost, the element of cost-effectiveness isn’t there.

Most DIY window projects will cost you less than $20. For example, the window inserts and acoustic caulk installation.

You will spend a few hundred dollars on your DIY storm windows and sound deadening curtains. So the main question is how many windows do you want to soundproof.

What’s even more wanting in terms of cost are the new double glazed noise-reduction windows themselves. I reckon that you’ll have to part with even tens of thousands.

The good thing is that they will do almost a flawless job. And they will save you so much in the long term.

Last update on 2023-08-16 at 17:45 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API