6 Best Way How To Soundproof A Window From Traffic Noise

One day I was thinking over that issue, how to fix it, and suddenly came a thought of soundproofing in my mind, and then I started working on how to soundproof a window from traffic noise.

Actually, last few years ago I was struggling from my noisy neighborhood and their barking dogs, birds, music system. I told them my problem but they didn’t take me seriously, then I complained to the Concern Department but to no avail.

When I started working on it, I came to know that we have many options available “how to soundproof a window from traffic noise”, and here are some result-oriented options that I brought to you.

6 Best Way How To Soundproof A Window From Traffic Noise

Yes, we have a number of ways available here how to soundproof a door or a window from traffic noise. Some of those result-oriented DIY options for soundproofing windows I am going to tell here.

You can select one or more options from that according to your requirement.

1. Noise Blocking Window Film

This method is the very easiest and time-saving method. This film is made of polymer and it comes in different sizes, different thicknesses, various colors, and opaque designs.

You can peel off this sheet from one of its corners and press the film gently onto the window glass until it covers the whole window glass.

If you find the bubbles underneath the film then take out the bubbles by pressing and moving your hand on the film.

If you find the size of this film is larger than the desired size then you can cut this film with the help of a utility knife and then you can apply this film onto the window glass.

This film helps to reduce the noise by 3 to 5 dB. You won’t get the expected result here but those who want to reduce the noise by 3 to 5 dB, those people have a good option.

Pros

• Easy Installation and Removal
• Excellent UV protection
• Anti-glare
• Helps to reduce heat
• Scratch-resistant
• Self-adhesive
• Reusable

Cons

• Eliminate noise only by 3 to 5 dB

[Frequently Asked Q]: Best primer to cover drywall imperfections

2. Replace Your Regular Window Glass With The Laminated Glass

let’s first understand What is laminated glass

The laminated glass is two panes of glass that are stuck together with a layer of plastic in between. Hope you understood well, what is laminated glass.

Laminated glass is mostly used for safety purposes, but nowadays due to the thickness of the glass and the plastic layer that is inserted in it has sound insulation properties and that is why this glass is often used for sound insulation.

This plastic layer is made up of polyvinyl butyral (PVB) or ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA) and these materials have great bonding as well as sound insulation properties.

Now you replace the existing glass with the laminated glass. If you know how to replace the glass of your window, only then you do that work otherwise you can call to pro person.

You will be surprised to know that this laminated glass reduces noise by 15 to 20 dB easily and that’s the reason this laminated glass is in trend. These are the ways how to soundproof a window from traffic noise.

Pros

• Easy to install
• Helps to reduce heat
• Reduces noise by 15 to 20 dB easily
• Excellent UV protection
• Very safe
• Scratch-resistant

Cons

• Thicker
• Heavier

3. Upgrade Your Existing Window With Double Glazing Window

let’s first understand What is Double glazing window

Double glazing is the combination of two panes of glass that are separated by a gap in the same frame, that gap can be just air or it can be pressurized with some kind of gas, the majority of the time argon gas is used.

Hope you understood well, what is Double glazing window.

Normally the people use a standard type of window glass in the double glazing window that’s why they don’t get the expected result.

If you use standard glass with pressurized argon gas in a double glazing window then you will get a noise reduction by 19 to 24 dB.

Rather if you use laminated glass with pressurized argon gas in a double glazing window then you will get a noise reduction by 27 to 32 dB.

Yes, it’s true that this option is quite expensive but it is much less than the soundproofing window and here you are also getting a great result. Doing this type of window installation is a bit difficult so always call a pro person to do this type of job.

I found a field test video on this topic, the person in this video has explained beautifully how the double glazing window with laminated glass blocks the sound effectively. Have a look,

Pros

• Excellent UV protection
• It helps to keep our home cool in summer and warm in winter by stopping the heat entering into our homes in summer and stopping the heat escaping in winter.
• Reduces noise by 27 to 32 dB
• It increases the security of our homes
• Scratch-resistant

Cons

• Quite expensive
• Time-consuming
• Thicker
• Heavier

Note: Do not go with the triple glazing window because you won’t get a huge difference in noise reduction as compared to the double glazing window.

[Don’t Miss]: How to waterproof drywall

4. Magnet-seal Soundproofing Window Kit

In this method, you can cover your window opening with the help of an acrylic sheet. It is the additional cover to your window that you can provide with the help of magnetic tape and an L channel.

Now the question is What does this kit include?

It includes the metal “L” channel that fits around the frame of your window and the magnetic tape that holds the plastic sheet in place.

This kit does not contain the acrylic sheet which covers your window opening. You must obtain it locally from a “Plastic Sheet Supplier”. Remember to cut oversize to the opening so as to cover it, not to fit inside it.

This method works because the sound doesn’t like to pass through the dead air space created between the existing window and the new. This acrylic sheet with airspace reduces noise by 15 to 20 dB easily.

Pros

• Easy installation and removal
• Knock Out Annoying Noise Coming Through Your Windows
• Reduces noise by 15 to 20 dB
• Self Adhesive Magnetic Edging Tape

Cons

• This kit is for windows no larger than 4′ X 4′
• Interior use

Keep in mind that if the window is on the sun side of the house, there will be heat buildup, so make sure nothing is in the airspace and leave a tiny opening where heated air can escape.

5. DIY Soundproof Window Inserts

The window inserts are simply frames made of foam or sponge, which is readily available in the market.

You must obtain the acrylic sheet or laminated glass from the supplier as per your window size.

Now apply the flat side of this strip around each side of the glass.

First, apply this flat side of the weatherstrip on the top side of the glass and cut it according to the size.

Then apply it on the bottom side of the glass and again cut it according to the glass size and in this way, you apply this weatherstrip on all the sides of the glass, now you have done.

Now place this insert into the window opening with the help of a suction cup and maintain the gap at least 1/2 inch in between the existing window glass and the new insert window glass for a better sound reduction.

In this method you can reduce noise by 15 to 20 dB, it all depends on the type and the thickness of the glass do you use. These are the ways how to soundproof a window from traffic noise.

Pros

• Easy installation and removal
• You can do it
• Reduces noise by 15 to 20 dB
• Self-adhesive weatherstrip
• Knock Out Annoying Noise Coming Through Your Windows

Cons

• Perfections required

6. Soundproof Window Curtains

Soundproof window curtains are the cheapest and easiest way to soundproof the window.

Here you can achieve 4 things by applying only the curtains and that is soundproofing, prevent heat, prevent unwanted light to come inside, and make your home more beautiful.

But here you wouldn’t get that much result which you expect, because soundproof curtains are able to reduce noise by 13 to 18 dB. If you use this method with any one of the methods which I explained above, then you will get a better result.

Therefore, always select such curtains that are thick, containing multi-layers, thermally insulated, and from which light cannot pass. Installation of the soundproof curtains are simple, you can simply hang them on the hanging rod.

Pros

• Reduce echo
• Enhances the look of the bedroom
• Reduce noise by 13 to 18 dB
• Keep the outside light away

Cons

• Won’t block the outside noise completely
• Enough light will not get in the house

These all are the ways that how to soundproof a window from traffic noise, you can pick any one or more method to soundproof your window.

Final Wording

Here you came to know that how to soundproof a window from traffic noise. There are a lot of ways to soundproof a window from outside noise but you have to select the best way as per your requirement.

As per my opinion if you have a tight budget then go with “DIY soundproof window inserts”. It is the best way to soundproof your window with a minimum budget, but remember to use laminated glass for better results.

If you have enough budget then go with the “double glazing window”. It is the best way to soundproof a window, but remember to use laminated glass for better results.

Hope this post “how to soundproof a window from traffic noise” will guide you in the right direction.