Hey everybody,
I live in the Chicagoland area near O'Hare airport and was thinking
about soundproofing my windows to try to reduce the noise from airport
traffic. I'd like to do it as inexpensively as possible but don't have
the time to do it myself. I was thinking of finding a contractor that
does this kind of work but I don't know where to begin, does anyone
have some ideas or know of a good company to go with?
Thanks for your help,
Sarah
Chuck - 12 Apr 2007 08:23 GMT
> Hey everybody,
> I live in the Chicagoland area near O'Hare airport and was thinking
[quoted text clipped - 5 lines]
> Thanks for your help,
> Sarah
Determine how old your windows are. If they were manufactured by a company
that still exists you might be able to get double glass installed. If that
isn't the case you might have to purchase new windows that have double
glazing. The other note is that even if they are double glazed if they are
open they won't do any good. Even a small crack.
Also, what do your exterior walls consist of. If they are just wood framed
stud walls do they have insulation installed? If not adding insulation will
cut down on the airport noise. (Not an easy job with existing walls.) I
say cut down because it depends on how close you are to the airport. But
what ever you have to do it will at least cut down on the airport noise but
not all.
Good luck.
CID...
CWatters - 23 Apr 2007 11:17 GMT
Re double glazing...The optimium seperation for preventing sound
transmission is larger (at around 6") compared the smaller gap needed for
thermal insulation.
Glenn - 23 Apr 2007 16:28 GMT
I once built a radio station. We achieved complete sound proofing
by setting in one pane of glass straight and the other one with
the space at the bottom about 1/2" and the top at 1-1/2". It
works. The panes were about 4' square. The sound bounces around
in there until it wears it's self out.
> Re double glazing...The optimium seperation for preventing sound
> transmission is larger (at around 6") compared the smaller gap
> needed for
> thermal insulation.
CWatters - 24 Apr 2007 11:26 GMT
> I once built a radio station. We achieved complete sound proofing
> by setting in one pane of glass straight and the other one with
> the space at the bottom about 1/2" and the top at 1-1/2". It
> works. The panes were about 4' square. The sound bounces around
> in there until it wears it's self out.
In the 1960/70's they built a motorway past our house. The government
provided compensation for double glazing but my father had already installed
some. They wouldn't give him the cash because the air gap was only the
narrow gap applicable for thermal insulation...they would only pay for a
wider gap.. so he had them come and install another layer of glass at the
required 6" spacing making it tripple glazing. That worked well.