Soundproofing Windows?
 

Need some suggestions in soundproofing our master room window.The window faces a rather large street and it gets quite loud during traffic. Looking for some suggestion in sound proofing it. The window is a single sliding window.

I've already added a new liner in the inside and outside of it but the sound still comes in. Any suggestions? Shops to try? Tips?

You could get some thick blinds, but that will block out sunlight. Only thing i can think of is to get a double pane window. They help reduce outside nose, They hold in heat better in the summer reducing your heating costs and in the summer they can help keep the hot air out and your house nice and cool.

Bring this thread back up to see if anyone else has further ideas and recommendations..

Can't change the windows as the Strata in our complex won't allow.

We might consider putting some 3M covering over the window to create a sound barrier. But not sure how that will work. Not worried about opening the window, as it never gets opened.

Is it an older condo with single pane windows? If you can't change the windows to double pane, then try putting up some heavy curtains. That helped a bit when we had single pane windows, but last year I had the entire house re-done with double pane windows and man, what a difference in noise and heating/cooling.

Its a townhouse, with the original double plane windows from 13 years ago.. I'll look into the strata rules to see if we are allowed to change the windows.

Could you refer me the window company you went to?

A-1 Windows is a good choice.

Find the measurement specs of the window, bring it in and choose the style of window you want.

You can have them install it as well.

http://www.a1windows.ca/

I stay away from anything A1, they also make doors and the only reason why they are still in business is because they are 20% cheaper than other companies out there...horrible...

Seriously?

Parents replaced all the windows with the double pane, and it did the job.

What exactly is wrong with them? And any suggestions for the OP?

I like to deal with Starline, Euroline and Gienow. It all comes down to the hardware and glass. We use Oasis for townhouses and they come with shit hardware and the glass is wavy. We notice on the bigger windows that its not exactly square (top width to bottom width is like 1/4 inch out).

Another thing to watch out for is windows that are black. Most window companies out there do black or custom colors by painting the vinyl itself, the problem with that is the vinyl will absorb a lot of heat when its painted a dark color and the material will break down. I am building a house right now that will have black windows and I have decided to go with Gienow. Its because the exterior of the window is metal claded and they powder coat the metal instead of the vinyl.

For replacement windows, I think vinyltek is not bad and their prices is pretty good. Makre sure you get the low-e argon filled and if you want to have better soundproofing without breaking the bank. a 4 mil laminated outer pane with 3 mil inside pane will offset the sound pretty well. Its around 25% more in cost if you go that route. triple pane is like 100% more in price than a normal double 3 mil.

Thanks for the advice. For the time being I am going to try the Solid Thermal Insulated Back Tap Blackout Curtains..

Got them on Amazon - http://www.amazon.com/Thermal-Insulated-Blackout-Curtain-Set-BLACK/dp/B001A63XTS/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1323454249&sr=8-1
If that doesn't work we'll look at new windows.

sorry, i'm not familiar with townhouses and strata...

.. but with houses, people plant trees and bushes on the front lawn. This muffles the traffic noise. That's why you see houses along 41st and granville decked out with trees and bushes.

Landscaping Tips to Reduce Traffic Noise | eHow.com

Heavy curtains, with some serious thermal insulated backing's will make a big difference.

You might also want to take a peak inside your walls, open up a light switch and pry the electrical box back a bit. I found an exterior wall of my townhouse had no insulation, thus was noisy and cold. It happens, these units are built cheap and fast.