Windows to Reduce Noise in Richmond VA

Nobody likes to have their peace and quiet disrupted by lots of unnecessary noises. Find out how replacement windows can help reduce noise in your Richmond, VA home.

Richmond, VA offers residents a 400-year history with access to great restaurants, craft beer, shopping, art shows and entertainment.

But just like any other bustling city or suburb, comes its share of noise.

From commercial noise, to jets, and loud neighbors, when you live in a city, noise pollution can keep you up at night and make it difficult to concentrate on work if you work from a home office.

There’s traffic noise like buses and car horns, garbage trucks, people slamming car doors, drills and hammering sounds from construction sites, and loud conversations right outside your door.

Not to mention the teenager who just bought a brand new set of drums.

Noise can drive you bonkers. All you long for is some peace and quiet and a good night’s sleep or a silent afternoon to get your work in by the deadline.

So what can you do to help you sleep soundly and the reduce noise so you can have some piece of mind?

While walls with good insulation can cut out some of the sounds in your city, sometimes it’s not enough.

One good solution is to consider replacing your home windows with a reputable Richmond contractor.

Older windows can let the sound in. Even if your windows are newer, if you have single pane windows, you’re letting in a lot of the noise.

Although a whole new set of windows can be expensive, some window companies provide financing options with low rates, deferred payments, and flexible terms.

Here’s what you need to know about how to reduce noise with the right windows for your Richmond, VA home, so you can decide if you need to replace your windows.

How to reduce noise with the right windows in your Richmond Home

1. The Science of Sound Transmission

When an object vibrates, sound waves are transmitted to our ears.

The movement of particles in the air triggers mechanical and electrical impulses, which is what we hear.

In order for windows to be soundproof, they need to block out 90 to 95 % of sound.

Sound blocking quality is measured by something called sound transmission class or STC. The higher the number, the better a window blocks out the sound.

A single pane window has an STC of about 27, while double and triple pane windows have a higher STC rating.

The highest STC for windows ranges from 45-50.

2. Here’s how windows help reduce noise

To reduce noise, your home improvement contractor needs to install a window that creates a boundary between the sound and the ear.

This sound barrier acts as a shield keeping the sound where it originates and out of your residence.

Window makers have three options to decrease noise transmission:

• To build window panes further apart to increase air space
• To use thicker glass to add mass to the windows
• To construct a window with a sheet of plastic between two panes of thick glass

3. Types of windows 

There are a wide variety of windows you can buy for your home. Sometimes it can get overwhelming to choose and can be a real challenge.

You can walk through a home improvement store and get totally confused.

You can ask your friends what windows they have installed in their homes, but that doesn’t mean it’s right for your home’s architecture and acoustics.

So what do you do when you don’t know how to choose the best window for your Richmond home?

The best thing for you to do is to find a window specialist. He or she can advise you on the best window solution to reduce noise in your home.

Vinyl windows are durable, affordable, and help block noise

Vinyl windows are one of the most popular windows on the market. They’re installed in residences for a variety of reasons.

One of the advantages of vinyl windows is that they are extremely durable.

These windows are constructed from PVC plastic and last for years to come.

Vinyl windows are said to last for 50 years plus. This makes them a good investment for your home.

Another benefit of vinyl windows is energy efficiency. They are much better than wooden windows that can let the cold air in more easily.

Vinyl windows not only reduce noise, they keep out the cold

Vinyl windows are also energy efficient and keep out the wind and cold weather. They help save on electric and power bills, which is always a plus.

These windows keep the heat in due to having good thermal insulation.

They are also convenient because they require little to no maintenance and don’t need to be sanded or repainted.

Insulated vinyl frames are filled with foam, which helps keep away the blaring sounds of a siren racing down your street and other loud noises.

Vinyl windows also come in a variety of styles and designs.

This enables homeowners to choose a window style to customize to their design and decorating preferences.

It also lets you choose a window that complements the architecture of your residence.

It also lets the homeowner choose a window that complements the architecture of your residence.

Laminated glass are difficult to shatter

Laminated windows are good at keeping noise pollution to a minimum. That’s because they have a piece of strong plastic inserted between two sheets of glass.

This helps keep sound away that can be transmitted through a glass window.

Due to their unique construction, laminate windows are more expensive. Some can cost up to $1,000 per window.

These windows are difficult to shatter, which can be good if homeowners live in areas with hurricanes and severe weather or earthquakes.

They have been known to be safer than standard glazed windows.

Triple Paned windows block out sound without breaking the bank

If laminate windows are out of reach of your budget, a great alternative is to buy and install triple-paned windows.

Triple paned windows keep out the loud noises of the neighborhood and don’t cost as much as a laminate glass window style.

The Bottom Line

Replacing your windows just might be the answer you’ve been looking for to help you get a restful night’s sleep.

Our company is a leading building expert in the Richmond Va. area, providing window replacement, house siding, and shingle roofing to local residents. Contact us today to beautify your home and start sleeping more soundly.