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Sound-Abatement Window

9 years ago

First-time poster. My wife and I recently bought a house near a noisy street and a regional airport. Looking to replace our bedroom windows to provide a quieter night's rest. A window I saw online was the Milgard but because we live in OH, it is not available. Another I saw was the Atrium Silent Guard but wasn't sure of Atrium's quality. Any feedback on Atrium or recommendations on a window to help with sound-abatement would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance for your replies.

Featured Answer

PRO

Windows on Washington Ltd

9 years ago

I think Todd cleared it up well.

Mass - Airspace - Thickness are the 3 basic tenets of sound attenuation.

What is the construction of your current windows? An interior or exterior storm will likely provide you with the best result as the most cost effective price.

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Comments (8)

cold_weather_is_evil
9 years ago
Sound deadening with windows is ALL about the mass of the glass. Everything else is marketing because, compared to the glass, it's trivial.

In one absolute way triple pane is no better than double pane because of the number of sheets of glass; it's usually better because there's more mass of glass. I have no recommendations on any window, but when comparing two windows keep an eye out for the total glass (not air gap) thickness.
toddinmn
9 years ago
The width of the air gap can make a huge difference in the STC rating of a window. This is why storm windows are often used in noise abatement projects, often with only 3/16ths glass. This is also why there is often little to no detectable difference in a triple pane vs dual pane glass pack. Offset glazing is often used to boost STC ratings but laminated glass typically has a better effect. A STC rating of 34 would be an minimum idea target range.Atrium is not known for quality windows, I am not familiar with Silent guard though.
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I see, thank you both for explaing! I have a followup Q along with attachment. I first need to make a correction. See, i had thought my new one is identical to my old one. But i now see that, even though they failed to picture it in their diagrams, the underparts of their various models are not identical (I went outside and checked to see if the new one is dripping - which its supposed to do - but i didn't see it dripping. Yet the guy assured me by phone today, that he made sure to put it at an angle, and that he knew that's required for drainage. Whereas my other (original) one, which is at my other window, was indeed dripping. This new one has a much smoother bottom than the old one, and unlike the old one, doesn't have a hole near the outer edge. Again, i emphasize, on the new one i do not see a hole near outer edge, unlike the old. Perhaps the new drain-hole is at the more inner-area that's directly resting on the metal outer rim of my 1950s wood windowsill? (see attachment) But why on earth would they redesign it that way, rather than leaving the hole near the edge? Shouldn't they realize the risk of it draining into the wood sill and developing into a swimming pool on the sill? The old one is FRA052X17 The new one is FFRA051WA1 When i tried phoning Frigidaire for explanations on this difference, it was "non-service". A nightmare of long phone waits, followed by ignorance, transfer to the wrong supervisor in their hierarchy, non-accountability and rudeness. "Maam it's not my fault that he transferred you incorrectly". When i tried phoning again later, a msg stated nobody's available. The times we're living in are hell. Civility is dead. :-(
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cornbread85
Original Author
9 years ago
My current windows are Jeld-Wen (wood frame, double pane, double hung). If an interior storm window is the best option, could anyone recommend a quality company?

Another window I saw online was the Marvin Ultimate (aluminum-clad with an interior glazing of 3/16 annealed glass, an exterior glazing of 1/4 inch laminated glass, and a 1/8 inch aluminum-clad storm window).

I have found the link below to a site which reviewed the available sound-abatement windows.

Here is a link that might be useful: Sound-Abatement Windows
PRO
Windows on Washington Ltd
9 years ago
Where is the home located?

What is the wall depth?

What does the interior trim look like?

You can do and interior storm but will likely have to re-trim the interior of the window to create the additional jamb depth and allow for the airspace and mounting location of the storm.
cornbread85
Original Author
9 years ago
The home is located in NE Ohio. Wall framing is standard 2x4 framing. Interior trim is just white wood. Small sill (maybe 1" away from lower window).
toddinmn
9 years ago
An exterior storm is preferred for many reasons. Larger airspace without modification, appearance, ease of use, it'll protect your wood windows etc.
PRO
Windows on Washington Ltd
9 years ago
+1

Agreed.

Issues with and exterior storm is more often HOA or neighborhood guidelines.

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