skip to main content

Home Decorating

Interior glass/soundproofing question

10 years ago

Our condo has one real bedroom and one loft bedroom. The walls to the loft bedroom are currently mostly half-walls, one of which will be completely enclosed, and on one of which we will construct a wall and closet (I guess that one will be completely enclosed too). Of the other two, one overlooks the main living area, and one overlooks the front hall. These need to be left more "open" for both light and air purposes (the room is in the middle of the unit, no separate windows).

Can anyone suggest some kind of glass/screen/sliders etc. that would not only look good (the condo is industrial - steel windows, concrete ceiling and columns and all) but also provide some level of soundproofing both from and to that room? We've seen the room done with shoji screens and while it looked great, they're not at all sound-resistant.

Thanks!

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (6)

My3dogs ME zone 5A
10 years ago
I just Googled 'sound reducing glass' and came up with several hits. I put an interesting one below.

Here is a link that might be useful: Soundproof Windows Inc.
Annie Deighnaugh
10 years ago
I'd go to a glass store and talk to them....there is all kinds of decorative glass, colored glass. But for a wall, I'm sure it would have to be tempered. Unless it is solid, it won't be sound proofing.

Sarah Richardson used a glass wall at the top of a staircase in one episode, and used an applied film to add color.
Related Discussions
Interior Door Sound Reduction Suggestions Soundproofing
Q
Comments (3)
With doors, there are two general issues. The mass (weight) of the door slab, and the door seals. The combinations leave us with four basic choices: #1 An exterior steel door from Home Depot, etc. It is "OK" for mass, but sealed up pretty well. And cheap. Total is maybe $250. I'd give this about a 4 rating #2 An interior 1 3/4" solid core slab mounted on an exterior (weatherstripped) jamb. A custom door shop could do this for maybe $400. It's heavier than option #1, but similarly sealed. I'd give this about a 6 rating #3 An interior 1 3/4" solid core door with aftermarket acoustic seals. This is heavy and much better sealed. Maybe $450 total. I'd give this about a 7.5 rating #4 An interior 1 3/4" solid core door with an added MDF panel with specific damping material glued to the door slab with aftermarket acoustic seals. This is the heaviest and most damped solution. Maybe $500. I'd give this about a 9 rating My rating system is based on my opinion, not actual data on all these door possibilities, as there is no independent testing available. These various possibilities have no formal lab tests, but I'm pretty comfortable with the assessment.
...See More
How Best to Light My Glass Cab Interiors?
Q
Comments (5)
A puck light is your best bet. Xenon bulbs are cooler than halogen. But to be fair, they both put out heat. I've been very successful with LED puck lights. There is no heat and the projection is great. You have to be careful though. There is a lot of junk out there. But look for a three watt unit- usually it has 3 one watt LED diodes in it. It's not as 'warm' as an incandescent, but it's not cool like fluorescent. Sort of in the middle. And it will effectively last forever. Good luck.
...See More
Soundproofing replacement vinyl windows
Q
Comments (4)
A bunch of companies make interior storm windows that they say will cut down on noise. Some lead with noise control such as: http://www.soundproofwindows.com/index.html and others emphasize the energy efficiency such as: http://www.stormwindows.com/ The second companies product (Interglass) looks pretty easy to install as it uses some type of custom frame that is spring loaded on the sides.
...See More
Any advice: "Triple Glazing" or "Soundproofing Windows"
Q
Comments (8)
Talked to a local window company today about their windows for sound control, which are essentially a double pane window with laminated glass. They are a distributor for the following windows: http://www.vinylbilt.com/lib/pdfs/SSP_Glass.pdf The salesperson told me that upgrading my exiting windows (double pane windows by Vinylbilt, about 4 years old) with these ones will have marginal effect and will reduce the noise by about 10-15% based on his experience. Not sure how much I can trust this. I was determined to go this path but now have second thoughts. Anyone has experience with double pane laminated windows for sound proofing? I have started reading about soundproofing recently with no prior background. I feel that I know a lot more than every local window company that I have talked to so far, and these guys claim to have been in the business forever!
...See More
Karenseb
10 years ago
I once lived in a home with very good double pane windows and many nights, there was a constant high pitched hum that drove me crazy. I tried everything and checked the internet for resolutions. The noise was either a highway far off or some industry nearby that got progressively louder as the night went on.
To make a long story short, we ended up replacing our bedroom windows and when we did, we went with laminated (not tempered) glass and the noise disappeared. It could have been a frequency problem more than a sound problem, but after 8 years of hum, the next 5 years were so peaceful.
We had tempered glass in the bathroom and I could still hear the hum at night when I got up.
sjhockeyfan325
Original Author
10 years ago
I am going to visit a glass tore or two, but thank you so much for the recommendation of laminated glass - I think that's the ticket as long as we can get something custom made!
jmc01
10 years ago
Also check out glass walls, the types used in office installations. There are some really good options out there.
lazy_gardens
10 years ago
(the room is in the middle of the unit, no separate windows).

Can you enclose it for a bedroom without running into fire regs? Most codes require an outside window for a bedroom.

Double-paned windows installed with a sound-reducing cushioning might do it.

Related Stories

DOORS 5 Questions to Ask Before Installing a Barn Door

By Apartment 46 for the Home

Find out whether that barn door you love is the right solution for your space

WORKING WITH PROS 12 Questions Your Interior Designer Should Ask You

By Mike Dietrich

The best decorators aren’t dictators — and they’re not mind readers either. To understand your tastes, they need this essential info

REMODELING GUIDES 13 Essential Questions to Ask Yourself Before Tackling a Renovation

By Affecting Spaces Design Studio

No one knows you better than yourself, so to get the remodel you truly want, consider these questions first

KITCHEN DESIGN 9 Questions to Ask When Planning a Kitchen Pantry

By Susan Redman

Avoid blunders and get the storage space and layout you need by asking these questions before you begin

FEEL-GOOD HOME The Question That Can Make You Love Your Home More

By Laura Gaskill

Change your relationship with your house for the better by focusing on the answer to something designers often ask

LIGHTING 5 Questions to Ask for the Best Room Lighting

By Karen LeBlanc Design TV Host & Writer/Blogger

Get your overhead, task and accent lighting right for decorative beauty, less eyestrain and a focus exactly where you want

MOST POPULAR 8 Questions to Ask Yourself Before Meeting With Your Designer

By Kelli Kaufer Designs

Thinking in advance about how you use your space will get your first design consultation off to its best start

REMODELING GUIDES 9 Hard Questions to Ask When Shopping for Stone

By Ventana Construction LLC

Learn all about stone sizes, cracks, color issues and more so problems don't chip away at your design happiness later

REMODELING GUIDES Considering a Fixer-Upper? 15 Questions to Ask First

By Sarah Phipps Design

Learn about the hidden costs and treasures of older homes to avoid budget surprises and accidentally tossing valuable features

REMODELING GUIDES Planning a Kitchen Remodel? Start With These 5 Questions

By Tiffany Carboni

Before you consider aesthetics, make sure your new kitchen will work for your cooking and entertaining style

Sponsored

J.Holderby - Renovations

4 Reviews

Franklin County's Leading General Contractors - 2X Best of Houzz!

More Discussions

What size rug? Chair and table on or off the rug?

9

Need decorating ideas for living room

9

Finished Master Bath Pix (well 98.9% finished)

27

Dining room update

16

furniture / photo alignment ? What’s my guide?

5