Poor soundproof window/door performance

[apple]

I'm up a tree.  

I recently purchased/up front paid for an 8' sliding door unit and a 2x5' window insert from SPW.  Both units were retrofitted (2+" inside the existing double pane units) by a licensed contractor (ie a screwdriver and caulking gun/370# Fed Ex package were too much for this handy old timer.)  

The claim of 50-90% incoming noise reduction was what sold me.  I/we've complied with the installation instructions.  A rep visited the site after I informed them (complained) that with units maybe reduced the incoming road noise 20-25%.  The rep pretty much heard what I did.  Anyway it is still a bummer to be awaken @ 4 am by the construction trucks/diesel 350s going up/coming down the hill we live on.
 
I put a stop on the payment...would be happy to pay/settle for the 50% noise reduction figure (release payment, that is.)  The firm says the units are mine: release the payment or court.  I purchased the units ($2100+450 installation+240 freight) in good faith..did not sign anything that I'm aware of that resembled "no returns."  

Bottom line: the units are not performing @ 1/2 of the minimum noise reduction touted-represented.  

Two Q:  1) Has anyone had a similar problem situation/any advice re what to do/not do?
 
2)  Do I start from scratch/de-install the original units//replace with Milgard units or ?  Help.

apple  

[skip]

Apple:



You are not alone in trying to deal with traffic noise and working with sliding glass doors.  There is no easy solution that we know of and your idea of contacting Milgard Doors is a good one. However, you could reduce the size of the glass area by covering part of it with dampening foam as shown at  http://www.soundproofing.org/sales/prices.html  This would have the effect of reducing the sound entry area (but also reduce light, etc).


Good luck.

[Chris Petersen]

Re soundproof sliding glass doors, soundproofwindows.com offers an exterior frame and sliding door that is supposed to work similarly to the interior window principle. The problem is I ordered mine back in September and am still waiting for delivery. They DO have a good product (I have received two smaller windows that have made a significant difference in noise) BUT they seem to be lacking in able to deliver large windows and doors (anything that requires them to order frames from an outside supplier) in a timely manner.
If you do order from them, the cost for a large sliding door will run just under $2000. The cost in waiting several months for a product should not be forgotten either, as I am quite annoyed with the wait at this point.

I also recommend that you DEMAND the sales person come to your home to measure. My sales person seemed to be less than interested in coming out in person which resulted in several calls with the manufacturer because they wanted to get it right. I felt like I was doing the salesperson's job. Good luck!!!

[Chris Petersen]

Re soundproof sliding glass doors, soundproofwindows.com offers an exterior frame and sliding door that is supposed to work similarly to the interior window principle. The problem is I ordered mine back in September and am still waiting for delivery. They DO have a good product (I have received two smaller windows that have made a significant difference in noise) BUT they seem to be lacking in the ability to deliver large windows and doors (anything that requires them to order frames from an outside supplier) in a timely manner.  
If you do order from them, the cost for a large sliding door will run just under $2000. The cost in waiting several months for a product should not be forgotten either, as I am quite annoyed with the wait at this point.

I also recommend that you DEMAND the sales person come to your home to measure. My sales person seemed to be less than interested in coming out in person which resulted in several calls with the manufacturer because they wanted to get the measurements right. I felt like I was doing the salesperson's job. Good luck!!!

[joel]

Wow, what a headache.  We are a Magnetite distributor for years.  Their old framing system only took a panel thickness of .110" so they were not very practical or effective (especially for sliding glass doors).  Their new framing will take 1/4" thick.  Check out the new Magnetite website for a real eye opener (and they don't make extravagant noise reduction claims any more - actually believable info their now).  Here is the link: http://magnetitewindows.com/index.html
Still a little iffy on customer service and follow-up, however.

[Juliewells]

You should contact that contractor and let him know about your problems

[CSK001]

Hi,
Thanks for this useful information.  I'm a new one in this forum.  I must appreciate the tools provided by you.  Please keep updating me in this regard.

CSK

Used Cars