Print

Please login or register.
1 Hour 1 Day 1 Week 1 Month Forever
Login with username, password and session length

[brddd]

Hello, I own a condo with lots of windows facing a very busy intersection.   It is about 200 sq ft of windows (20ft high x 10 ft wide) including a sliding patio door.

The rumble of the traffic is not that bad, but more from the buses and heavy trucks as they accelerate around the corners.  Also, sirens from emergency vehicles as they approach the intersection and motorcycles during warmer weather.

The windows installed from the builder are normal double pane glass with a 1/2" air space in between.   They help a lot, but not enough.

I'm looking at installing 1/4" laminated glass with a 4-5" air space inside including a new sliding door with the same specs.   Fortunately the walls are thick concrete on the opposite sides, and it is literally a full wall of windows.

I believe I will get a good result doing this, but am being quoted about $75/sq. ft including installation which translates to about $15,000. 

I'm worried that the result may not be good enough for the cost I'm being quoted.   Assuming my current windows are about a 25-30STC, adding the laminated glass + 4" airspace should get me up to a 40-48 STC.     Does this sound about right?

Any thoughts on how effective this solution will be?   There are some DIY solutions which would be cheaper, but it will be too challenging of a project for me.

Thanks in advance for your comments.

EDIT:  the company also doesn't offer any sort of guarantee on the results, but it is confident that a good result will occur.

[Randy S]

based on the dead air space I would agree with the 48 STC value.
However, the reason they will not give you a guarantee is because everything we do is based on the contour of frequencies you are dealing with.
in other words you will get 80% reductions of 1k-2k but you might only see 25% reductions at 100 htz.

I agree this is a hard decision to make, so I would have to say that you need to decide at what percentage of reduction justifies the cost...for me, I go by the 50% rule (50% human perceived reduction justifies cost) 

Feel free to give me a call direct if you want to discuss.

Randy S.
760-752-3030 ext 104

[brddd]

Thanks for the feedback Randy.   A 48 STC value would be great.  However, as you say it may only reduce 100 Hz by about 25%.    The most annoying sounds are the buses as they accelerate from a stopped position around a long intersection.   I'm guessing this is a lower frequency range < 100 Hz.

A reduction of noise will certainly occur if we acheive a 48 STC value, however how effective it will be to give satisfactory results to the ears is hard to determine until you try it.

Other than moving, it is the only thing that can be done though.   A risk of a large chunk of money to possibly only get slightly satisfactory results for the low frequency sounds.    A tough decision. 

[Randy S]

Do you have a smaller room that has less windows facing the road to do as a test room?
 

[brddd]

Do you have a smaller room that has less windows facing the road to do as a test room?

Unfortunately no, the only windows in the entire unit are these.

[Randy S]

well my friend, I truly wish there was a way to guarantee the results but there is not. far to many variables in play. not only that but the sliding glass door would require another slider put back to back with the same air gap as well.

[brddd]

Yes, a new sliding glass door with the same air gap and 1/4" laminated glass would be installed as well.

Indeed, at least I can understand why can't offer a guarantee.    It is the best chance for success though, provided all seals are tight and a good installation happens.

Thanks for your opinion.