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[SilleeMee]

@RinaRina 

Low-E windows do not effect plants. The glass is actually good for them and it's even used in some greenhouses.

[RinaRina]

Wow!  I'm doing research now ... there are also quadruple pane windows!

[Growing]

There are sound dampening windows, but they cost a lot. If you live in a warmer climate,  replace your windows with good quality vinyl double pane windows. Ask the salesperson about how the window frame is made, vinyl only, vinyl over some metal, or foam, etc. We have replaced cheap double pane windows that were terrible in two houses now. We got our high quality ones from thermal windows DFW dot com and their website explains construction of a window and they have sound moderating ones for your education. If you live in a colder climate, the triple pane will help. Triple pane windows are not needed in warm climates. Also, many companies make double pane but thin in profile. A higher quality window will be a thicker profile with easy opening. Meaning their depth is fatter from inside to outside. We have had both and there is no compare to a high quality window. Go to Home Depot or Lowe's and look at their displays. Measure the depth of the frame from inside to outside. Look at Pella brand - not to necessarily buy but to compare construction. Lastly, any company you hire should know your building code. Hopefully, they use full time installers. It's the installation that makes or breaks it. 

[SilleeMee]

No doubt that a triple or quad pane window will help block more noise than a double pane. However, the difference many not be significant enough to justify the cost. What can make a difference is how much space there is between the panes of glass. The more space there is between panes means better sound control. 

[SilleeMee]

My house was built in the mid-1970's. It had aluminum framed single pane glass windows. There was very little insulation in the attic or exterior walls. I started upgrading my house to make it more energy efficient and I hired a home energy specialist to help me. The first thing I did was put more insulation in my attic and exterior walls. That made a shocking reduction in the outside noise coming in. Next on the list was the window replacements and, as I said before, that reduced the noise so much I was in shock from that, too.

[VaBelle35]

Triple pane is the way to go.

I live in a town house and it was built with single pane windows.  People may as well have been sitting in my living room talking to me vs standing on the sidewalk.

I had all new windows put in 2 years ago.  I did double pane more for efficiency.  I didn't realize they would block out so much sound.  Had I know that I would have gone with triple pane.  But double pane are really good.

[msgb]

I have in the last few weeks had four window companies out to replace some of my windows due sto drafts and bowing. One of the things that was brought up to each company that came out --the question re: noise. Each stated that while they might make things a bit more quiet there is not something that can sound proof windows that go in homes.

[depglass]

We have low e windows and maybe that's why we don't hear the barking dogs and road noise others do.  I always thought it was the log part that was doing the insulating.  (log cabin)

[Effie54]

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@RinaRina wrote:

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@Mellyg wrote:

It's my understanding that glass doesn't naturally absorb sound. So while there are things that may (or may not) help, it's hard to achieve with the glass used for residential windows. 

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I don't know what to do.  I live in a neighborhood where people think it's "normal" to play loud music.  I've checked with 3 other neighbors and they all said the same thing;  "it doesn't bother me".  The 2nd neighbor told me she was from New York and she LIKED the background noise because it reminded her of growing up in New York.

Ugh!

I just don't know what to do ...

My neighbors will NOT turn down their music.  They refuse.

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Here's what I did when I had noisy neighbors - we moved! They were constantly loud and non-compliant. I've never been happier since we moved, and we live in the quietest neighborhood. The loud neighbors still live in that house!

[Caffeina]

Unless you soundproof your entire house, no windows are going to completely soundproof it. Sound is transmitted through vibrations, and you'll still hear and feel loud music. No window company will guarantee that you won't hear anything after replacing windows. Call a reputable home remodeler, and get an estimate for soundproofing.