If you love the sound of silence in your home or office, it’s impossible to put a price on the feeling of a calm, quiet interior. Whether you’re hoping to block out street noise, raucous neighbors, or the ear-splitting sounds of the early morning, investing in soundproof windows can be a great way to protect your home from all kinds of noise and distraction. However, if you’re looking to replace your windows, your soundproofing project could come at a high cost. When it comes to window replacement Richmond, finding soundproof windows that work to drown out the noise of the outside world can run up quite a price from manufacture to installation. Whether you’re trying to soundproof a single room or a whole house, the process can end up being a bit pricier than you’d expect. But if you’re invested in making your home or office space a noise-free zone, the price you pay for the best soundproof windows could end up being worth it. Here are a few things to consider before outfitting your space with new windows.
Consider the Source of the Sound First
Not all sound is created equal, especially when it comes to a busy urban center or even your average noisy neighborhood. That’s why it’s important to pinpoint the source of the noise that’s keeping you up at night or making it impossible to get any work done. Are you bothered by something external, like shouting or traffic? Are you dealing with a lot of heavy vibrations like the rattling or train tracks or large garbage trucks ambling past? Are you bothered by something that’s originating from inside your home, like noisy pipes or loud neighbors? If you’re affected by more than one specific sound, getting soundproofed windows could be a great way to kill several birds with one stone, especially if the noise is getting in the way of you or someone else’s good night’s sleep. However, if you’re just dealing with a case of noisy neighbors, a quick chat with them (or with your landlord) could end up saving you a lot of money and time.
Go for Efficient Soundproof Windows
Remember: Just because a soundproof window is sturdy and thick doesn’t mean that it’s doing your home any favors in terms of energy efficiency. When you buy a soundproof window, you’re making a huge investment. A single window could cost upwards of $950, and if you’re getting your whole house done, you want that purchase to really count. In order to make sure you’re getting high-efficiency windows, you have to make sure you’re going for laminated glass with a low-E coating and a low R-value frame. Having triple-paned glass simply isn’t enough when it comes to keeping your home insulated. In fact, some triple-paned windows aren’t as effective as their double-paned counterparts. Many energy-efficient windows contain an inner layer of compressed gas that works to shield your house from leaks and drafts. While soundproof windows focus on the thickness of the glass, they don’t always come with that extra layer of protection.
Consider the Full Cost
You may have the money to pay for a single or even a whole host of soundproof windows, but if you’re not thinking about the cost of installation and upkeep, you’re not factoring in the entire cost of soundproofing your home. Having these extra-heavy windows installed can rack the cost up even further, resulting in a high fee for even having a single window put in. If your old windows are on their way out and you know that you want your replacements to be soundproof, that’s one thing. However, if your old windows are perfectly functional and free of leaks and damage, you’ll want to take this step one window at a time. If you’re dealing with sensitivity to sound at a particular point in the day, such as during the night time or during working hours, choose a room in your home as a test run. See what changes after installing your window and make your decision based on the outcome.
If You’re Still on the Fence, Consult a Pro
If you’re having difficulty identifying the noise that’s bothering you, there’s an easy way you can figure out whether or not soundproofing your home will actually help. There are professionals who are available to come into your home and identify the frequency of the noise in question and tell you how effective a soundproof window will be in blocking it. While consulting fees might seem pricey, they could end up saving you money in the long run.