Summary: Lawn equipment. Traffic noise. Children playing. Loud neighborhood parties. Airport traffic. Can soundproofing windows really make a difference? And do they really cost an arm and a leg?
Discover the truth about features and techniques that help reduce the level of sounds produced in today’s modern suburban and city residential areas around Houston.
Everyone’s sensitivity to sound pollution varies. So what is the science behind measuring decibels and the ability to penetrant different types of window styles and glass types? Of course, there is a TLA (three letter acronym) for measuring sound penetration. It’s called STC for Sound Transmission Class. More about this important measurement later.
Soundproof Windows Houston And Where To Get Them!
As with anything else, it’s best to talk to an expert! Houston Window Experts promise to our clients is to always offer the Best Products, Best People, and the Best Processes.
Products: We offer almost two dozen brands or windows spanning the full gamut of materials. Vinyl, aluminum, wood, composites, and fiberglass. All are available custom ordered to fit to within a 1/16th of an inch! Not stock size-big box store-mediocre windows. Customer measured and ordered for an exact fit.
People: Give us a quick call and you’ll instantly realize that we have the most highly qualified and trained personnel in our industry! From customer service, sales, installation crews, warranty, and follow-up staff members, you’ll always be treated with kindness, respect, and dignity.
Processes: First and foremost, our installation crews are company employees. Not temporaries or day laborers. What they do is at a level of training and skill not usually found in home improvement companies. We practice our skills to perfection and record them into our policies and procedures. How else could we possibly provide a Lifetime Leak-Free Guarantee?
STC And Soundproof Windows Houston
By “Soundproofing” we really mean “Sound Reduction” Reducing the sounds from the environment around the exterior of your home to a lower decibel level. Your home will not become completely silent but, you’ll be much more likely to get a quiet night’s sleep or better concentration when reading or working from home. Let’s explain Sound Transmission Class.
How STC is Measured for Windows:
- Sound Source: First you need a sound source (e.g., a speaker). The source is placed on one side of the window, and the sound is measured at a specific frequency.
- Receiver: Inside, a microphone or sound sensor is needed and is placed on the other side of the window to measure the sound level that is being transmitted.
- Calculation:The STC rating is the difference between the sound level on the source side and the sound level on the receiver side, measured in decibels.
What Methods Are Effective At Reducing Sound Penetration?
Watch the following video to discover how Jeff uses laminated glass or offset (asymmetric) glass thickness to help achieve soundproof windows Houston.
Video Discussion Recap
As you learned if you watched the video, STC scale goes from Zero to 100. It is a curved scale where zero represents no sound reduction and 100 represents complete silence. An 8″ thick stone wall will cut about 50% of all the sound making the STC class of 50.
A single pane windows is an STC Class of approximately 24. When you start using the sound reduction methods explained each rise of 10 points on the scale is a 50% reduction in sound penetration. An STC 34 is 50% more effective at reducing sound. STC ratings in the 30’s and approaching STC 40 are plenty effective but also increase the cost of the windows. Usually good double pane windows will rate around STC 28 or so and adding laminated glass will get the numbers into the mid 30’s. This level of soundproof windows Houston is plenty quiet for most of us.
For maximum sound reduction, ask our our “STC Windows”. These are specifically designed with all the techniques shown above. Double-pane glass, laminated glass and a single pane glass arriving at an STC of 45. Almost as quiet as an 8″ thick wall!
Sound Proofing Windows Conclusion
So if you are looking to make your home 50% quieter (or more) talk to the experts at Houston Window Experts. Come visit our showroom for a demonstration. Browse more than a dozen manufacturers in a variety of frame materials and colors. “Test Drive” them to see how they operate, how they seal, and how they lock. Pick up and inspect our frame and glass samples for quality of build and finishing.
We’re happy to have you over and you’ll be happy, well informed, and empowered to make a decision for your soundproof windows Houston. Get started today!
