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I live on 2nd floor apt. in French Quarter in N.O. and need to sound proof the windows in the bedroom. Walls are 12 inch thick brick. Windows have wooden louver shutters. I’ve replaced the door with 1 3/4 thick solid core door and added 3/4 ply to the backs of the shutters. Also have thick, lined curtains on the windows. Curtains and shutters are always closed so doesn’t matter what it looks like behind the curtains. Thinking of caulking the shutters to make them as airtight as possible and adding a layer of rockwool or cellotex between them and the window. Inside I have 3 inches to work with. Thought about putting sheetrock next to the window and another layer of rock about 2 inches away with insulation between the two layers. Is all this worth the trouble? Some have told me to put thick glass or plexiglass in behind the window but that is going to be very expensive. Thanks for any ideas.
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John
You might as well install another set of hinged shutters on the interior with some form of sound deadener on the window side. Two layers of d/wall with an air space in between might do. They would need to fit snugly all around and have a shiplap type fitting where they butt together at the centre. Or you could just move away from the party capital of the world!
Fait doh doh
Patrique
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I did a LOT of soundproofing around our international airport here last year, when they expanded. Basically windows were vinyl replacement windows with slightly heavier glass and a storm window unit (also with heavier glass) afixed to the outside of each vinyl unit. Now if you are interested in maintaining your historic appearance, you may try replacing your current glass panes with heavier plate glass. you could also call the pentagon and get some of that honeycomb covering they use on stealth bombers, to line the inside of your shutters. Not only will they be soundproof but... they won't show up on radar either.
Seriously though, the heavier glass panes will aid in soundproofing. You can also install interior storm windows which are one solid pane of glass and can be slipped in and out of their frames for usage of the windows they cover. I am not sure where to get them but I've installed plenty of them. They really do help. You may never be able to totally eliminate outside noises (short of bricking up the windows) but you could greatly reduce them.
By the way, Don't caulk the shutters shut as this may have an adverse effect on the returnable amount of security deposit you have left with the landlord. A quick fix may be some 2 inch styrofoam type panels cut snugly to size and placed within the interior openings. This way you won't damage any of the property that you don't own. Landlords are usually funny about this. Go figure.
Pete Draganic
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Hi,
It's clear Mr. Robinson doesn't seek to REPLACE his windows, but to those of you who might have joined this thread b/c you need to, here is some info.:
Loewen Windows offer a glazing system, called TRANQUILITY, that offers an STC (Sound Transmission Classification) of 40. This is for an operable Casement window, without a supplemental storm panel. This window has been/is used extensively in airport sound mitigation programs in the US.
See our website at http://www.loewen.com
Mitch Toews
Loewen Windows
*Hello again,I checked my bookmark list and I have a lot of links on this topic. Here's a few links that may be useful in terms of sound attenuation:http://www.saflex.com/Acoustic/ag.htmhttp://www.djc.com/special/design95/10002599.htmhttp://www.mspairport.com/community/noise.htmlhttp://www.nonoise.org/I also have numerous links concerning airport soundproofing programs. Let me know if this is your issue, and I'll supply you with some contacts.Mitch ToewsLoewen Windows
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I live on 2nd floor apt. in French Quarter in N.O. and need to sound proof the windows in the bedroom. Walls are 12 inch thick brick. Windows have wooden louver shutters. I've replaced the door with 1 3/4 thick solid core door and added 3/4 ply to the backs of the shutters. Also have thick, lined curtains on the windows. Curtains and shutters are always closed so doesn't matter what it looks like behind the curtains. Thinking of caulking the shutters to make them as airtight as possible and adding a layer of rockwool or cellotex between them and the window. Inside I have 3 inches to work with. Thought about putting sheetrock next to the window and another layer of rock about 2 inches away with insulation between the two layers. Is all this worth the trouble? Some have told me to put thick glass or plexiglass in behind the window but that is going to be very expensive. Thanks for any ideas.