Noise Reduction - Sound Proofing On Windows

Question

EDIT

Hey all,

I'm looking for a way to block out excessive ambient traffic noise from a window in the below room. Preferably, with the use of multiple layers of black out curtains or some real thick acoustic ones. I was imagining hanging one set on the rails pictured. And then a second rail covering most of the wall.

Has anyone had any luck or advice with this sort of thing? Any thick and affective curtains anyone would recommend? Or something non destructive I haven't thought of yet? Thanks in advance guys.

window in question

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Answer 1

I built window plugs in my Small mix room and record room. Made a small wooden frame, attached a layer of 5/8th gypsum, painted it, put some handles and latches and slid it inside the window sill. Between the window and the plug I filled with insulation and then put a piece of white project board against the glass so It just looks like a window shade is pulled down. Works really well and I can just pop the latches and yank out the plug should I need to get out of the window or move out.

Curtains will knock the sound down a little, but mass is what sound proofs a room. The curtains will probably do more to affect the quality of sound inside the room than lower the outside sound intruding.

Gearslutz has a really great studio building section. That is where I got all of my information for my studio build from the studs all the way to finish.

VO Room without Plug

VO Room with plug

Mix Room Without Plug

Mix Room With Plug

Answer 2

Don't bother purchasing or adjusting anything unless you've decided to either "address how the setup sounds by ear", or better, actually do the measurements and then choose action and try stuff accordingly. Otherwise it could be waste of time and money.

The furniture you have there and how they're arranged, will affect the room's sound. The window is actually a (possibly very) minor piece of the whole picture and you can get more changes by just placing the listening position and the furniture in a way that minimizes acoustic problems.

But if you can't treat (and measure!) the room properly, then I think it's not really worth doing "some minor adjustments", like randomly adding some "acoustic curtains".

Answer 3

Hi Cam,

I feel you're asking two questions at the same time. Number 1 is: how do I take care not to be disturbed by outside noises(cars). Nr2: how can I treat the room acoustics? This is mostly answered by Internet Human.

The answer to the first question is related to the second. Is it really the best sounding room (acoustics)? If so then you should try and put a second window in front of you existing window. This can be easily done, simply buy/order the right size sheet of glass. Get good wood to build an extra window frame. There are a lot of DIY guides to do this correctly. There won't be fresh air coming in, so you have decide if that is an option for you.

Good luck

Answer 4

My insanely jet lagged brain decided to type, without making any sense, so ATTEMPT 02

I'm looking for a way to block out excessive ambient traffic noise from a window in the above room. Preferably, with the use of multiple layers of black out curtains or some real thick acoustic ones. I was imagining hanging one set on the rails pictured. And then a second rail covering most of the wall.

Has anyone had any luck or advice with this sort of thing? Any think and affective curtains anyone would recommend? thanks in advance guys. I will edit above

Answer 5

Curtains will do very little to block transmitted noise... the only things that do that are mass and air. If what you're doing is trying to lower transmitted noise, then Arnoud's suggestion is correct. Go to your local Home Depot/Lowes/Hardware Store and get some insulation. There's a brand called Rocksil that has excellent STC values. Use as many layers as is possible. Wrap in plastic and then fabric if you want to be pretty. It can then be placed in the window when needed and removed when not. If you still want more you can also try placing something like Auralex Sheetblok between the layers, but that stuff is EXPENSIVE!

Answer 6

This is quite an extensive topic. There are dedicated places on the Internet where you can read about that in-depth, like this one:

http://www.gearslutz.com/board/studio-building-acoustics/

But I doubt you will be able to block out the traffic noise without some serious mass, like sheetrock/ drywall or thick glass. So be prepared for something like that.