Sound proofing my noisy room!

ekimeno

ekimeno

Suspended / Banned
Messages
2,659
Name
Mike
Edit My Images
Yes
Yeah, I hear you say - come to a photography forum to ask about sound proofing! Good one, mate!

I've just moved into a fantastic house in London with 2 of my friends, but it's right on a high street. After spending a couple of nights in the house with my bedroom window on the high street, I've noticed that the sound from the traffic is extremely noisy - something must be done...

I want to look at double glazing this window, but I wasn't sure if standard glazing would be right for eliminating the sound. OK, I know that I'll never get rid of 100% of the noise, but I was hoping to reduce it by 50-75%. Any advice on what to do and who to approach would be much appreciated. :wave:

Oh, and happy Easter to everyone! :)
 
Good quality double glazing will help to an extent. Check to make sure you're not in a conservation type area where you may be limited to the type of window units you can use. Heavy black-out curtains will help too.
 
Triple glazing:) I have it on my conservatory and I need to shout for Mrs G to hear from the other side.
 
Last edited:
Triple glazing will be your best bet, but there will usually be a compromise of sorts.

The optimum gap between the panes for heat insulation is about 3/4", but for sound it is nearer 3".

I'd research it on the web.
Double glazing companies will tell you anything that gets a sale/
 
Cool, thanks for the responses. I'm on the 2nd floor and the window is about 5ft x 4ft. I'll be phoning some window companies in my area on Tuesday to get a quote for triple glazing then (didn't know they did this). In the meantime, ear plugs will have to do for sleeping... :sulk:

If the glazing job is quite expensive I may need to invest in some heavy duty curtains in the meantime (I've only got some wooden horizontal blinds on there now).
 
You may not think so at the moment, but you will quickly get used to the noise.
 
well strange this happen sometimes...people post about odd subjects and someone will know something...

the question is..is the noise coming in the window or is it flanking noise coming in through the structure as well as the window? Double glazing will help reduce the airbourne noise through the window by a large amount, that normally covers it
 
heavy curtains may resuce a small amount of high Frequency noise but thats all, unless you get speacial acoustic ones, which can cost as much as double glazing...
 
expect £1000+ for decent glazing that will have any effect on sound.

Do you own the house? Even leasehold you may need to check with the freeholder for permission.

Is it at night or day?

I would go with secondary glazing - for the large gap you need, or internal acoustic shutters.
 
And if none of that works, you will get used to it...

My Nan used to live right on the Rochester Way in Well Hall (for all you Lunnoners) and even when I was a kid it was noisy as hell...you adapt very quickly.
 
I thought a photo of the offending window may help...

IMG_7694.jpg


The house is rented, so really the responsibility of the landlord to do upgrades like this... of course he doesn't have to do it, though I could convince him that it would increase the value of the property. Double glazing is pretty standard for busy areas in London... not to mention that it keeps the cold out and saves on energy bills.
 
the window can be replaced, but i bet a pound to a piece of rocking horse crap that its coming in the roof too
 
It's rented!, well that is a whole new ball game, sorry, but to steal a line from Matty, I will also bet a pound to a piece of rocking horse crap that the landlord can not be persuaded to fit double glazing on the basis of it increasing the value of his property, why?, because he is a landlord, most spend as little as possible on their portfolio.

How about, for a quick temporary fix, pop along to builders merchant and buy a sheet of 50mm polystyrene insulation board, cheap as chips, light, just cut it to size and wedge it in before you go to bed, depending on the size of the window you may need to join two together.

http://www.wickes.co.uk/Constructional-Insulation/Polystyrene-Insulation/icat/cipolyinsul
 
Last edited:
Where have you moved to Mike??
 
It's reading threads like this when I'm sure am glad to be partially hearing (I have a 60% hearing loss and have to wear hearing aids. Without them I'm deaf as a post).
Sorry this was not of any help and hadn't provided any constructive advice, it just made me feel a little better about myself. :D :naughty:
 
Me to Ian :D

Galaxy has the best answer, but with summer coming up you will want air, air means noise , You will soon get used to it :'(

I once lived in a noisy main road house ( when my hearing was ok)
And went to a relative for a week.
The house was in a quite village........................and I could not sleep for the lack of noise......:shrug:
 
matty said:
the window can be replaced, but i bet a pound to a piece of rocking horse crap that its coming in the roof too
Click to expand...

Yep. I'd also say that it is likely that if we have a hot summer (which is being predicted) you will melt in there and will need the window open for air.

Assuming crap roof insulation, you'll freeze in winter as well.
 
A good quality, high-powered rifle can solve the most troublesome neighbours and associated noises.

A few pot-shots taken and a few casualties will soon ensure you're in peace.

I mean - I say "peace" - it will stop the traffic and get rid of any pedestrians, though you might find you're bothered by an officious little man with a megaphone for a while.

Take him out too and you'll be fine.
 
Myky D said:
A good quality, high-powered rifle can solve the most troublesome neighbours and associated noises.

A few pot-shots taken and a few casualties will soon ensure you're in peace.

I mean - I say "peace" - it will stop the traffic and get rid of any pedestrians, though you might find you're bothered by an officious little man with a megaphone for a while.

Take him out too and you'll be fine.
Click to expand...

Well, even for Out of focus that's a particularly unhelpful and unecessary reply. I'll add it to the list for the year end awards :shake:
 
dod said:
Well, even for Out of focus that's a particularly unhelpful and unecessary reply. I'll add it to the list for the year end awards :shake:
Click to expand...

Well even for a mod that's unhelpful and unnecessarily humourless.

The irony, of course, of your posting in the thread and not PMing me instead, of course, is beautiful.
 
No it wasn't, Yv, it was merely unpleasantness; but thanks - I'll take your advising me of rank-pulling tactics.

I'll shut up and go away. Sorry for upsetting you, guys.
 
fraggle101 said:
Where have you moved to Mike??
Click to expand...

Tony, I've moved back to East Finchley (woohoo!) and it's right on the high street above the electrical shop. Fantastic place actually - massive rooms. I'm already thinking the lounge could easily be converted into a studio. Just need me some decent lighting, backdrops - boom my place is converted into a fashion model hangout :naughty:

Galaxy66 said:
It's rented!, well that is a whole new ball game, sorry, but to steal a line from Matty, I will also bet a pound to a piece of rocking horse crap that the landlord can not be persuaded to fit double glazing on the basis of it increasing the value of his property, why?, because he is a landlord, most spend as little as possible on their portfolio.

How about, for a quick temporary fix, pop along to builders merchant and buy a sheet of 50mm polystyrene insulation board, cheap as chips, light, just cut it to size and wedge it in before you go to bed, depending on the size of the window you may need to join two together.

http://www.wickes.co.uk/Constructional-Insulation/Polystyrene-Insulation/icat/cipolyinsul
Click to expand...

Great idea Galaxy. I'm going to have a word with the landlord this afternoon, but if he's not keen on increasing the value of his property, this may have to suffice. ;)
 
Last edited:
With the op mentioning windows, everyone was focused on keeping the noise out of the room, perhaps ear plugs would be a better remedy if it is only for sleeping.
 
you can get acoustic glass that would help, but it is expensive from what i remember. but the roof is most of the problem here, same thing in my house.
 
Thats great Mike, iv been after a place to set up as a studio!! :p
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top