Are you living a few meters away from the main road? Are your windows facing it? Then you probably had enough share of the noises coming from blaring car speakers, blaring car horns, screeching trucks, and talking or shouting people walking by.The thing is, your windows are among the best gateways for sound. Windows are structurally unsound especially regular windows. To reduce the noise coming from the outside, you must soundproof your windows. The question is, can you soundproof a window?
You can block the sound coming into your windows with DIY methods or you can use products for soundproofing such as soundproof plastic film for windows. Plastic film for windows is specially made for this purpose – to block noise from getting in a room. Before we dig deeper as to what can a plastic film do to solve your noise problem, let us talk about the different methods of soundproofing a window first.
Two Ways of Soundproofing Your Window
There are two known ways to soundproof a window – you can do using DIY methods or by installing soundproofing or sound-absorbing products to your windows.
Let us take a look at some DIY methods that you can do to dampen the sound coming through your windows.
DIY Ways to Soundproof a Window
The good news is, you can do a few steps and be able to soundproof your room. With these steps, you no longer have to purchase any soundproofing products. It won’t completely deaden the sound coming outside, but it can lessen the noise.
1. Rearrange your Furniture
Sound travels by bouncing off the walls. It stops when it reaches a surface. In a small room, once it bounces off from one wall to another, it loses energy and power and the sound dies easily. If you want the noise to die easily before reaching your room, you can place obstacles along its path.
How? Place furniture directly towards your window. This can block the light coming in, so is the sound. If you don’t mind a darker room, then having a bookshelf towards your window is a good way to deaden the sound coming from the main road.
If you love the natural light coming in from your window, you can still use your bookshelves to dampen the sound coming from the outside. You can place your bookshelves or cabinets on the side.
2. Hanging Bedsheet or Thick Curtains
- Thermaplus blackout product will block 100% of all incoming light.
- The layered properties create a hotel quality 100% true, total blackout environment while also providing absolute privacy, heating and cooling cost-cutting benefits, as well as sound dampening.
3. DIY Window Plugs
Window plugs are wood or mat that you can place over your window to keep the sunlight out. It is also a way to keep the noise out. Making a DIY window plug is easy as long as you have basic skills like cutting wood, gluing foam, and attaching it to your windows.
If you are not sure how to do it, you can follow these steps to make a window plug. Why use window plugs? Because once it is completed, you can just plug it out after using it and plug it back in when you need silence again.
4. Putting A Sign on The Road
Well, this is not a DIY way to soundproof your window, but it can at least help in reducing those unwanted sounds. You can put a large sign in front of your home asking drivers to avoid unnecessary honking. You can also add a friendly reminder to drive safely and use their brakes wisely to avoid making a screeching sound.
Before you put out a sign though, check with your local officials if it is legal to do so in your area.
Soundproofing or Sound-Absorbing Products to Soundproof A Window
1. Acoustic Caulk
For small gaps and cracks like between your window and window frame, you can use acoustic caulks to keep the sound outside. Acoustic caulks can help stop air and noise from traveling inside.
Acoustic caulk is a rubber-like material, non-flammable, latex-base, and is specially designed to block sound. When applied, it doesn’t bulge or disconnects easily from the surface you attached it to and doesn’t shrink. It maintains elasticity once attached and used as a blockade against noise.
2. Soundproof Blankets
- Professional-grade: Oversized, 80" x 72" premium quality moving pads that provide exceptional damage protection from scratches, nicks, dirt, and moisture when moving or transporting furniture, appliances, and other valuable large items
- Superior cushioning: Constructed with thick, padded virgin cotton batting with polyester binding, these packing blankets offer superior protection compared to most competitor's blankets made from inferior materials. Zig-zag stitching holds inner cushioning in place for consistent padding protection and prolonged pad life.
3. Soundproof Panel
If you don’t have large bookshelves to block your window, you can purchase soundproof acoustic panels. Acoustic panels are thicker and bulkier when compared to soundproof blankets. The effect is way better too.
Soundproof panels are made of fiberglass. It works by acting as a sound barrier or a stopper. It reduces the noise coming into your room through your windows. Installing acoustic panels is easy to install. It comes with grommets on the side so you can hang it like a regular curtain. The closer it is to your window, the better sound absorption it can do.
4. Adding Extra-Layer of Glass Window
This is not just costly, it also requires planning. If the noise coming from the main road is giving you sleepless nights, you can cover your current windows with an acrylic material or a glass material. To do this, you have to install a metal frame to the existing window, then place a specialized magnet that will hold the acrylic or glass over your existing window.
5. Use Window Film
Window film is a new technology that promises to cancel noise before it enters your windows without needing to close your windows. This amazing technology works like a noise-cancellation headset. It even comes with a bonus, this soundproof window film can even allow you to play music.
A soundproof window film is made of polymer with transparent lamination. It is a two-layer polymer film and in between is a built-in speaker. When noise comes in, it is absorbed by the first panel of film and is blocked by the second panel. Instead of hearing that noise coming from the outside, you will hear the music coming from the speaker in between.
This technology is still very futuristic though. We are just hoping to see in the market in the next few years once the great engineers from Singapore who developed it finish
- Striking Pattern, Stylish Decoration: With special irregular patterns, this window privacy film creates rainbow visual effect when sunlight shines through after installation and brings unique decoration on your windows, a cost-effective alternative to heavy expensive curtains or blinds
- Strong Sunlight Blocked, Harmful UV Rejected: Made of premium vinyl material, the window film effectively reduces annoying glares, blocks out 84% UVA rays and 99% UVB rays, and protects your skin and furniture from getting directly exposed to sunlight; By letting filtered natural light in, glass film creates a soft atmosphere for you
The Three Best Soundproof Products for Your Windows
1. SECURA THE ORIGINAL TEA KETTLE
- EFFECTIVE DESIGN THAT IS EASY TO INSTALL. Wedge style angled design ensures optimum sound absorbency. The acoustical barrier can be applied for permanent or temporary use. We suggest our Acoustic Foam Adhesive Square 24 Pack (available separately on Amazon) You can also use 3M General Purpose 45 adhesive spray, push pins, impaling clips, strong double sided tape, or 3M Command Strips, (not included).
- HELPS WITH NOISE REDUCTION. One inch thick foam is used to absorb mid to high frequencies and to control and trap echoes. Wedge style is comparable to eggshell foam and is best for when absolute sound deadening is not imperative, but moderate sound deadening is desired.
To keep your room quieter especially at night, you can install an acoustic studio foam in your windows. If you want to keep the light during day time, you can easily take this soundproofing product down and put it back in at night or when you are about to sleep. Installing this acoustic studio foam is very easy. You can use adhesive or push pins to put it in place.
This acoustic studio foam is one inch thick, allowing it to absorb even high-frequency noises. It also reduces echoes, so it also works for recording studios. Acoustic foam with wedge design has a better effect on deadening sound because it works as an egg carton. The shape stops the noise from bouncing back.
Pros
- Optimum sound absorption
- Easy to install
- Effective with high-frequency noise
- Fire retardant material
- Lightweight
Cons
- Shrinks when regularly exposed to sunlight
- Minimal soundproofing effect
2. Acoustic Window Curtain
- Thermaplus blackout product will block 100% of all incoming light.
- The layered properties create a hotel quality 100% true, total blackout environment while also providing absolute privacy, heating and cooling cost-cutting benefits, as well as sound dampening.
While waiting for those incredible window films we are talking about to hit the market, you can hang this soundproof curtain on your window for now. This window curtain is easy to install. It comes with grommets and is set up like a regular curtain.
During the day, you can also use this acoustic window curtain as a UV-light blocking curtain.
Pros
- Aesthetic advantage
- Easy to install
- Different designs
Cons
- Minimal soundproofing effect
3. Mass Loaded Vinyl
- Premium Quality Material [PVC based not EVA]: These vinyl sheets are made in the US with superior quality, highly durable extruded virgin material, weighing 1 pound per square foot, with 1/8” thickness and STC rating of 27. A heavy-duty, long lasting texture guaranteed to withstand the test of time without easily tearing! Best Seller, Over 2 Million square feed sold!
- The Perfect Solution: Whether for walls ceilings, ducts or pipes, studio projects, movie theaters or residential applications, the TMS sound proof padding is a smart, affordable solution which creates a highly effective noise barrier without implying major costs, expensive handymen or your precious time.
For ultimate sound barrier on your windows, you can cover it with this mass loaded vinyl. This product can be used anywhere such as windows, ceilings, and doors. Its main purpose is as a barrier. It blocks noise from coming in.
This mass loaded vinyl is eco-friendly and doesn’t have any unwanted odor. This soundproofing mass loaded vinyl can reduce ordinary sound by 90% such as people talking on the other room or a sound from a car passing by.
Pros
- Easy to install
- Effective with low-frequency noise
Cons
- It can darken your entire room
- Minimal soundproofing effect for high-frequency noise
When Do You Expect to See Window Films in the Market?
These three window soundproofing products are easy to find and easy to use. The effect though is not as effective as you might expect. For the best result, you need to use these soundproofing products with other soundproofing products.
If you are waiting for the real soundproofing window film product to hit the market, it might not be anytime soon. While waiting, we would like to increase your excitement by giving you the potential benefits of installing soundproof windows film.
- It offers more privacy
- It significantly reduces noise
- It is compatible with any type of glass window
- It is perfect for any room
- It is thermal efficient
- It plays free music
What to Expect from a Soundproof Window Film?
Once this technology is released, you can expect it to come with a high STC. STC or Sound Transmission Class is the classification rating of how effective a product is when it comes to blocking noise. If material comes to high STC, you can expect it to work like a charm.
Once these engineers from Singapore are done with their latest soundproofing technology, you can expect to have an open soundproof window. How great it would be to enjoy the view out of your window without worrying about the noise coming from the main road.
Is Soundproof Window Film Worth Waiting?
Until it hits the market, we cannot say whether it is worth waiting for this product. For now, we can only hope for the next best thing in soundproofing technology.
In the meantime, it is best to continue exploring options while trying the different soundproofing methods available in the market today. For best result, combine two methods like soundproofing panel and window plugs to keep your peace and silence especially at night. You can also place a soundproof panel to your window then cover it with a soundproof curtain for style. The good thing is, when it comes to blocking the noise from your windows, you have plenty of options and different products to help you.