I moved to a house last summer that is located about 150 yards from a busy highway. during the summer it wasn’t so bad, but now that the leaves have all fallen, the traffic noise is getting bothersome in the master bedroom, which is on the side of the house closest to the highway.
I’m thinking about what to do as far as adding some extra noise protection to the bedroom walls that face highway. I figure a good start will be to add another layer of sheetrock to the exterior wall, open up the casings around the windows and fill with spray-foam, and make extra glass inserts which would fit over the interior of the existing windows (which are the crank out casement type).
I’ll probably only stay at this house for another year of so, so not wanting to go for any ulta expensive sonic materials or techniques, but I’m interested in any advice anyone has on this subject.
Replies
"I'll probably only stay at this house for another year of so, so not wanting to go for any ulta expensive sonic materials or techniques, but I'm interested in any advice anyone has on this subject."
If you are only in for a year, I'd suggest noise-cancelling headphones :-)
I've found that even foam earplugs arn't that hard to sleep in, but, I'd still like to fix it a little better. It'd make the girlfriend alot happier.
i run a 12 inch hunter table fan year round for noise control. i never hear traffic anymore. $52.
For what it's worth, I've found that a clean sock, kept in place with a snugly-tied bandana, has kept the kids from rolling their eyes at DW in the AM.
...But I guess you're talking about sound traveling in the other direction...
AitchKay
I was gonna suggest simply get married ...
Jeff Buck Construction
Artistry In Carpentry
Pittsburgh Pa
That's it!AitchKay
my advice since you are a youngster at just 40 YO!
get an older girlfriend or marry a 20 year older woman ........ or you pair quit drinking that whole bottle of JD or Chevas or Grey Goose before retiring!!!
(in a humorous mood tonight) <G>
PS: Dont ask how I know that!
Edited 1/26/2009 10:12 pm ET by junkhound
I think the widow cover will make the most difference. Just something that will snuggly fit the window frame and hold the plexy in a soft cauked slotted frame. Heavy curtains might finish the job.
Tu stultus es
Rebuilding my home in Cypress, CA
Also a CRX fanatic!
Look, just send me to my drawer. This whole talking-to-you thing is like double punishment.
"I think the widow cover will make the most difference."I don't do widows.AitchKay
I away's get myself into some sort of trouble on here... oh well, won't be the last time.
Sounds like the windows make the most sense to start with. There's 4 of them in the room, so I might try to make a double glazed insert which will fit nicely where the screen normally goes - which is on the interior for these windows.
The small fan should help too.
I would go with some lined curtains and a fan. My wife lived in an apartment before we got married years ago that was very poorly constructed. You could almost hear the neighbors folding cloths... well maybe not that bad but close. She is a light sleeper and used a 20" floor fan on low at night. The fan created just enough noise to drown out the neighbors. We didn't need the curtains but I think that would really help with the window noise and be an option that your spouse might find less objectionable. Steve
Thanks, I'll start with the heavy curtains.. already have some light weight ones, but I'll add another layer underneth them.
Since this is temporary, use drapes. Very thick, heavy, floor to ceiling and wall to wall. Easy up and easy removal.
Think movie theater type...buic
It's not a good idea to put storm windows on the inside.
"and make extra glass inserts which would fit over the interior of the existing windows (which are the crank out casement type)."
You end up creating a condensation point inside the exterior window.
Storm windows go on the outside.
I've seen where people have done this and there was rot around the windows.
I'd use a heavy blanket or almost a throw rug.
I have put foam board on the outside of a window. Cut it real tight and then caulk around it in a few places.
It does look bad form the outside though.
Edited 1/27/2009 12:18 am ET by popawheelie