sound proofing windows..?

Ok, I've just about got my home cinema / hifi room done now - and the only issue I have is due to the fact that this room is on a main road and at times I like the volume to be fairly low - I'm after some kind of sound proofing that I can have on the window, the window is a standard wooden sash kind…

I'm not after anything expensive - but something that could allow me to still open the windows if possible - either by having some kind of window itself (that can open!), or the fixture can be removed..?

I haven't a clue if anything like this exists..? - does anyone have an idea..?

 

What you need is secondary Glazing, basically it is usually consists of aluminium frames containing glas, that slide as you suggest, to open, contact you local builder/glazer.

 

cheers - but its a reneted house, so, I don't really want to do any major modifications to the place, or spend to much dosh...!

 

Don't think their is a cheaper less permanent effective soulution then, good luck.

 

Hi

You can get kits from diy stores that will provide you with a secondary glazing system these vary from a acrylic sheet mounted in a plastic channel which is attached to a frame which can be stuck to the existing sash, they come with a sticky tape provided, removal is simple, although a dependent on the finish of the sash some damage i.e. paint loss my occur , there are hinged types as well, this can provide a fast and semi permanent solution, one thing to note is that from memory a single sheet of glass gives around 60 db of attenuation and another gives a further 6db approx , I last got a kit from wicks, the acrylic can be cut/scored with a sharp knife and then snapped rather like glass, it takes very little time install, I would say a visit to you local diy store was in order to see what they have to offer .

Good luck

Stuart

 

Would the acrylic not cause more problems due to vibration, this stuff is only about 4 mil thick?

 

Best thing is to move to the country, away from all those horrid wound up city dwellers
That way you can listen as loud or quiet as you like with no disturbance (apart from the occasional scream as a fox tears a bunnie to shreds, or the local lampers bait a badger..)

 

Hows the pre Leonard?

 

Very heavy curtains???

GTM

 

A single sheet of glass gives you nowhere near 60dB, though I wish it would!

Mass and airtightness are the way to keep noise out (or in). If you want to retain the view secondary glazing is the way to go, as heavy a pane of glass as you can afford* and keep the cavity between the panes deep, say 100mm. You could probably fabricate a frame to carry the glass that slides into the opening, like a box lid - line the inside of the frame (four sides) with absorbant material, say 30mm of foam, and seal to the existing window reveal with silicone or just tape over the gap if you want to remove it easily. That'll buy you ~15-20dB more isolation. It'll look a bit like this in section:http://www.customaudiodesigns.co.uk/articles/howtowindows.htm

When you move, you could always re-use it as a cloche in the garden...



*min. 6mm, preferably 10mm - though 10mm could require two people to lift if the window is a fair size)

 

That would give you the added benefit of being protected from drive by shootings too

Michael.

 

Wherabouts exactly in Portugal do you reside?

 

MIcheal - you want polycarbonate for that

 

Sounds absolutely brilliant...
However, it still hums loudly through the speakers when there's no signal going through it - I measured a voltage of 50mV across the speaker terminals, it was about 0.02mV with my passive pre so I'm still in contact with Bo who seems like a thoroughly decent chap.

 

I'd be interested in the outcome, glad to hear you like it, some will dismiss Bow stuff after various long and protracted arguments between me and another member, who they think they might agree with, their loss as far as I'm concerned, does the music stuff does the hifi stuff, and rarely fails to get my feet tapping. Funny thing is the Warlock, Walrus, Wizard, are superb as a sytem, not many brands can say that, hence the reason for the mix and match. Hope you enjoy many happy hours with it.

P

 

More fool them!
Though I'm sticking with the Bryston power amp - haven't found anything that has such an iron grip on my speakers, 150-odd piddly little Bow Walrus watts just won't be enough!!!!

 

Saying that 150 w but 1400va, not that far behind the brystons IIRC, still not arguing with you, but my speakers are pretty efficient, can't see how I'd need any more power. 600WPC even saying that gives me a nosebleed!