Best Soundproof Replacements on East Coast
Hi all, just discovered this forum today and the wealth of window information is generally amazing. I couldn't find the answer to my situation so would greatly appreciate if someone could advise me on the best window (and installation) options or alternatively, suggest a course of action that could be better.
I recently purchased a condo unit in NJ (very close to NYC) that I didn't realize had a major noise problem due to nightclub-like conditions at a seemingly posh restaurant immediately across the street. As our entire family (2-month old daughter, wife, me) is very sensitive to noise, I need to find a way to reduce (and hopefully almost competely eliminate) the noise from the offensive "restaurant".
The details of my situation are below:
1) I am on the 5th floor condo directly across from the restaurant, with 8 ~45' x 70' single hung windows and 1 ~85' x ~70' fixed un-openable window, all with wood frames.
2) The original windows are of subpar quality in every condo unit. The pieces no longer fit together easily and the top part also slides down, requiring that I manually push it back up in order to lock. I cannot get 2 of the windows to lock no matter what I do, meaning that those 2 also have significant air/noise leakage.
3) The noise I hear is mostly (i) bass dance rhythms and (ii) loud drunk clubbers on the street.
4) When there is noise and I put my ear close to the windows, I hear that the windows are the source of the vast majority of the noise that comes into the unit. When I put my ear close to the wall below the window, I hear only a very muted sound.
Given the sad state of my current windows, I plan to replace the windows as opposed to adding supplementary options (e.g. SoundProof Windows), understanding that the cost will be more significant but the resulting utility (can actually use my windows freely) greater.
After spending the few days researching various options, I started to focus on Milgard's Quietline windows for their great sound-blocking attributes, particularly since I need to block rhythmic bass noise. Unfortunately, I am not able to purchase these windows because Milgard does not operate on the East Coast. Cost-wise, I am willing to pay for top-notch quality as (i) my quality of life would greatly improve and (ii) the investment would feasibly pay for itself in property value increase in the expensive NYC area and possible energy cost savings.
My newbie questions are:
A) Would the Milgard Quietline windows have been a good choice for my "nightclub" noise problems? Would my wood frame have been a problem with the vinyl Quietline windows?
B) What are similar high-STC windows that are available to someone in the NYC area? And any recommendations for contractors in the NYC area?
Though all of the ~130 units in the 8-year-old condo have the same subpar windows and problems, I may be the first one to seriously look into replacing the windows according to building management. From discussions with new neighbors, I think they're waiting for me to be the guinea pig.
Any advice, including on something I may not have considered at all, would be greatly appreciated.
This post was edited by lee71959 on Wed, Aug 27, 14 at 18:03
Out of the Woods Inc.- Window & Door Specialists
kiko_gw
millworkman
lee71959Original Author
millworkman
lee71959Original Author
Out of the Woods Inc.- Window & Door Specialists
lee71959Original Author
millworkman
Windows on Washington Ltd
ksc36
EFHouseman
Windows on Washington Ltd
Residential Acoustics, LLC