What do you know about replacement windows?

[berlinsmommy]

I'm so sad. We bought our house 7 years ago when there were farms and fields all around and behind our house people would walk by on their horses.

Now our area has just been booming, we are surrounded by other subdivisions, and they built a major road behind the house. They also built a sound wall, so for the most part its okay, but upstairs in the master bedroom (which is higher than the sound wall), the road noise is unbearable. We are trying to get the basement finished and do some finishing touches to put it on the market and sell it, but I think for our peace of mind and to make it easier to sell, I would like to replace the one window in the master bedroom with a triple or quadruple or super thick glass window. I thought if I looked for energy efficient windows that I would find what I was looking for, since I would assume thicker would also be more energy efficient. When I looked, lots of the "energy efficient" stuff had different coatings, like UV screens and stuff like that, which I'm guessing is great for reducing the sunlight, but would be useless on noise. The window I want to replace also faces north, so paying for UV protection seems pretty pointless.

Does anyone know what kind of windows would be the best at blocking noise? Has anyone been through this? What should I look for? Honestly, I want to get the most sound deadening but don't care at all about custom colors, custom hardware, and all the other fancy stuff the pricier windows come with. Thought? Help? TIA!!!

[Jusk]

We replaced every window in our house last year. (35 year old house). I can't even begin to tell you the difference that it made in the noise reduction. And of course the energy bill etc. But as far as the noise goes.....hmmm....I know that we have double paned windows.....but just that fact that they are "tighter" and installed with no gaps around them etc...makes for noise reduction. I am in an area where Hurricane proof windows are required so I'm sure they are more soundproof than non hurricane proof.

Last year I was working for some realtors. I would do open houses on Sundays for them. One house was near an interstate and had a very beautiful landscaped back yard. The problem was if you sat in the yard...you could hear the highway noise. They installed a fountain that "babbles" and it drowns out some of the traffic noise.

I would call a window company and try to get an explanation from them as to what features to compare if your main concern is noise reduction.
HTH

[daltregirl]

I work in the demolition field, so the last time we took down a house near a small airport, it had special noise reduction windows in it. We saved them for resale in our salvage yard and put one in my bedroom. Huge difference, I cant hear the 100 windchimes on the house next door, even in a storm.

See if there is a salvage place near you, maybe you can find something there. If you cant find a listing in your local phone book, pm me and I can check the nation wide listing (bluebook) for something near you

[JANE4girls]

I have a similiar question but don't mean to threadjack.

I have double paned windows. Apparently my yard guys broke one on accident while mowing (ran over a tennis ball in the yard and it hit the window) The ball only hit through the first layer, so I am not leaking house air.

A neighbor said he could replace the window for me, that all he needed to do was get glass from Home Depot.

My question for all you pros is this? Can it just be replaced like the old windows could, or since it is double paned does it have to be done a special way to prevent humidity from getting in between the layers?

My neighbor tried calling the yard guy, on my behalf, and the yard guy said I would have to call and discuss it with him since it is my house and we made the deal about the yard service and not my neighbor.

[TheWoman]

You can't just replace the glass. You have to replace both layers at the same time or you will have consendation in between during the winter. When you buy them, the 2 pieces of glass will come sealed together at the edges and that keeps outside air out. Get it done by someone who knows what they are doing or you will just have to do it again later.

[shashabell]

Originally Posted by JANE4girls I have a similiar question but don't mean to threadjack. I have double paned windows. Apparently my yard guys broke one on accident while mowing (ran over a tennis ball in the yard and it hit the window) The ball only hit through the first layer, so I am not leaking house air. A neighbor said he could replace the window for me, that all he needed to do was get glass from Home Depot. My question for all you pros is this? Can it just be replaced like the old windows could, or since it is double paned does it have to be done a special way to prevent humidity from getting in between the layers? My neighbor tried calling the yard guy, on my behalf, and the yard guy said I would have to call and discuss it with him since it is my house and we made the deal about the yard service and not my neighbor.

If you know the company that installed them, I'd have them replace the window. Otherwise, call around to some window companies come and give you estimate and have them come out and do it. I don't think you can just add a piece of glass from home depot. Aren't there gases that are in between the panes?

[zookeepermel]

Double pane glass has to be replaced with another double pane unit (2 layers of glass w/ a layer of gas sealed inbetween). Usually, you have to measure and then special order the glass. Most glass replacement places can do it. What type of window is it? Vinyl, wood, tilt in etc. Can you see how to get the pane out? It is less expensive for you to take the window or pane to the glass place compared to having someone come out - esp if they have to make 2 trips - 1 to measure and 1 to replace.

Originally Posted by JANE4girls I have a similiar question but don't mean to threadjack. I have double paned windows. Apparently my yard guys broke one on accident while mowing (ran over a tennis ball in the yard and it hit the window) The ball only hit through the first layer, so I am not leaking house air. A neighbor said he could replace the window for me, that all he needed to do was get glass from Home Depot. My question for all you pros is this? Can it just be replaced like the old windows could, or since it is double paned does it have to be done a special way to prevent humidity from getting in between the layers? My neighbor tried calling the yard guy, on my behalf, and the yard guy said I would have to call and discuss it with him since it is my house and we made the deal about the yard service and not my neighbor.

[JANE4girls]

after the second attempt to get hold of the people the builder used, I got a human...as opposed to a stump, lol.

At first they were going to charge me $65 up front to come out and look at it to measure, even though I told them they should have a record since they installed it. Then it would be $100 for the glass. And the $65 would not apply towards the price of the glass.

Then after getting mad since apparently everyone is a scripted employee (ie they can only tell you what is written down) , I called back and told them, "your company installed my windows for the builder and I need one replaced."

Within 24 hours a foreman called me back, got my plan name and gave me a price $97...and that also included replacement of the screen too.