If you enjoy the bustle of activity, then living near a busy street may seem like a good idea. Unfortunately, noise from outdoors can sometimes disturb the peace indoors. Fortunately, a window upgrade can help reduce the noise in your house so you can enjoy some quiet moments at home.

1. Count The Panes

One element of reducing sound is increasing the amount of materials that sound has to travel through. For this reason, multi-pane windows provide some sound-proofing simply because there will be more material for the sound waves to breach. The gas layer between panes doesn't slow sound conduction, but each pane of glass will. Make sure to choose at least double pane windows. If budget isn't a concern, triple pane windows will provide more sound resistance while also increasing insulation values.

2. Consider Glass Thickness

Soundproof windows are available, and one of their key features is that they have thicker glass panes compared to traditional windows. Thicker glass helps slow sound transmission. When you combine two different thicknesses of glass in a double-paned window, then sound reduction is even greater. For this reason, it is much more effective to choose multi-paned windows that are also listed as sound-proof, as they will utilize glass thickness to further reduce sound.

3. Pay Attention to Frame Material

Sound can also transmit through frame material. Some materials are simply more capable of absorbing sound. Wood provides optimum sound absorption, in part due to its thickness and also because thicker woods simply don't conduct sound well. Aluminum conducts sound more readily than wood, but not nearly as much as vinyl. If you don't want the upkeep of wood frames, consider getting aluminum or vinyl frames that are constructed around an interior wood core.

4. Insist On Proper Installation

Any air gaps around the window can compromise any sound-reducing capabilities of the window. Make sure that the windows are installed properly and that any and all air gaps are properly caulked and filled in. Not only will this further reduce sound, it will also ensure that you don't have any air leaks that could lead to higher energy bills.

5. Install Window Plugs

Soundproof windows may not be enough on the noisiest side of the house. Window plugs are soundproof removable covers that are made to fit the window with no caps, similar to a storm window but typically opaque and made of a sound-absorbent material. You can have these made to fit your new windows at the time of installation.

To learn more about replacement windows, contact a window replacement dealer near you.