How can I isolate my house's windows from noise? (Low-mid budget)?
Question:My house is next to a garage that works 24x7, they use a power washer and all sort of noisy machinery (they start washing trucks as early as 4:40 am). My son (13 months old) wakes up every single morning because of the noise and I don't know what to do.
Would appreciate if you could help me with some "low budget" improvements that I could make to the windows without having to invest in costly "noise proof" windows.
Answers:
Here are a couple of ways to dampen sound.
Plant thick bushes and trees between the house and the source of the sound.
Place shutters on the exterior of the house's windows.
Construct an insert for the window using something like insulated ceiling tiles. Something that's flush mounted in the window frame, can be removed for the day; kept in place at night with butterfly clips.
Build a high fence along the property line adjacent to the source of the noise.
Move your son's bed to the far side of the room and place an insulated room divider, like those found in office buildings in the construction/creation of cubicles, between the bed and window.
Use something to create white noise within your son's room; perhaps running a fan on the low setting overnight. This won't dampen the sound but rather will help mask the noise.
As long as the crib isn't right by the window, you can put a heavy blanket over the window. That's what I did until I was able to buy new windows to block out the noise. Make sure that when you do get a new window it is aluminum and not vinyl. Vinyl ones don't have the sound barrier that aluminum does and will mold in a few years (3-5).
You might also go to the lumber yard and get a piece of 2" rigid insulation. Carefully measure the window you want to cover and cut the foam by scoring it with a knife and then snapping it into. If you cut it to fit snuggly then you can just press it into the window frame and remove it each morning to store it under the bed or in a closet
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