|
Home > Archive > Home Repair forum > June 2007 > Soundproofing traffic noise
You are viewing an archived Text-only version of the thread.
To view this thread in it's original format and/or if you want to reply to
this thread please [click here]
| Author |
Soundproofing traffic noise
|
|
| Paulaner@nospam.com 2007-06-27, 1:25 pm |
| I'm looking for anyone with experience solving a soundproofing issue.
I have the privilege of owing a nice condo at a beach resort, but I
really don't sleep well there due to the constant traffic noise. The
condo is about 30 yards from the costal highway and it can get quite
loud. Apparently it's very cool to alter your truck's exhaust system
and rev the engine at 2:00 am. Are guys modifying the motorcycle
exhaust systems too?
The building is concrete with a dryvit styrofoam facing, so I think
that's doing a fine job of noise reduction. The bulk of the noise
seems to be coming through the sliding glass doors at the south end of
the unit. One in the master BR and one in the LR.
These glass sliders look to be cheap builders grade low cost doors.
They slide fine, don't leak in storms, and generally work ok, but they
are your basic 6' sliders. I want to keep the glass doors because
they connect to the balcony, let in light, and give nice views.
Should I look into buying new glass doors? Do I go top of the line
name brand from the local vendor, or are some better than others?
I did read that adding a 2nd door outside the original will help, but
I'm not sure I want that drastic of a solution.
What about rolling blinds? The kind that roll up into an exterior box
at the top of the window. Will these just block light, or do they
actually help with traffic noise.
I'm sure there are other folks who have similar issues, how did you
solve them?
| |
| George 2007-06-27, 1:25 pm |
| Paulaner@nospam.com wrote:
> I'm looking for anyone with experience solving a soundproofing issue.
> I have the privilege of owing a nice condo at a beach resort, but I
> really don't sleep well there due to the constant traffic noise. The
> condo is about 30 yards from the costal highway and it can get quite
> loud. Apparently it's very cool to alter your truck's exhaust system
> and rev the engine at 2:00 am. Are guys modifying the motorcycle
> exhaust systems too?
I am amazed how many people think it is cool to generate noise by
altering the exhaust system on their motorcycles or trucks.
I remember being about 8 years old and discovering you could tie a
balloon on your bike to make noise. I did that for a while and outgrew
it and as an adult I have no interest in reverting to childhood.
It is pretty difficult to block that high of a noise level at those
frequencies.
How about contacting everyone involved to enforce existing noise
requirements. Get your neighbors involved too.
>
> The building is concrete with a dryvit styrofoam facing, so I think
> that's doing a fine job of noise reduction. The bulk of the noise
> seems to be coming through the sliding glass doors at the south end of
> the unit. One in the master BR and one in the LR.
>
> These glass sliders look to be cheap builders grade low cost doors.
> They slide fine, don't leak in storms, and generally work ok, but they
> are your basic 6' sliders. I want to keep the glass doors because
> they connect to the balcony, let in light, and give nice views.
>
> Should I look into buying new glass doors? Do I go top of the line
> name brand from the local vendor, or are some better than others?
>
> I did read that adding a 2nd door outside the original will help, but
> I'm not sure I want that drastic of a solution.
>
> What about rolling blinds? The kind that roll up into an exterior box
> at the top of the window. Will these just block light, or do they
> actually help with traffic noise.
>
> I'm sure there are other folks who have similar issues, how did you
> solve them?
| |
| Smitty Two 2007-06-27, 1:25 pm |
| In article <as2583p4l7s4o87i393esc0qdiuaofccj4@4ax.com>,
Paulaner@nospam.com wrote:
> I'm looking for anyone with experience solving a soundproofing issue.
> I have the privilege of owing a nice condo at a beach resort, but I
> really don't sleep well there due to the constant traffic noise. The
> condo is about 30 yards from the costal highway and it can get quite
> loud. Apparently it's very cool to alter your truck's exhaust system
> and rev the engine at 2:00 am. Are guys modifying the motorcycle
> exhaust systems too?
>
> The building is concrete with a dryvit styrofoam facing, so I think
> that's doing a fine job of noise reduction. The bulk of the noise
> seems to be coming through the sliding glass doors at the south end of
> the unit. One in the master BR and one in the LR.
>
> These glass sliders look to be cheap builders grade low cost doors.
> They slide fine, don't leak in storms, and generally work ok, but they
> are your basic 6' sliders. I want to keep the glass doors because
> they connect to the balcony, let in light, and give nice views.
>
> Should I look into buying new glass doors? Do I go top of the line
> name brand from the local vendor, or are some better than others?
>
> I did read that adding a 2nd door outside the original will help, but
> I'm not sure I want that drastic of a solution.
>
> What about rolling blinds? The kind that roll up into an exterior box
> at the top of the window. Will these just block light, or do they
> actually help with traffic noise.
>
> I'm sure there are other folks who have similar issues, how did you
> solve them?
Haven't dealt with it, but I'd think dual pane rolling glass doors would
provide a substantial improvement if yours are single pane.
| |
|
| Paulaner@nospam.com wrote in news:as2583p4l7s4o87i393esc0qdiuaofccj4@
4ax.com:
> I'm looking for anyone with experience solving a soundproofing issue.
> I have the privilege of owing a nice condo at a beach resort, but I
> really don't sleep well there due to the constant traffic noise. The
> condo is about 30 yards from the costal highway and it can get quite
> loud. Apparently it's very cool to alter your truck's exhaust system
> and rev the engine at 2:00 am. Are guys modifying the motorcycle
> exhaust systems too?
>
> The building is concrete with a dryvit styrofoam facing, so I think
> that's doing a fine job of noise reduction. The bulk of the noise
> seems to be coming through the sliding glass doors at the south end of
> the unit. One in the master BR and one in the LR.
>
> These glass sliders look to be cheap builders grade low cost doors.
> They slide fine, don't leak in storms, and generally work ok, but they
> are your basic 6' sliders. I want to keep the glass doors because
> they connect to the balcony, let in light, and give nice views.
>
> Should I look into buying new glass doors? Do I go top of the line
> name brand from the local vendor, or are some better than others?
>
> I did read that adding a 2nd door outside the original will help, but
> I'm not sure I want that drastic of a solution.
>
> What about rolling blinds? The kind that roll up into an exterior box
> at the top of the window. Will these just block light, or do they
> actually help with traffic noise.
>
> I'm sure there are other folks who have similar issues, how did you
> solve them?
Not necessarily solved the sound pollution problem but have helped it by
installing double pane windows and sliding door. Big difference in sound
over the old single pane, aluminum frame windows and sliding door. Have you
considered adding storm shutters? You could close them when sleeping and
retract them when you wanted the view. I'm thinking of the segmented
aluminum storm shutter that retracts into a roll above the window or door.
--
---
there should be a "sig" here
| |
| Meat Plow 2007-06-27, 1:25 pm |
| On Wed, 27 Jun 2007 09:26:00 -0700, Smitty Two wrote:
> In article <as2583p4l7s4o87i393esc0qdiuaofccj4@4ax.com>,
> Paulaner@nospam.com wrote:
>
>
> Haven't dealt with it, but I'd think dual pane rolling glass doors would
> provide a substantial improvement if yours are single pane.
I agree, dual pane doors and windows make a big improvement. And a little
white noise in the background from a fan helps your brain ignore other
noises while you sleep (old trick from friend who grew up living in an
apartment)
| |
| scott21230@gmail.com 2007-06-27, 1:25 pm |
| Try wearing ear plugs to go to sleep. They are cheap, effective,
inexpensive, and non addictive.
| |
| Meat Plow 2007-06-27, 1:25 pm |
| On Wed, 27 Jun 2007 10:10:20 -0700, scott21230 wrote:
> Try wearing ear plugs to go to sleep. They are cheap, effective,
> inexpensive, and non addictive.
What if you're living alone and a smoke alarm goes off?
| |
|
|
| Paulaner@nospam.com 2007-06-27, 5:25 pm |
| On Wed, 27 Jun 2007 09:26:00 -0700, Smitty Two
<prestwhich@earthlink.net> wrote:
>In article <as2583p4l7s4o87i393esc0qdiuaofccj4@4ax.com>,
> Paulaner@nospam.com wrote:
>
>
>Haven't dealt with it, but I'd think dual pane rolling glass doors would
>provide a substantial improvement if yours are single pane.
While researching online, I see that some vendors (Pella, Anderson)
list "Sound Transmission Class" and "Outdoor-Indoor Transmission
Class" numbers. I think the higher numbers are better. This may help
me choose a new door if I go that way.
The doors that are installed now are only 3 years old and I think they
are 'dual pane' - I see two peices of glass in there.
| |
| Paulaner@nospam.com 2007-06-27, 5:25 pm |
| On 27 Jun 2007 16:30:20 GMT, Clark <ch2@uswest.net> wrote:
>Paulaner@nospam.com wrote in news:as2583p4l7s4o87i393esc0qdiuaofccj4@
>4ax.com:
>
>
>Not necessarily solved the sound pollution problem but have helped it by
>installing double pane windows and sliding door. Big difference in sound
>over the old single pane, aluminum frame windows and sliding door. Have you
>considered adding storm shutters? You could close them when sleeping and
>retract them when you wanted the view. I'm thinking of the segmented
>aluminum storm shutter that retracts into a roll above the window or door.
I talked to a local company http://www.alutech.com/ about storm
shutters but they didn't have any information about noise reduction.
They generally just do these for weather protection. I'm curious if
the shutters actually help reduce traffic noise.
| |
|
| If you are replacing the sliding doors look for triple pane. Like the double
pane glass units the triple panes are better for heat insulation, and should
improve sound blocking. I also read somewhere that glass units made with
different thicknesses of glass, unlike most units that have all the glass
sheets the same thickness, different thicknesses of glass supposedly will
vibrate at different frequencies and reduce the noise transmitted.
Heavy drapes will also cut down on noise transmission.
<Paulaner@nospam.com> wrote in message
news:s6b583ldvul1ngakd8jrp7dff9hm37kbhh@4ax.com...
> On 27 Jun 2007 16:30:20 GMT, Clark <ch2@uswest.net> wrote:
>
>
>
> I talked to a local company http://www.alutech.com/ about storm
> shutters but they didn't have any information about noise reduction.
> They generally just do these for weather protection. I'm curious if
> the shutters actually help reduce traffic noise.
| |
|
| Paulaner@nospam.com wrote in
news:s6b583ldvul1ngakd8jrp7dff9hm37kbhh@4ax.com:
> On 27 Jun 2007 16:30:20 GMT, Clark <ch2@uswest.net> wrote:
>
>
>
> I talked to a local company http://www.alutech.com/ about storm
> shutters but they didn't have any information about noise reduction.
> They generally just do these for weather protection. I'm curious if
> the shutters actually help reduce traffic noise.
>
My recollection is that they cut down on wind noise but that is a 20+ year
old memory. Maybe somebody else can share recent experience?
--
---
there should be a "sig" here
| |
| Joseph Meehan 2007-06-27, 9:25 pm |
| Paulaner@nospam.com wrote:
> I'm looking for anyone with experience solving a soundproofing issue.
> I have the privilege of owing a nice condo at a beach resort, but I
> really don't sleep well there due to the constant traffic noise. The
> condo is about 30 yards from the costal highway and it can get quite
> loud. Apparently it's very cool to alter your truck's exhaust system
> and rev the engine at 2:00 am. Are guys modifying the motorcycle
> exhaust systems too?
>
http://www.soundproofing.org/
In general you want to block air exchange. Air caries sound very well.
(Try opening your car's window as a train is going by.)
Next you want weight. Heavy things (drywall lead sheets etc.) block
sound well. In your case double pane glass doors.
You also want to prevent any direct solid connections. Stagger wall
studs or use special isolation devices to keep the sound from traveling
through the wall (remember the two cans on a string (well wire actuarially
worked) you want to break the wire).
Filling in wall cavities with sound absorbing materials (accustical
fiberglass bats) will do a little.
Point source control (special absorption material) at the source of the
sound will also help. This might be plants or walls of some sort to
re-direct or absorb the noise.
--
Joseph Meehan
Dia 's Muire duit
| |
| Warren Block 2007-06-28, 3:25 am |
| Paulaner@nospam.com <Paulaner@nospam.com> wrote:
> I'm looking for anyone with experience solving a soundproofing issue.
> I have the privilege of owing a nice condo at a beach resort, but I
> really don't sleep well there due to the constant traffic noise. The
> condo is about 30 yards from the costal highway and it can get quite
> loud. Apparently it's very cool to alter your truck's exhaust system
> and rev the engine at 2:00 am. Are guys modifying the motorcycle
> exhaust systems too?
>
> The building is concrete with a dryvit styrofoam facing, so I think
> that's doing a fine job of noise reduction. The bulk of the noise
> seems to be coming through the sliding glass doors at the south end of
> the unit. One in the master BR and one in the LR.
>
> These glass sliders look to be cheap builders grade low cost doors.
> They slide fine, don't leak in storms, and generally work ok, but they
> are your basic 6' sliders. I want to keep the glass doors because
> they connect to the balcony, let in light, and give nice views.
It's probably worth pulling the inner trim to see what was used to seal
around the frame. Expanding foam seals better than fiberglass. If the
builders were lazy, there may be nothing at all.
--
Warren Block * Rapid City, South Dakota * USA
| |
| Bob M. 2007-06-28, 3:25 am |
|
<Paulaner@nospam.com> wrote in message
news:as2583p4l7s4o87i393esc0qdiuaofccj4@4ax.com...
> I'm looking for anyone with experience solving a soundproofing issue.
> I have the privilege of owing a nice condo at a beach resort, but I
> really don't sleep well there due to the constant traffic noise. The
> condo is about 30 yards from the costal highway and it can get quite
> loud. Apparently it's very cool to alter your truck's exhaust system
> and rev the engine at 2:00 am. Are guys modifying the motorcycle
> exhaust systems too?
Call the cops about that. There are noise laws that will deal with that
problem. No amount of insulation, new doors or new whatever will fix that.
As for the doors, don't get aluminum framed anything. I'd also vote for
french doors rather than sliding doors. Why? The french doors pull in and
seal against something. the top & bottom edge of the sliding doors don't
push against anything to seal; they rely on fabric weatherstrips that wear
out & let sound in. French doors are probably more thug-resistant too; it's
pretty easy to take a sliding door out of it's track from the outside (lift
it up, unless something's in the top track to prevent that) and of course
can be forced open.
| |
| Meat Plow 2007-06-28, 9:25 am |
| On Wed, 27 Jun 2007 21:21:56 -0600, Bob M. wrote:
>
> <Paulaner@nospam.com> wrote in message
> news:as2583p4l7s4o87i393esc0qdiuaofccj4@4ax.com...
>
>
> Call the cops about that. There are noise laws that will deal with that
> problem. No amount of insulation, new doors or new whatever will fix that.
>
> As for the doors, don't get aluminum framed anything. I'd also vote for
> french doors rather than sliding doors. Why? The french doors pull in and
> seal against something. the top & bottom edge of the sliding doors don't
> push against anything to seal; they rely on fabric weatherstrips that wear
> out & let sound in. French doors are probably more thug-resistant too; it's
> pretty easy to take a sliding door out of it's track from the outside (lift
> it up, unless something's in the top track to prevent that) and of course
> can be forced open.
I just put in a sliding glass patio door at my girl's house and you're
right, that whole sliding panel will pop out with just a small prybar. I
didn't tell her that, don't want her to have nightmares.
| |
|
| >I'm looking for anyone with experience solving a soundproofing issue.
>Should I look into buying new glass doors? Do I go top of the line
>What about rolling blinds? The kind that roll up into an exterior box
besides the other suggestions of installing triple pane windows/doors,
heavy (I mean really heavy) drapes and curtains will absorb alot of
sound.
| |
| hallerb@aol.com 2007-06-28, 9:25 am |
| gut walls, have expanding foam installed, excellent insulation and
sound proofing, install low noise drywall, can be mounted on noise
reduction holders but you lose a inch or two of room. install new
noise reduction windows, possibly storm shutters, heavy drapes too.
then create some white noise indoors, leave a box fan running, a noise
generator, rain drops, nice noises like that.
see town council have them put up siigns on the highway no jake brakes
between 9 pm and 6 am.
talk to your neighbors the noise must be bugging them too. besides
they may have some creative solutions
| |
| John Ross 2007-06-28, 9:25 am |
|
Paula...@nospam.com wrote:
> I'm looking for anyone with experience solving a soundproofing issue.
> I have the privilege of owing a nice condo at a beach resort, but I
> really don't sleep well there due to the constant traffic noise. The
> condo is about 30 yards from the costal highway and it can get quite
> loud. Apparently it's very cool to alter your truck's exhaust system
> and rev the engine at 2:00 am. Are guys modifying the motorcycle
> exhaust systems too?
>
> The building is concrete with a dryvit styrofoam facing, so I think
> that's doing a fine job of noise reduction. The bulk of the noise
> seems to be coming through the sliding glass doors at the south end of
> the unit. One in the master BR and one in the LR.
>
> These glass sliders look to be cheap builders grade low cost doors.
> They slide fine, don't leak in storms, and generally work ok, but they
> are your basic 6' sliders. I want to keep the glass doors because
> they connect to the balcony, let in light, and give nice views.
>
> Should I look into buying new glass doors? Do I go top of the line
> name brand from the local vendor, or are some better than others?
>
> I did read that adding a 2nd door outside the original will help, but
> I'm not sure I want that drastic of a solution.
>
> What about rolling blinds? The kind that roll up into an exterior box
> at the top of the window. Will these just block light, or do they
> actually help with traffic noise.
>
> I'm sure there are other folks who have similar issues, how did you
> solve them?
I have been researching windows for noise reduction for my home,
although not as drastic a situation as you have.
As you describe it, it's not a just a matter of "double pane" or
"triple pane" windows. You need specially designed ones that have
laminated glass. For such an extreme situation, laminated glass is the
only thing that will make much difference. The bad news is the it is
VERY expensive.
One company I have looked at has a "quite line" or maybe it's called
serenity. Anyway, check out http://www.milgard.com/ and find the sound
control windows. They come in different STC ratings (higher the better
and also more expensive). Again, these will run you at least two to
three times the cost of regular dual pane windows. Other brands offer
these too, usually used around airports.
One suggestion: when getting a replacement window contractor, see if
there is a "glass shop" in your city that does the replacements and
hopefully carries a good quality brand. Unlike most of the replacement
guys who have jumped into this now popular field, the glass shop guys
usually are much more educated on noise issues.
--
John
| |
| George 2007-06-28, 9:25 am |
| hallerb@aol.com wrote:
> gut walls, have expanding foam installed, excellent insulation and
> sound proofing, install low noise drywall, can be mounted on noise
> reduction holders but you lose a inch or two of room. install new
> noise reduction windows, possibly storm shutters, heavy drapes too.
>
> then create some white noise indoors, leave a box fan running, a noise
> generator, rain drops, nice noises like that.
>
> see town council have them put up siigns on the highway no jake brakes
> between 9 pm and 6 am.
Normal homeowners should not need to wear earplugs, perform extensive
alterations or live in a bunker to block such noise. The answer is to
stop the noise.
We lobbied our town and they passed a "use of jake brakes prohibited"
ordinance. It turns out other companies make that equipment and Jacobs
felt they were being picked on so the signs were changed to "use of
brake retarders prohibited"
Pretty much most of the towns in my area have passed such ordnances.
And actually the problem isn't the brake retarders it is when they are
fitted on a truck with a highly modified exhaust system typically driven
by an 8 year old truck driver. There is no muffler to attenuate that
sharp "braap-braap-braap" noise.
>
> talk to your neighbors the noise must be bugging them too. besides
> they may have some creative solutions
>
The Harley with no muffler racket also seems to be declining after
people like me complained to their state legislators to revoke the
inspection privileges from motorcycle shops that allow bikes with
modified/no mufflers to pass inspection.
| |
| scott21230@gmail.com 2007-06-28, 1:25 pm |
| On Jun 27, 1:20 pm, Meat Plow <m...@petitmorte.net> wrote:
> On Wed, 27 Jun 2007 10:10:20 -0700, scott21230 wrote:
>
> What if you're living alone and a smoke alarm goes off?
I would still hear that.
| |
|
| In article <mtudncZKUsH9tB7bnZ2dnUVZ_oavnZ2d@bresnan.com>, no@nospam.com
says...
> As for the doors, don't get aluminum framed anything. I'd also vote for
> french doors rather than sliding doors. Why? The french doors pull in and
> seal against something. the top & bottom edge of the sliding doors don't
> push against anything to seal; they rely on fabric weatherstrips that wear
> out & let sound in.
This could be a regional issue, having to do with energy codes, but
there are sliding doors available that have very durable non-fabric
weatherstripping that seals very effectively against noise as well as
air movement. Noise insulation and temperature insulation aren't the
same thing, of course, but you might look at sliding doors designed for
colder winters. I'd also suggest one with a deadbolt lock that keeps it
from being lifted off its tracks.
--
josh@phred.org is Joshua Putnam
<http://www.phred.org/~josh/>
Updated Infrared Photography Gallery:
<http://www.phred.org/~josh/photo/ir.html>
| |
| Smitty Two 2007-06-28, 1:25 pm |
| In article <11sn4i.q7h.19.5@news.alt.net>,
Meat Plow <meat@petitmorte.net> wrote:
> On Wed, 27 Jun 2007 21:21:56 -0600, Bob M. wrote:
>
>
> I just put in a sliding glass patio door at my girl's house and you're
> right, that whole sliding panel will pop out with just a small prybar. I
> didn't tell her that, don't want her to have nightmares.
That's funny, I just fixed the rolling glass door at my girl's house,
and found that I had to remove the fixed panel in order to remove the
slider. And the fixed panel is bolted to the frame from inside. But, as
mentioned, a couple of screws inside the track at the top will secure
sliding doors and sliding windows, too.
| |
|
|
<Paulaner@nospam.com> wrote in message
news:as2583p4l7s4o87i393esc0qdiuaofccj4@4ax.com...
> I'm looking for anyone with experience solving a soundproofing issue.
> I have the privilege of owing a nice condo at a beach resort, but I
> really don't sleep well there due to the constant traffic noise. The
> condo is about 30 yards from the costal highway and it can get quite
> loud. Apparently it's very cool to alter your truck's exhaust system
> and rev the engine at 2:00 am. Are guys modifying the motorcycle
> exhaust systems too?
>
If it's bothering you, it's probably bothering the neighbors as well.
Perhaps the condo association will plant some evergreen trees as a sound
barrier? Or a fence?
Though as someone else said, you should work on getting the noise stopped,
not just blocking it.
|
|
|
|
|