Considering changing south facing windows
#1
02-20-16, 05:15 PM
Considering changing south facing windows
Hi,
I have 20 year old Viking double pane aluminum sliding windows which have no rubber seal. On the south side of my house I have 2 issues, heat gain and some highway noise. When it's cold outside, sometimes I think I left a window open - seems like the noise goes right through them. I replaced an aluminum sliding door with a wood frame alum clad hinged patio door and it's like closing a car door compared to the slider.
I assume even with the glass options selected for max reduction in heat gain glass still is not a great insulator. With regards to the noise, Jeld Wen has an incredible amount of info and data on sound performance but of course no comparison to older alum windows. Laminated glass makes little difference but dissimilar glazing seems to make some difference and may be worth it if additional charge is minimal.
Jeld Wen says a typical 2x4 house walls have a sound rating of STC 36. Their wood windows seem to average about STC 30 or so and I assume other brands are comparable. Based on this I would think that I would see quite a improvement with a modern wood window.
Anyone have experience with this?
I have 20 year old Viking double pane aluminum sliding windows which have no rubber seal. On the south side of my house I have 2 issues, heat gain and some highway noise. When it's cold outside, sometimes I think I left a window open - seems like the noise goes right through them. I replaced an aluminum sliding door with a wood frame alum clad hinged patio door and it's like closing a car door compared to the slider.
I assume even with the glass options selected for max reduction in heat gain glass still is not a great insulator. With regards to the noise, Jeld Wen has an incredible amount of info and data on sound performance but of course no comparison to older alum windows. Laminated glass makes little difference but dissimilar glazing seems to make some difference and may be worth it if additional charge is minimal.
Jeld Wen says a typical 2x4 house walls have a sound rating of STC 36. Their wood windows seem to average about STC 30 or so and I assume other brands are comparable. Based on this I would think that I would see quite a improvement with a modern wood window.
Anyone have experience with this?
#2
02-20-16, 05:29 PM
Group Moderator
Aluminum windows are quite bad for sound transmission, so practically ANYTHING would be an improvement. You've already found that out with your new door, the way it sounds. You are probably going to get the best sound deadening with a wood window. Generally triple glass with Argon will have good stc ratings, but I think one of our members, Oberon, would always say that its the the dissimilar glazing that is one of the best improvements for sound.
#3
02-20-16, 06:56 PM
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I'm in Southern California and don't have an interest in selling or installing windows. The subject comes up a lot though with customers and I always say you can't go wrong.
Most of the houses out here were constructed with the cheapest windows possible. Even with an off the shelf window (of quality), it will be like night and day. Much quieter; you will notice energy savings; and you might even qualify for rebates.
Most of the houses out here were constructed with the cheapest windows possible. Even with an off the shelf window (of quality), it will be like night and day. Much quieter; you will notice energy savings; and you might even qualify for rebates.
