Have you ever thought about putting the plexiglas sheets on hinges, so that they open and close like a window? I would like to mount them to the side walls like windows, but have no idea what type of hinges I could use?!
I did think of it, but I didn't pursue it for various reasons. For one, it seemed like the hinge could leave a gap between the plexiglass and the wall. For another, I didn't want to drill holes in the plexiglass. And the third reason was that my main window is so big that only two of the sheets could be on hinges, and the middle panel would still need to be held in place in a different way. On a smaller window, though, it could work as long as you didn't have a gap between the wall and the window insert, which would allow noise to escape.
@@soundproofistDo you happen to know what type of hinges would be the best? Perhaps one could fill in the gaps with thicker rubber window insulation tapes??
@@anaesterhazy631 My first thought was some kind of gate hinge or barn-door hinge. I also did a search and found a cupboard hinge for glass display cases (one that works without drilling), but I think this kind of hinge/clamp will leave a gap in it that would let sound through. In either case, fill in the gaps with adhesive-backed dense foam strips.
A thought: how about a small aquarium or indoor fountain or waterfall for "background noise"? I use to have a 800 gal pond with fountain at my old house and enjoyed it greatly. When in the backyard (also had privacy fence) or nice enough to have my windows open the fountain really helped drown out unwanted road and city noise. Especially at night, it seemed to help ya get to sleep and enjoy a better sleep too. Yes city life is noisy, one of the sad trade offs from living in the country. (and the fact homes/buildings are not made like they use to. Plaster is so much better at sound proofing than drywall. actually drywall is not a very good product at all, and is simply cheap and barely functional if you ask me).
That depends on the kind of noise you're dealing with. A fountain (or a fan) might be OK for masking distant traffic or conversation. But I get a lot of deep, low-frequency noise from construction machines, from trucks with loud engines just below my windows, from motorcycles... or even from the pounding feet of my downstairs neighbor running back and forth on his hardwood floor -- which sounds like a bass drum. Those low frequencies aren't easily masked out with "white" noise, unfortunately.
I use an app called Decibel Meter. The developer's name is Ashraf Thoppukadavil. It's only available on iOS, but it measures both decibels and frequencies, and you can save reports from it. I made a separate video about how to use this app. It's really great!
Hi thank you so much for making these contents, about to try DIY out myself! I just moved into an apartment whose windows open directly to large hvac/vent/fan devices on the terrace of another building (owned by verizon it turns out) and they are making 24/7 70-80db noises...my worry is though these ventilation/circulation device noise are usually on the low frequency end? So would window inserts not make a huge difference reducing the volume there? I do have a relatively wide window frame about 6 inches so the air gap is sufficient....wondering if you have any advices thanks!!
Right. The window inserts might not be as effective if you have low-frequency noise and vibration going through the whole building frame (not just the window). You know, a few people have asked me similar questions about HVAC and I'm trying to get someone from an anti-vibration company to steer me to the right solution to recommend. Can you take a photo of the HVAC equipment....what it's mounted on, etc.? Just contact me through this form, first, and then after I respond, attach and send a photo: soundproofist.com/contact-us/
Thank you madam, very helpful video.
You're welcome!
Have you ever thought about putting the plexiglas sheets on hinges, so that they open and close like a window? I would like to mount them to the side walls like windows, but have no idea what type of hinges I could use?!
I did think of it, but I didn't pursue it for various reasons. For one, it seemed like the hinge could leave a gap between the plexiglass and the wall. For another, I didn't want to drill holes in the plexiglass. And the third reason was that my main window is so big that only two of the sheets could be on hinges, and the middle panel would still need to be held in place in a different way. On a smaller window, though, it could work as long as you didn't have a gap between the wall and the window insert, which would allow noise to escape.
@@soundproofistDo you happen to know what type of hinges would be the best? Perhaps one could fill in the gaps with thicker rubber window insulation tapes??
@@anaesterhazy631 My first thought was some kind of gate hinge or barn-door hinge. I also did a search and found a cupboard hinge for glass display cases (one that works without drilling), but I think this kind of hinge/clamp will leave a gap in it that would let sound through. In either case, fill in the gaps with adhesive-backed dense foam strips.
Thank you.@@soundproofist
A thought: how about a small aquarium or indoor fountain or waterfall for "background noise"? I use to have a 800 gal pond with fountain at my old house and enjoyed it greatly. When in the backyard (also had privacy fence) or nice enough to have my windows open the fountain really helped drown out unwanted road and city noise. Especially at night, it seemed to help ya get to sleep and enjoy a better sleep too. Yes city life is noisy, one of the sad trade offs from living in the country. (and the fact homes/buildings are not made like they use to. Plaster is so much better at sound proofing than drywall. actually drywall is not a very good product at all, and is simply cheap and barely functional if you ask me).
That depends on the kind of noise you're dealing with. A fountain (or a fan) might be OK for masking distant traffic or conversation. But I get a lot of deep, low-frequency noise from construction machines, from trucks with loud engines just below my windows, from motorcycles... or even from the pounding feet of my downstairs neighbor running back and forth on his hardwood floor -- which sounds like a bass drum. Those low frequencies aren't easily masked out with "white" noise, unfortunately.
Don't put an aquarium there. Poor fish🐟🐠
What app are you using for decibels?
I use an app called Decibel Meter. The developer's name is Ashraf Thoppukadavil. It's only available on iOS, but it measures both decibels and frequencies, and you can save reports from it. I made a separate video about how to use this app. It's really great!
Hi thank you so much for making these contents, about to try DIY out myself! I just moved into an apartment whose windows open directly to large hvac/vent/fan devices on the terrace of another building (owned by verizon it turns out) and they are making 24/7 70-80db noises...my worry is though these ventilation/circulation device noise are usually on the low frequency end? So would window inserts not make a huge difference reducing the volume there? I do have a relatively wide window frame about 6 inches so the air gap is sufficient....wondering if you have any advices thanks!!
Right. The window inserts might not be as effective if you have low-frequency noise and vibration going through the whole building frame (not just the window). You know, a few people have asked me similar questions about HVAC and I'm trying to get someone from an anti-vibration company to steer me to the right solution to recommend. Can you take a photo of the HVAC equipment....what it's mounted on, etc.? Just contact me through this form, first, and then after I respond, attach and send a photo: soundproofist.com/contact-us/
@@soundproofist Ah that's super nice of you! I'll follow up the form with pictures, thank you!!