Noise pollution is a problem and making your home a quieter space can improve your health and quality of life. One of the main entry points of noise getting into your home is through your windows. Quality windows can go a long way in reducing noise, but if you want to reduce noise without the expense of new windows, acrylic window inserts can be a cost-effective way to improve your home’s environment.
Understanding Noise Pollution
Understanding the sources of noise pollution and its health effects can give you a better idea of the importance of reducing it in spaces you control, most notably your home.
The Sources of Noise Pollution
Noise is all around us, especially if you live in an urban area, near a manufacturing or industrial center, or close to an airport, railroad, or busy traffic throughway. These areas contain some of the major sources of noise pollution, which generate excessive sound that can disturb the peace and quiet of an environment. These sources include cars, motorcycles, and buses, airplanes, trains, heavy construction and industrial machinery, lawnmowers, power tools, or other household appliances or machines, and recreational activities such as concerts, sporting events, or parties.
The Health Effects of Noise Pollution
These sources of noise are not going away, and have only seemed to increase over time. They are more than just annoying though. Noise pollution can also be bad for your health.
Sound is measured in decibels. The higher the decibel, the louder the sound. According to the World Health Organization, noise that hits 65 decibels (dB) is considered noise pollution. When it exceeds 75 dB, it becomes harmful to human health and levels above 120 dB feels painful to human ears. This can damage our hearing, of course, and cause tinnitus or deafness, but noise can also cause other health problems, including:
- Respiratory, digestive and heart issues
- Headaches
- High blood pressure
- Stress and fatigue
- Depression, anxiety, or hysteria
- Sleep disorders
- Cognitive impairment
Using acrylic or plexiglass window inserts, especially on windows that face a busy street or other significant source of noise, or on older windows with less insulation can be an easy and effective way to reduce noise pollution in your home and improve your overall health and wellbeing.
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How Window Inserts Work to Reduce Noise
Noise can seep into interior spaces in different ways, but windows are a major entry point. Sound waves pass through glass and resonate at certain frequencies, which are affected by the glass thickness. The thicker the glass, the lower the noise frequency. Gaps in the window frame, degrading seals, and poor insulation around windows can also increase the noise that enters.
Window inserts reduce noise by increasing the size of the barrier between the exterior causes of sound and the interior of your home.
This barrier is created in two ways:
- The thicker mass of material created by the acrylic insert
- The air gap between the glass and the insert.
Both block sound waves and dissipate sound energy to reduce the noise pollution that is able to enter.
Double-pane windows, since they have two panes of glass as opposed to one, act as a better sound barrier than single-pane windows. If you have single pane windows, you will see a big difference in the level of noise that enters your home with acrylic window inserts. If you have double-pane windows yet live near major sources of noise pollution, acrylic window inserts can be useful for further soundproofing.
Factors to Consider When Choosing Acrylic Window Inserts
There are several factors to consider when figuring out what is available on the market to reduce noise pollution with window inserts.
Noise Reduction Rating (NRR)
One way to understand acrylic window inserts noise reduction effectiveness is through its noise reduction rating (NRR). This is a measurement of how effective something is at reducing noise. The higher the rating the better the noise reduction effectiveness. An acrylic insert with a rating higher than 28 is considered to offer significant noise reduction.
Size and Fit
Window inserts can be found to fit almost any window, but they come in different types of systems based on how they are designed to fit into your window. Two main types are magnetic and compression fit.
Magnetic vs. Compression Fit
Magnetic, as the name suggests, uses a magnet to fit the window insert into the window frame and create an airtight seal around the edge. A magnetic bracket is permanently attached to your window frame to hold the insert in place. This process can be cumbersome to install and requires extra hardware and labor time, and can result in a damaged window frame. The seal can also weaken over time and be affected by temperature changes. The window bracket is also visible even when the insert is removed.
Compression inserts are designed with a soft silicone compression tubing around the edge that creates a compression tight seal, fitting firmly and snuggly in place. They can also be installed and removed quickly and easily without extra hardware. Compression inserts also absorb expansion and contraction in all directions, which result in a tighter seal than magnetic systems.
Thickness
If you are looking for window inserts for blocking traffic noise then a thickness of 1/4” is usually sufficient. If you are more concerned with window inserts for blocking construction noise or window inserts for reducing airplane noise than a thickness of 3/8” to 1/2” is recommended. Any insert over 1/4” is considered acoustic grade and is useful for soundproofing, blocking up to 70% of noise coming through your windows.
Clarity
One concern that often comes up with window inserts is whether the extra layer will block out light as well as sound. As a material, acrylic maintains its clarity, even with thicker panels and its ability to transmit light is better even than glass. So, all and all, this concern is unfounded with acrylic window inserts.
UV Protection
Acrylic is a manufactured material that is innately UV resistant, offering UV protection with only a very small percentage of degradation over time.
Benefits of Using Acrylic Window Inserts for Noise Reduction
Even if you are asking, “are acrylic window inserts worth it for noise?” There are benefits of this type of window insert over other options for noise reduction in your home. These benefits include:
- Cost-effectiveness
- Easy Installation
- Improved Energy Efficiency
- Aesthetically Pleasing
These benefits add up to acrylic being one of the best window inserts for noise reduction on the market.
How to Soundproof Windows with Inserts
Taking on the project of DIY soundproofing windows with acrylic window inserts is not difficult if you are comfortable with DIY projects. If you are not comfortable and want to get the right fit, then consulting with a professional is advisable.
To get a proper fit for your acrylic window insert, you need to first laser measure your window to know what size insert to purchase. Choosing a compression fit insert, once you have the proper window measurement, is the easiest style to install. A magnetic fit will take extra measuring and drilling to secure the metal bracket to the window frame.
Maintenance and Care for Acrylic Window Inserts
With proper maintenance and care, your acrylic window inserts can last anywhere between 5-25 years, depending on the quality of product you purchase. Higher end, more expensive products tend to last longer.
When cleaning your inserts, avoid detergents with ammonia, alcohol, or aromatic hydrocarbons. These can all corrode the acrylic material and compromise its clarity. You also want to avoid harsh brushes, steel wool, or paper towels when cleaning the insert surface to avoid scratching. You also want to make sure you properly store your inserts when not in use. Following the manufacturers guidelines for cleaning and storage is also recommended.
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More Tips for Reducing Noise Pollution
In addition to window inserts, other ways to help reduce noise pollution in your home include:
- Sealing gaps and cracks – filling in any gaps or cracks around your window frame will help reduce noise further.
- Adding sound-absorbing materials – increasing the insulation around your window frame will help further absorb sound from entering your home.
- Landscaping strategically – adding landscaping elements that can act as barriers between noise producing sources and your home can be beneficial in reducing noise too.
Acrylic Window Inserts: The Last Word
Noise pollution is unavoidable in modern life, but by controlling the noise levels in your home you can create an environment that is more conducive to your health and wellbeing. Acrylic window inserts are an effective and inexpensive way to do that.
