search

How Much Do Soundproof Windows Cost?

cost to soundproof a window

Single-pane windows aren’t very effective in blocking outside noise. If you live in an apartment, you’ll likely be bothered by noisy neighbors, loud construction, or busy streets. When this happens, it’s important to know all the different ways you can soundproof your windows.

Here’s a comprehensive list of every method to soundproof your windows, including how much each will cost.

13 Soundproof Window Pricing Options

1. Add Weather Stripping

Applying new weatherstripping to a window can effectively seal the window without being a costly repair. All you have to do is remove the old strip and replace it with a new one.

This material is great for soundproofing and providing heat insulation. It fills the gap left by the moveable pane. Windows aren’t airtight, but weatherstripping can vastly decrease how much air, and sound, can enter a room.

Weatherstripping is very accessible and inexpensive. You can find a full roll for only $5 at the nearest hardware store. You won’t need much material for this project, so it won’t cost very much.

2. Seal External Window Gaps

Unlike caulking, sealing external window gaps requires more effort and materials. However, this process can permanently seal air leaks. This involves removing your window trim to ensure that there are no gaps between the wall and the window.

You’ll need a pry bar and a hammer to take off the trim. Expanding spray foam is necessary for filling any space under the trim.

Expanding spray foam is under $10. If you already have a toolbox, this is all you’ll need to buy.

3. Seal Internal Window Gaps

Caulking a window is a very easy process that helps soundproof a room at a minimal cost. Any air that leaks through a window will cause more external sound to enter your home. You can quickly repair air leaks with a new bead of caulk.

Acoustic caulk is a good choice because of its easy application and low price. It was specifically made for soundproofing and can reduce sound by 15%. After a good application, it will seal any gaps and will last a long time.

For this project, you’ll only need acoustic caulk. This is around $20 and can be found in many stores.

4. DIY Window Plug

If a lot of sounds are coming through your window and preventing you from sleeping, you could build a window plug. The cost of a DIY window plug depends on the materials and method you use.

Generally, window plugs are very cheap to make, but you have to build them yourself. You may need extra tools to build a frame and install insulation inside.

We’d recommend medium-density fiberboard for your frame. This will be insulating and only costs around $10 for a 2 x 4. The amount of wood you need will vary based on the size of your window.

You’ll also need glue, mass-loaded vinyl, acoustic foam panels, and acoustic sealant. Acoustic foam panels are the most expensive item on this list, but you can find them for less than $25. To do this entire project, a small window will likely cost around $50 depending on the material used.

5. Add Soundproof Barrier

You can install an acoustic foam panel that will create a barrier between outside noise and your home. Interior echoes will also be absorbed with these barrier panels. Soundproof barrier panels can be installed on floors, walls, and windows.

The installation process is very simple, but it is more permanent than other methods. We’d recommend ordering panels that are a few inches wider and taller than your window. Then you’ll need 3M VHB tape or soundproof green glue.

You can buy these panels as a pack of 5 for only $25. Both 3M VHB tape and soundproofing green glue are less than $20 each. For this project, it’ll cost less than $50 in total.

6. Add Noise Reducing Curtains / Blinds

Adding soundproof curtains or blinds can be a more discreet way of soundproofing your home. You can keep the interior design of your house while also absorbing internal echoes and outside noise.

The cost of soundproof curtains depends on the brand. Some offer curtains for less than $30, but some cost much more. You can buy custom soundproof/blackout curtains that start around $100. These are tailored for your needs, but there are plenty of effective, cheaper brands.

You also have the option of installing soundproof blinds. These look similar to traditional blinds but have a honeycomb shape that blocks more sound. These have a price range of $20 to over $75, depending on the brand.

7. Install a Sound Absorption Sheet

Sound absorption sheets can be a great way to turn a room into a quiet place. You can hang these sheets over windows to improve internal sound quality, creating the perfect room for podcasting or playing an instrument.

These sound absorption sheets are more expensive than other solutions. They cost around $100 for a 8 x 4 sheet.

You’ll also need to put some effort into the installation process. Although it comes with metal grommets, they don’t hang on a curtain rod like soundproof curtains. For these sheets to work properly, you’ll have to use a drill to install them into the wall.

If you don’t already own a drill, this could add another $40-$50 to the expenses for this project.

8. Add a Carbon Absorption Panel

Carbon absorption panels absorb low-frequency sounds, although they can be expensive. When you cover your window with these panels, you can get rid of unwanted noise.

These panels successfully turn your home into a quiet, peaceful place. You won’t be able to hear any construction work or loud thunderstorms.

The downside to using carbon panels is their high cost. Each panel has a price range of $100-$200, significantly higher than many of these other options.

9. Add Soundproof Window Inserts

Window inserts are a convenient way to absorb sounds entering a room. They add an extra layer of protection to the window pane to help with sound problems. With a quarter-inch acrylic glazing and silicone compression tubing, these can significantly reduce noise.

They are customizable to fit the exact dimensions of your window and are easily installed. Starting at $30 per square foot, or $360 for an average window, window inserts can be much cheaper than fully replacing a window.

10. Double Glazed Coat

Normal windows have a single sheet of glass that doesn’t prevent outside noise from entering your house. When you install double-glazed windows, these will provide excellent noise insulation.

Double-glazed windows are two panes of glass with a layer of air in between. They are separated by a spacer and this doubles the window’s sound insulation.

Getting double-glazed windows can be expensive. Generally, the price range of glazing is about $200-$250 per square meter. The cost significantly increases if you are doing multiple windows.

This process requires professional help. They will charge between $80 and $100 an hour, and you could spend up to $1,000 per square meter.

Although this process can improve the soundproofing of your windows, there are much cheaper options.

11. Double or Triple Pane Windows

You can replace the entire window with double or triple-pane windows. This will significantly reduce noise because of its extra layers of protection. Each layer of glass is separated by a layer of air, which does not allow sound waves to pass through.

With more layers of glass, your window will be more insulated. To fully soundproof a window, sometimes it’s necessary to completely replace the glass.

Double pane windows cost anywhere from $450 to $600 per window. Triple pane windows will cost more because they use more materials. The average cost for a triple pane window is $550-$1,085.

12. Add Acoustic Dampening Window Film

Windows are very thin and aren’t very effective in keeping out sound. To avoid this, you can apply a film on the outside of the glass to absorb noise. The film has a much softer surface than glass which disrupts the way sound waves enter your house.

Acoustic dampening window film has two layers of polymer with a strong lamination core in between. This creates more layers to the window, keeping your room noise-free.

This is a new soundproofing technology that is currently being developed in Singapore. Unfortunately, it isn’t on the market yet. When it is released, it will likely be very expensive.

13. Add Furniture

One of the simplest ways to soundproof a window is by adding furniture. If you strategically design your room to avoid unwanted noise from the window, you might not have to use alternative soundproofing methods.

For this solution, you can use the furniture you already own. We’d recommend placing a thick rug underneath the window and arranging a couch or chair in front of it. This provides an extra barrier for the sound waves to travel through, successfully stopping unwanted noise.

If you already have furniture, this option is completely free. It may cost more if you are purchasing furniture after moving.

Final Thoughts

There are many different options to soundproof your windows. Whether you are looking for a cheap DIY project or want professional help, you can easily dampen noise to create a quiet, comfortable living space.

  • Gregory A Seely
  • Gregory A Seely

    Greg is a self taught home renovator and writer for RenoViso. His shares his experiences with Southern Living, Traditional Home and other publications.

    Read moreTwitterEmail

  • soundproofing a barn door
    Single-pane windows aren’t very effective in blocking outside noise. If you live in an apartment,…
    home-recording-studio
    Single-pane windows aren’t very effective in blocking outside noise. If you live in an apartment,…
    person-applying-seal-to-a-window
    Single-pane windows aren’t very effective in blocking outside noise. If you live in an apartment,…
    JOIN THE RENO CLUB!
    Be the first to read breaking reviews, recieve special discounts, and all the happenings!