ThermonMermon

I have two 3' x 6' casement windows. im trying to do something to deaden NYC street noise. they have certain companies that install a second 1/2" think glass casement inside of the existing window well. its virtually bulletproof, but it costs over 500 a window and this is a rental.

so, i was thinking about buying 1/4" plexi cut to fit at home depot. to render the window still function i would 3M one plexi panel to the casement edges of the lower half of the window and rest another plexi panel on the upper half of the window. that way, i could remove the upper plexi and still slide the window up.

what do you think? will work? or waste of time and money?

hornyleprechaun

Here is what I would do, but it may sound crazy. My brother used to rent a house and turned one of the basement rooms into his "studio." He bought soundproofing foam to cover up a 2'X2' window. You could stand outside the window and not hear a thing.

I would look into getting some soundproofing foam, and attaching it to a piece of plexi/wood.. then rig it so that when you sleep at night you just place it against the window(s) and the sound is kept out.. then when you don't want it to cover the windows just slide the contraptions under your bed or put them in a closet.

ThermonMermon

sorry, too bootleg for the amt i pay in rent. you dont think adding another "pane" of plexi would help?

ThermonMermon

http://soundproofing.org/infopages/how_to_windows.htm

something like this. im willing to spend up to $150 for 12+ months of use. not to mention, i could always sell them for more $$ to the new tenant down the road.

hornyleprechaun

That looks good to me.. give it a try

MR1

IMHO those vinyl windows will be slightly better than nothing depending on how much noise there is. I suspect that over time you will become accustomed to the sounds of life outside.

stogie1020

Get a fan, leave it on while you sleep.

Also, VERY heavy curtains will help. I worked nights for a long time and used a blackout curtain to keep both the light and the noise out during the day when I slept. Worked like a champ. Check a local fabric store, then have curtains made.

The Dougler

iTrader: (1)

Don't get velvet ones.

stogie1020

Kerpal, I am going to kick your dog.

ThermonMermon

yo dawta kick my dog!

yeah, gave up on the plexi idea. just og tback from measuring / home depot...the windows are an odd dimension of 34 x 76, meaning id end up dropping 300+ just on 1/4" plexi for two windows. for a rental? no thank you. plus, id have two flmisy plexi panels per window with a seam across the middle - dont think it will do jack shit.

im going to use the fan, stuff the window seams, and buy heavy curtains.

what fabric works best?

csmeance

foam+plywood+magnets = WIN!

ThermonMermon

^ no way. would you opt for a ghetto fix like that for your 760?

hornyleprechaun

Just use it for when you sleep? WGAF what it looks like when you're sleeping as long as it keeps the sound out...

You could ask your neighbors if they've found anything that has helped.

svtmike

It wouldn't be ghetto if you painted some personal artwork on a canvas stretched over the back of the plywood.

CLSter

I have a triple pane window with a foam filled frame and it cut down noise a lot for my living room.

stogie1020

Go to a fabric store and find the thickest fabric you can.

Also, if you can remove the trim around the windows, try filling the cavity inside with foam or insulation and then reapply the trim.

The Dougler

iTrader: (1)

Whats the name of the material you used again?

csmeance

I'd let the warranty company handle that

But in all honesty if you want a cheap and effective solution, that's what I did when I lived in NYC. It works well enough and as well you won't see it because your sleeping.

noshow_nogo

I usually pride myself in ghetto rigging many things. This is just genius.

OP, since you're concerned with the portion facing you, may I suggest:

plywood with some foam on the backside. on the front that faces you, you can use a large piece of fabric over sheets of cotton, and hook it up with those neo magnets or hang with nails. can get fancier by hammering nails equally in space and hotgluing some upholstered buttons over it for that tufted look

stogie1020

My actual blackout curtain was made of something called "hurricane cloth" I think, but I think you are just making fun of me for having velvet curtains...

subinf

Fans help a lot.

stogie1020

Adaptive noise masking:

http://www.amazon.com/o/ASIN/B002SMJ...=ATVPDKIKX0DER