How Much Do Soundproof Windows Cost?

An often overlooked method to reduce the amount of sound that comes into a room is to soundproof the windows. Since windows consist of glass and wood that is usually much less sound resistant than the materials used in the wall, this means windows are an opportunity to improve how soundproof a room is.

If you’re interested in soundproofing a window or windows, it’s important to know the different ways in which you can do so and how much it will cost.

Soundproof windows are expensive with a minimum cost of $350 for one standard soundproof glass window of good quality, and the price for the highest quality can be up to tens of thousands of dollars.

The cost depends on a multitude of different factors, such as the window style, the size of the frame and window, the type of glass, and the number of windows.

While soundproof windows can be expensive, if you live near an airport, railroad tracks, or any other area with lots of noise, the benefits will likely outweigh how much you’ll spend.

In addition to improving the quality of your sleep, the peacefulness you will experience from soundproofed windows will increase you and your housemate’s quality of life greatly.

Let’s look at how soundproof windows actually work, the best types of soundproof windows, how much each will cost, and some other options to soundproof your room.

Also Read: How to Soundproof Windows

How Do Soundproof Windows Work?

As you can expect, soundproofing windows create a barrier between the sound from outside and your ears. This is why you hear much more through windows than you do through most walls or doors- the materials that make up windows allow plenty more sound to pass through than the materials that make up walls.

What soundproof windows do is essentially ‘bulk up’ the surface and its ability to block out sound. These manufacturers accomplish this by:

Thickening the glass of the windows
Adding air space between the window panes
Utilizing laminated glass

Obviously, not all soundproof windows are created equal- some work better than others. When deciding on which windows to purchase, make sure to consider the type of sounds you are trying to block out.

For example, since the sounds of birds are much quieter than that of a garbage truck, depending on how much noise reduction you actually need, you can decide on how much you need to spend on soundproof windows (higher quality means more expensive).

Soundproof windows are measured by a rating called Sound Transmission Class (STC)– the higher the rating, the more sound your window will block. An average single-pane glass window will have an STC rating of about 27, while most soundproof windows will have a rating of about 45; high-quality, more expensive ones will be over 50.

When purchasing soundproof windows, make sure to check their STC ratings and consider how important the rating is for the type of noise you need to block out.

Let’s look at some of the most common soundproof window styles and how much they cost.

Also Read: How to Soundproof Windows Without Replacing Them

Best Types of Soundproof Windows and How Much They Cost

The cost of soundproof windows varies widely, from a few hundred to a few hundred thousand, so it’s incredibly useful to know the different types of styles and how much they might eat into your budget.

In addition to the actual price of the soundproof windows, you also need to factor in labor costs, which will cost around $40 an hour, or about $150 to $800 per window.

Let’s explore some of the best soundproof window styles and their prices.

Double Pane Windows

Installing double-pane windows is one of the cheapest ways to reduce the amount of sound coming through your windows, and is also very effective. As expected, the better the quality and higher STC rating for your double pane window, the more expensive it will be however it will likely still be more inexpensive than other alternatives.

The price for double pane windows run from about $380 to $850, with an average price of $618.

As far as double-pane windows go, those made from aluminum will usually be the least expensive. After that, vinyl and fiberglass will be a bit more in terms of quality and price. At the higher end, wood windows will be the most expensive, usually costing over $900 for a single frame.

Triple Pane Windows

Triple pane windows are the next step up from double pane, offering more noise reduction thanks to that extra layer of glass, which is why they also cost more.

A typical triple pane window will be between $550 and $1,085, with an average price of $818.

The same difference of materials in double-pane windows will have the same effect on the price for triple-pane windows.

Laminated Windows

Laminated windows are some of the best money can buy, usually holding very high STC ratings. These windows are made from putting a layer of polyvinyl butyral between two glass panes, which means they are very powerful in blocking out sound but are much harder and expensive to make, so naturally, they cost more to purchase.

Laminated windows can be either double or triple panes. A typical double-paned laminated window will be at least $950, while a triple-paned will be over $1000.

If you have a low budget or want to soundproof a window by yourself without replacing the entire frame, there are a couple of ways to do so.

Also read: Soundproof Glass; What Is It And How Does It Work?

Cheaper Ways to Soundproof a Window Yourself

If you are surprised by how much a quality soundproofed window can cost and are not able to afford it, don’t worry- there are other ways to do the job without spending nearly as much.

Although these methods will not be as effective as replacing your window with a soundproofed one, they will certainly make a difference in how much noise will be able to travel through into your room.

Let’s look at the two cheaper alternatives to soundproof a window.

Roller Shutters

The cheaper option of the two, roller shutters are installed by sealing an air gap with silicone sealant between the window and a shutter.

While this will help increase sound travel, it basically turns your window into a wall by blocking out light and eliminating any view of outside in order to be effective.

Secondary Glazing

With this method, acoustic window retrofits are constructed over the existing window- in addition to being cheaper than replacing the window entirely, it is also able to be constructed very quickly and usually causes no damage to the existing window or frame.

Although slightly more expensive than roller shutters, secondary glazing works better to soundproof a window.

Also read: 6 Ways To Soundproof Jalousie Windows

Conclusion

Windows can be a huge factor in how much noise you hear in a room since glass allows sounds to pass through it much more than walls do. Because of this, soundproofing a window can reduce the amount of noise you hear throughout your day immensely.

Although it is a great privilege, soundproofing a window can be expensive. The cost for a single-window can range anywhere from around $400 to tens of thousands.

How much you pay for a soundproof window can depend on:

the window style
the size of the frame and window
the type of glass
the number of windows