Soundproof FAQs

What do you mean by a second window installed behind our current window? How does it work?
Look at the drawing. Your current window is mounted on the outside edge of your window opening – our windows are mounted to the inside edge, leaving your current window intact – a two window system.

Do they open and close like regular windows?
Yes our windows operate like your current windows. If your windows slide open–so will ours. If your windows rise upward–so will ours. Our windows are fully operational, and easy to remove for cleaning.

What kind of insulation values do your windows have?
Our windows improve insulation values for any existing window. The two window system provides better insulation values than any single window system. Air infiltration and drafts are virtually eliminated.

What is laminated glass?
It is two pieces of glass sandwiched together with a special plastic inner layer that glues the glass together. It reduces sound transmission, stops vibrations, blocks UV light and prevents the glass from breaking into many pieces when it is broken.

How are these windows installed?  Is there a mess?
No, installation is quite simple. There is no mess or construction required.  They are installed like interior shutters.

How much do they cost?
We will need your window measurements to give you an estimate. We provide quotations over the phone.  Costs are competitive with replacement windows, yet they provide much greater sound reduction.

My Home Owner/ Condo Association won’t let us replace our windows! Would they allow your windows?
Yes in most case the associations allow our windows, because they are installed inside and are almost invisible from the outside.

I have installed new double-paned windows and I still have a noise problem. Will your windows help?
Yes! Our windows will significantly reduce the noise your existing windows can not.

Noise also comes through my doors.  What can you do for this?
SPC is the leader in Canada for sound reduction.  We also provide many different solutions with sound reducing doors from front doors to patio doors.

I know, I have a noise problem, but how much of the noise is coming from the window, and how much is from the wall?
Even bad walls will stop more sound than double-paned windows. Your windows (and doors) are the weakest sound barriers and source of the noise problems 99% of the time.

How much noise is stopped by different types of windows?
Normal double-paned windows will reduce noise levels about 20% (compared to single pane). If you Serenity windows it can be as high as a 35% reduction. In a moderately quiet environment, this may be enough.  Sound proof windows will reduce the noise levels about 75% and up to 95%.

How do you measure this 75% reduction?
Actually, the drop in sound is usually significantly higher; an instrument measured 90-99%. 75% refers to the “perceived” drop in sound. It is often perceived to be greater than 90% but is rarely thought to be less than 70%. However, the human ear constantly adjusts its own sensitivity as the sound volume changes. For example, the sound of a pin dropping is hard to hear in a noisy room, but easy to hear in a quiet room.

OK, what is this STC stuff?
STC stands for Sound Transmission Co-efficient. Basically, it is an established way to rate how much sound is stopped. It is used for windows, doors, walls, and most building materials. For windows, STC ranges from 18 to 50.

What STC ratings do my windows have?
If you have single-paned windows, it is most likely between 20 and 28. The difference is due to the glass thickness air tightness of your window.  Double-paned windows usually vary from 28 to 35 (most are 29-30). Most have good air seals, but the variation is due to the glass thickness and the amount of air space between the glass. The bigger air space and thicker glass is preferred.  Sound proof Windows range from 41 to 51. It varies due to the type of your existing window and the air space between the Sound proof window.  We have a complete chart to illustrate the different combinations.

Why does it seem like there is not much difference in these STC numbers?
It uses a special scale like the earthquake Richter scale (logarithmic scale). For example, a 28 is not just 1(one) unit more than a 27, it is actually125% greater.

I installed good thick double-paned windows and still didn’t get much help at reducing the sound. Why?
The STC value of your existing windows is still too low. STC values above 40 are required for significant sound reduction. Thermal windows can only reduce sound by 20-35% which is insufficient if you have a serious noise problem. For serious noise problems only Sound proof Windows will provide the 75-95% reduction you need.