Soundproof Window Insert Buying Guide
How Outside Noise Enters Your Home
Everyday noise from traffic, trains, and nearby activity often enters through windows and doors, which are usually the weakest points for sound insulation. This leads many homeowners to look for sound resistant windows and the best sound insulation windows to improve comfort.
Soundproof window inserts provide an effective, non-invasive solution by adding an interior layer that reduces noise without replacing existing windows. This guide covers how soundproof window inserts work, how much window inserts cost, and how to measure for window inserts.
Seal the Gaps. Silence the Noise.
What is a Noise Reduction Window?
A noise reduction window uses an added interior layer to help limit outside sound before it enters your space. With soundproof window inserts installed on the inside of an existing window, a wide, sealed air gap is created between the panels. This air space absorbs and reduces noise, improving overall sound insulation without replacing the original window. Magnetite inserts are made from durable, clear acrylic or glass designed for long term performance and comfort.
Why Use Noise Reduction Windows?
Standard windows often allow sound to pass through due to thin glass and small gaps around the frame. This makes it difficult to achieve true sound resistant windows using traditional construction alone. While no solution can eliminate all noise, soundproof window inserts significantly reduce loud and distracting sounds, helping create a quieter and more comfortable indoor environment.
As noise pollution continues to increase in busy cities and residential areas, more homeowners are choosing soundproof window inserts as one of the best sound insulation window solutions available today.
key advantages
Things to Look for When Buying a Noise Reduction Window
Understanding Noise Transmission
While no windows are fully soundproof, there are several steps one can take to reduce the noise transmission in their home. Noise travels in two different ways: One is through the air and the other is to the material your dwelling is composed of. There are two ways to measure noise: they are Sound Transmission Class (STC) and Outdoor/Indoor Transmission Class (OITC).
Limitations of Standard Windows
Most standard windows have an STC rating of around 26. The dual-pane windows feature two panes of 3mm glass. By having more panes (layers) of glass your window increases the insulation aspect which helps thermally, but only slightly diminishes outside noises. The sound waves will continue to pass through the layers as a result of conduction.
Selecting Sound-Reducing Materials
Window selection is based on different features related to the sound reduction. Adding additional panes of laminated glass or acrylic improves the effectiveness for slowing sound transmission. While choosing a noise-resistant window, one must correlate the features of a window to their performance.
The Importance of Seals and Frequencies
Sound resistant windows must have a lab-tested weather-stripping coating that substantiates their performance. While shopping for sound resistant windows, you must consider for what frequency one wants to sound-proof against.
The STC Rating Scale
According to the Acoustics Industry, the sound-stopping quality of windows is measured on the STC scale. It means the higher the number of STC, the more a window inhibits sound. With your basic single-pane window you have an STC rating of around 26. A dual-pane window has an average STC rating of 28. However, windows having an STC rating of 45-50 are good sound-proofed windows that can block as much as 95% of noise.
High-Performance Noise Reduction
Noise-resistant windows are crafted and designed to ensure best-in-class sound insulation. When installed with noise-cancelling laminated glass, the door & window solution will help to reduce sound intrusion by up to 42 decibels.
Selection Factors
To buy the right sound resistant window insert for your needs, you must do your research. You can choose the best sound insulation window insert based on the following factors:
Generally, the thicker the glass or acrylic, the less noise one will hear. Magnetite offers 3 mm or 6 mm thickness.
A layer of, for example, PVB (polyvinyl butyral) between the sheets of glass can reduce noise pollution without affecting the clarity of the glass. Magnetite offers custom window inserts in acrylic, tempered glass, or laminated glass.
The greater the gap between sheets of glass, the better is the protection. Adding heavy gases like argon in the gaps will reduce noise even further.
WHAT MAKES A WINDOW SOUNDPROOF
Sealing gaps and cracks around windows is essential, as even small openings allow sound to pass through. Proper sealing helps create more sound resistant windows, but sealing alone is often not enough. Soundproof window inserts add a second interior layer that creates a wide, sealed air space. This design improves noise control and is considered one of the best sound insulation window solutions without replacing existing windows.
When choosing windows for noise reduction, look for features such as:
Easy Cleaning & Low Maintenance
Added Property Value
Airtight, Double-Sealed System
Noise Reduction up to 42 Decibels
Improved Indoor Air Quality
Custom Options for Any Space
Purchasing Sound Resistant Windows
While full window replacement can reduce noise, it is often costly, disruptive, and unnecessary. Soundproof window inserts provide a simpler alternative by installing on the interior of your existing windows. This approach improves noise reduction without construction, frame removal, or long installation timelines.
Soundproof window inserts are widely used in homes, offices, classrooms, studios, and healthcare spaces because they deliver strong performance with minimal disruption. Magnetite helps guide you in selecting the right insert material and thickness based on your noise concerns, budget, and space requirements, making it easier to achieve effective sound insulation without overbuilding or overspending.
soundproof window experts
Expert Care for Windows That Last
Research by Dr. John Davy at the CSIRO has shown that soundproof window inserts will reduce more noise than single glazed windows or even traditional double glazed units. This is due to the large buffering air cavity between two windows. The larger the air cavity the more noise the window system can reduce.
Magnetite soundproof window inserts use an airtight magnetic seal and slim framing to create a large sealed air cavity, which is key to achieving some of the best sound insulation window performance without replacing existing windows.
By pairing this wide air gap with acrylic or laminated glass, Magnetite creates sound resistant windows that effectively reduce noise across a wide frequency range from approximately 400 Hz to 20,000 Hz, including common sounds from traffic, trains, and nearby activity.
National Acoustic Laboratory Testing:
According to CSIRO, the human ear typically needs a change of about 3 dB to notice a difference in noise levels, while a 10 dB change is perceived as roughly a doubling or halving of sound.
Increasing glass thickness alone offers limited noise reduction, while laminated glass helps dampen sound more effectively. When combined with a sealed air gap, as used in Magnetite window inserts, different materials and thicknesses can be chosen to balance noise reduction, comfort, and budget.
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FAQ’s
What are soundproof window inserts?
Soundproof window inserts are interior panels installed over existing windows to reduce outside noise. They create a sealed air gap that improves sound insulation without replacing the original window.
Are soundproof window inserts better than sound resistant windows?
Sound resistant windows often rely on thicker or laminated glass alone. Soundproof window inserts improve performance further by adding a sealed air space, which is one of the most effective ways to achieve the best sound insulation windows without full replacement.
How much are window inserts?
The cost of window inserts varies based on window size, material choice, and performance needs. In general, soundproof window inserts are more affordable than replacing windows while delivering strong noise reduction results. Contact us for your free estimate.
Do soundproof window inserts work for traffic and city noise?
Yes. Soundproof window inserts are designed to reduce common urban noise such as traffic, trains, and nearby activity by limiting sound transfer through existing windows
How do I measure for window inserts?
Measuring for window inserts involves recording the interior dimensions of your existing window opening. Proper measurement is essential to ensure an airtight seal and optimal noise reduction performance.You can count on our team of experts to correctly measure your windows for your custom window inserts.
What materials are used in soundproof window inserts?
Soundproof window inserts are available in materials such as acrylic and laminated glass. Each option offers different benefits, and material thickness can be selected based on noise levels, comfort goals, and budget.
Do window inserts replace existing windows?
No. Window inserts are installed on the interior side and work with your existing windows. This makes them a non-invasive alternative to full window replacement.
Are soundproof window inserts suitable for homes and commercial spaces?
Yes. Soundproof window inserts are used in residential homes, offices, classrooms, studios, and healthcare environments where reducing noise and improving comfort is a priority.
