Spokane is a city that offers its residents the opportunity to enjoy the changing seasons; however, one of the downsides of the city is that it also experiences quite a lot of noise pollution. People living close to the streets may find themselves exposed to the traffic noise and to the noise of the trains. If you have windows that are older and made of a single layer of glass, then the noise will continue outside and be heard inside your home. For this reason, window replacement in Spokane, Washington, has become one of the most popular types of home improvement projects, and, currently, lots of people are opting for double-pane glass.

The Science Behind Double-Pane Windows and Noise Reduction

Double-pane windows are made of two glass sheets sealed by a space filled with argon gas, which acts as a barrier to sound and is also a good heat insulator. When a sound wave comes in contact with a double-pane window, it has to go through the two glass sheets and the gas layer; each one of these layers will block and reflect the sound wave. The STC (Sound Transmission Class) rating of double-pane windows is usually between 28 and 34, whereas single-pane windows only have a rating of 18 to 22, which means that double-pane windows can achieve a 20 to 30 decibel reduction of the noise inside your home. In the case of high-frequency noises like those from traffic, tires screech, and street-level talk, which tend to be the loudest in Spokane areas around I-90 and the downtown district, these can actually be reduced by amounts equal to 25 to 35 decibels. For homeowners who are considering window replacement in Spokane, Washington, such a reduction in noise should, without a doubt, be a decisive factor.

Why Spokane Homeowners Are Prioritizing This Upgrade

Many of the homes in Spokane are pretty old, and most of them still have their original single-pane windows. Changing the windows in Spokane not only helps get rid of noise in a house, but it also keeps the house warmer, lowers the electricity bills, and even adds to a home’s market price. Houses retrofitted with energy-saving windows in Spokane have been noted to fetch a selling price of up to 10% higher than similar ones without the updates. Among the home refurbishment companies working locally, window replacement in Spokane, Washington, is continually among the very best options in terms of return on investment for their clients.

Consider These When You Make a Window Upgrade

It’s not that all window replacements in Spokane, Washington, will perform equally when it comes to reducing noise. To get the best out of the money you spend, focus on:

• Asymmetric glass pane thicknesses – using two layers of glass of different thicknesses is more efficient in disrupting sound waves than two layers of identical thickness.
• Argon gas fill – the gas is heavier than air and, as a consequence, it will improve both the thermal and acoustic insulation of your windows.
• Professional sealing and installation – even windows that have been made to the very highest standards may still leave a lot to be desired if there are gaps in the frames where air leaks out.
• Low-E coating – the reason why this is mainly thermal is also the reason why the micro-layer that is being added also serves as noise dampening.

The Bottom Line

If you are a homeowner in Spokane who is located near highways, railroads, or busy commercial areas, then swapping out your windows to double-pane glazing is the most effective and long-lasting noise control measure you can take. Two panes will always outperform one, and this fact is supported by scientific evidence.

For remodeling companies that are based in the greater Spokane area, it is absolutely certain that window replacement in Spokane, Washington, should be one of the very first projects you carry out for your clients. Besides lower energy bills and better home value, it gives your clients a much quieter living space. Please do not hesitate to book your window replacement in Spokane, Washington, consultation today and feel the difference the moment you shut your new windows.