I would look for a window with a STC over 40 if you are seeking maximum sound reduction. Milgard makes one of the best products to accomplish this. However, if all the noise you are trying to block is simply coming from a noisy fan, quite often a standard window with the addition of laminated glass will usually doa pretty good job. I would ask the manufacturers you have already looked at to provide you with the STC ratings for their windows so equiped. Do not be talked into simply upgrading to triple pane glass as that will have no effect on sound transmission over double pane glass. BTW argon and krypton gasses do nothing to reduce sound either.

Here is a link that might be useful: Milgard Quietline Windows

Thanks for the feedback. We were looking at Milgard, but our contractor thinks they are not available in the northeast. Today we bought a sound meter from radio shack, and it recorded a 57db reading when the fan is running directly outside the window location. Thanks

Contractor is correct.

Milgard is no longer offered on the east coast.

A well engineered replacement casement with laminated glass will give you considerable STC improvement.

Sorry, missed the part about living in the N.E. Your contractor is correct they are not available anywhere in the eastern US that I am aware of.

Casement with foam filled frame, sashes and with laminated glass would be your best bet. You could also take a look at Monray storm windows. These are specificall built for sound abatement and have even been used on homes near airports and train stations and other areas where sound is a big problem.

Here is a link that might be useful: Monray Storm Windows

The 400 series has a STC rating of 33 with laminated glass in there double-hung, the casement is 30. I believe they had storm windows that would clip into their frames as well, would be interesting to the STC numbers with these mounted. The MAC/airport program here used Renewal by Anderson windows with Monray storms mounted on them. The Andersons used standard glass and the Monray's had 3/16ths non-laminated glass.Marvin also sells a storm window for some of their windows as well.For low and high frequencies a window without gas would perform slightly better than argon filled but not for mid frequencies.Larson also makes a sound control storm window(the SCS line) it uses 3/16th glass and is more economical and available than the Monray's.Pretty much everything will have an effect on the sound transmission loss from the glazing spacers to the wallsthe windows sit in, so it would be best to take a look at the big picture before spending big money on items you don't need.

Interesting that the casement numbers were less impressive (assuming it had lam glass as well) than the Double hung.

+1 on figuring out what you need and where the sound is coming from first.

It's all on there website if you want to check it out.

Does anyone have experience with the Andersen Combination Units (storm windows)? I can find the product page and installation instructions but no product specifications on the Andersen web site.

I have 5 200 series windows and I'm considering adding the combination units to cut down the noise from a nearby road. Would love to know what the STC or OITC would be with both the 200 series and combination unit.

I have 9 additional original windows in 4 bedrooms that I will be replacing this year. Trying to decide between a high end sound reducing window and more of the Andersen 200 series with the combination units.

Andersen should be able to provide with all the STC information and I am sure they have some glazing options to offset the glass thicknesses and drive up the STC.

The airport programs in Minneapolis all use some type of storm window.Renewal by Anderson was using storms from Monray.Seems that 3/16ths standard glass is the minimum requirement for storm windows for the program.

Just remember windows are only part of the sound package. To maximize that wall facing the fan, you will also have to look at insulation, sealing cracks etc.

I would be interested in any numbers you find, especially with the storms.

Found this on page 93. Adding a combination unit to a 400 Series tilt-wash double-hung (3862) unit with Low-4E glass will improve its STC rating from 26 to 32.

Here is a link that might be useful: Andersen Brochure

The Marvin Integrity series has a STC/OITC glass option. Takes the rating to STC 32, OITC 28. This isn't laminated glass, it is a combination of 1/8" and 3/16" glass for the insulated glass.

Just installed 5 Andersen combination units on my existing 400 (not 200) DH TW windows. Big difference in suppressing the road noise. Well worth the money (~$150 each). Very pleased.

Plan to buy Andersen 400 Stormwatch DH windows for the bedrooms then add these combination units. Should end up with an STC close to 38.

You're thermal and air infiltration numbers should improvel and the life of the prime window should be extended as well.

Andersen told me today that they do not recommend using a combination unit with a Stormwatch window. So I will go with the regular 400 Series DH Full Frame window paired with the combination unit. That combo will match the rest of my windows.

Note that you also can't use a combination unit with the DH Insert replacement window. Has to be a Full Frame window.

We just installed 24 Andersen casement windows in our house renovation. These windows overlook a lake and noise was never a problem in the past. However, with these windows, we have a new acoustical problem - any noise outside (distant traffic, leaf blower, mowers etc.) is magnified by the windows - a sort of harmonic effect - and it is a dull roar inside when it is really not loud outside. If I open a window, the noise abates. I have been told it is because the 2 panes of glass resonate at the same frequency and amplify the noise. I am looking for (reasonable) solutions as these are all brand new windows and I really can't afford to remove and replace them. Thanks for any suggestions.

This was discussed previously and Oberon had some poignant feedback on it.

Sorry to hear of the difficulty but I would wait to see what he comes up with or see if you can search the old threads.

Ellessebee, did you find a resolution to your window noise problem? Did you try anything to say that it does not help?

Hi All, Old Thread, but probably still relevant challenge. I recently ordered and received the Marvin Elevate Windows with the different size glasses. One challenge is that Marvin doesn't seem to label anywhere on the window that it is STC rated. So that means, I paid $200/Window extra with very little evidence that its the correct one. I'm told that they are heavier but without a scale, seems hard to really measure. Anyone know how to read the actual stickers?

Thank you!

you're welcome!

Hi All, thanks for the feedback. My distributor has agreed to take the cost off while he figures out the solution. In the meantime, we received the next batch of casement windows and I think if I'm readings this correctly as learned from @oberon476---these windows are not STC as the glasses are the same size. Right?

The IGU will have an STC of about 31 or so, but the whole window performance will be different.

I would not expect that make up to be considered as a noise blocking window.