A single pane window will have an STC of around 25. Going up 10 points on the STC scale to a 35 will be the equivalent of cutting the noise in half. That will be a big difference and even more if the window are well sealed to the home and have a good air infiltration number.

+ to WOW above but keep in mind that windows are just part of a sound reduction package. Look at the whole picture: the overall amount of insulation, sealing cracks, and on and on. Otherwise, you will be disappointed especially because you put VERY in all caps!

Thanks for the replies. I did put "very" in all caps! I actually have a diagnosed medical condition that causes the sensitivity to noise and it's really a drag. Eventually I'll move out to a parcel in the country for relief, but for the foreseeable future I have to stick around where I work.

I have been reading and reading about the STC, proper installation and sealing, etc. But what I would really like is to actually hear from people that have had these particular windows installed and can provide their personal, albeit subjective, experience with the noise differential.

As for the STC- I wonder why Simonton doesn't publish an STC for the Daylight Max. And I question the usefulness of laminated glass if, as the Brothers sales rep has stated, it would only raise the STC from 33 to 35. That change is insignificant, yet the laminated glass adds 40% to the cost of each window! (I checked the estimate again and it is ~40%.) Why do so many sources state that laminated glass can make a big difference if it does not actually create a perceptible reduction in noise?

I sure wish the person who posted 5 years ago on a bunch of different sights about this exact problem and exact windows would come back and provide the end of the story!!

There is more to sound attenuation then just the windows alone. Unless you address proper sealing of the house, the best sound attenuation windows will only provide marginal results, period.

I get that. But certainly there has to be some significant difference between old, single pane aluminum windows and new, double paned windows with varied thickness of panes? I can only hope that the installers will do the job correctly.

"I can only hope that the installers will do the job correctly."

Again, its not just the window installers. Is your siding 100% tight, your entrance doors? Sill plates to the walls. Your soffits are vented, how tight is your attic? Everything contributes, you would be amazed at the number of places sound trasmission will and does occur.

love it how the OP complains about another poster who didn't "come back and provide the end of the story" and then goes and does exactly the same thing themselves.

@HU-962545427 You assume I got the windows. Frankly, your obnoxiously rude comment would be sufficient reason for me to provide no update. Maybe work on your presentation when seeking help, And I did get them.

@Tastie Cereale

Hi, I can completely relate to your question/this thread, as my situation sounds almost identical (loud neighborhood, very OLD single pane aluminum windows, going crazy and have considered moving if I can’t reduce the noise). I’m also planning to update to an almost identical glass configuration of 3/16 and 1/8 with about 5/8 spacer, and have thought that the tiny increase in STC for laminated glass doesn’t justify the big cost increase. Can you give me an update on how the noise changed with your new windows installed? Did it help you stay in the house longer, or does the noise still get to you?

@Nate S Hi, i ended up selling the house for many reasons, and I'm so glad I left! The windows did make a good difference in certain noise, but I'm super sensitive to all kinds of things, so the vibrations still bothered me, as they can be felt through walls. I also noticed after installation that the lighting in the rooms with the new windows was noticeably different (again, I'm SUPER sensitive). The UV coating gave the light a greenish tinge to my eyes. The company confirmed the coating does affect the light transmission but they were very surprised I noticed it, as they said they had never had anyone comment on it changing the color or being bothersome. I believe them, as it's the kind of thing my friends would not see.

So if you're just concerned about sound transmission through windows, are not sensitive to vibrations, and you otherwise have good insulation in your home and are not in an area where loud, modded car engines and extremely loud stereo bass are the norm, then the windows may be what you are looking for.

@Tastie Cereale I’m glad leaving ended up being beneficial to you. That’s understandable that the change in windows will help more with certain noise frequencies than others. Hopefully it works for me. Thanks!