The STC rating of the wall should be more than your window. A test secondary window?

Secondary glazing - An interior storm window. The original windows were replaced once already by the original owner - dual pane laminated glass - 1/8th inch and 1/4 inch thick separated by a 1/2 inch airspace. Obviously they could have gone for something thicker, but maybe this windows STC/OITC matches the walls quite well in the low frequency range ?

The secondary window has a 3-4 inch gap from the primary

Walls or the roof. Easiest way to rule out the windows is to step into a closet that is on a shared outside wall.

My problem is every room has a window or a skylight :(

The walls and skylights are probably the week link, maybe the roof. You’re getting into expensive options . pity could try putting something over the skylight. Do you know how your exterior wall is constructed?

Check your outlet and switch boxes. Any other wall penetrations.

We’re actually getting our roof replaced in April. At that time I will upgrade the skylights from acrylic to double pane laminated glass. (Though I am not too concerned about noise in the areas that have the skylights.) the roof will be replaced with 3 ply modified bitumen and has insulation.

Following. I have a similar issue, my headboard is on an exterior wall that faces the highway which is 100 yards away. It gets real loud around 5am. Not to mention our ac unit is right behind the headboard too. I really want to relocate it but that would cost a fortune! We added shiplap as a accent wall behind our bed and it has helped some. I’m pretty sure if we got double pane or hurricane windows it would probably help too or maybe plantation shutters but not ready to drop a lot of money on windows right now.

There are ways to soundproof walls, but they require some additional accommodations around windows, base trim, etc. You need to, in effect, "de-couple" the wall from the framing to abate the vibrations from the exterior. Tell us about the wall construction.

I believe it is 2x6 single stud

I believe it is 2x6 single stud

And the building was built in 2003. I think they went cheap on some things and didn’t use “DensGlass” or whatever which would have helped with mass

If it is still that bothersome after the skylights, as mentioned you could put a piece of foam inside of the shaft and see if that helps with the noise, you are going to either strap the wall with resilient channel and isolators, or use green glue and a soundproof drywall. There are a bunch of ways you can do it, just depends on the amount of wall depth you are willing to add to.

Might be cheaper to move?

Hahha, I bought this place sadly at a very low interest rate.

Re Windows on Washington’s suggestion - so that’s my question. How effective will green glue plus Quietrock on just the exterior walls be for my situation if the ceiling is not involved ? The skylights are actually not a big concern - they are in the bathrooms or in hallways away from the source of the traffic noise

Or are you saying the skylights may be compromising the ceiling in all the rooms ?

Until you can tell what is coming from where, it's impossible to tell. That said, when the roof is done (i.e. membrane or single ply roof with foam and/or recovery board), it will be pretty darn sound proof.

I had a sound engineer come by today. He said he thinks the double laminated windows basically maxed out the wall in the lower frequencies, so we'd need to boost the walls first. Going to explore a few options -- double drywall with greenglue/quietrock and Resilient channel/sound isolation clips and see what's what. Will keep this thread posted.

He didn't think the ceiling was involved.

Just one off the wall comment...normally ...you will begin to block that out after living there a while....and secondly are you sure the double windows won’t help ...after all windows are covered?...

Thanks for this, and following. I have a condo that is right on the train track and between two crossroads, so the trains blare their horns when they pass, which is at least couple times during the night. My bedroom is up in a loft, open to six big skylights. I am considering making an isolated "sleeping chamber" kind of thing around my bed just to make the noise more muted. Learning a lot just reading this, I didn't know about green glue and Quietrock.