single pane + storm vs double pane - did we make a huge mistake?!

last year

We recently purchased new windows that apparently have a STC of 29 and OITC of 24 - double hung, double pane. We previously had very old windows (1940s) + storms (2020). Our house faces a semi-busy road but the noise never bothered us before. We had several of the windows installed today on the road-facing side and it is so much louder, even with the blinds. Our contractor said they still need to caulk and do the outside trim. But I am freaking out. We (clearly naively) assumed new windows would be far superior to our decades old ones - and there are definitely functional improvements. But should we expect the noise to improve with the caulking and trim or have we just made a horribly expensive mistake?

Shockingly, no one ever mentioned better sound proofing or tried to upsell us in this process, even though we quoted with other companies (LePage, Marvin, Pella, Anderson) who came to our house and saw the location, so upgrading never even crossed my mind.

For the time being, I asked the contractor to save whatever storms they can. Reinstalling those would defeat much of the functional and aesthetic upgrade we were hoping for, but the noise is my main concern right now.

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Comments (6)

klem1
last year
If old windows were wood or vinyl frame that would account for transferring less noise. Another possible contribution would be if there was more airspace between 1940s and storms. If storms had caulk cord between frame and mounting surface that would lessen noise transfer.
Feline Fit
Original Author
last year
The old windows were wood and yes, there were several inches between the old ones and the storms. The storms were pretty mediocre quality though. So it sounds like we did make a mistake. Besides reinstalling the storms, any ideas on what we can do now?
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HALLETT & Co.
last year
Sadly the replacement window industry is great at marketing itself, the old windows have no marketing budget. Yes you had a much larger cushion of air between the storms and the window than you do between the two panes of glass now. Hopefully reinstalling the storms over your new windows will help.
millworkman
last year

"" So it sounds like we did make a mistake."

Todays energy codes require insulated glass (double pane). Many companies do not even offer single pane glass, including ALL vinyl or fiberglass manufacturers.
dennisgli
last year
Interesting - when I replaced my old, wood, single-paned windows and triple-track storms with Andersen 400 double-paned windows I thought there was less noise from outside.

What windows did you install? You might want to check - installing storms over them may void the warranty?
Feline Fit
Original Author
last year
Dennisgli - this gives me hope! We installed LePage wood windows. But like I said above they haven’t done the caulk or trim yet so hopefully once that’s done, it better or at least the same.