How to soundproof jalousie windows? I often receive this question over and over again. If you ask the same question, then you’re in the right place. In this post, I will be sharing with you how to exactly soundproof a jalousie window.
Without a doubt, jalousie windows are efficient and offer aesthetic characteristics to space. These glass made windows are perfect for wooden homes and offices. Fresh air can readily pass through them which will, in turn, provide free aeration to the room.
Jalousie windows are also called Louver windows. And apart from the beauty that they bring, they provide other amazing benefits.
Below are some of the benefits you can have by using jalousie windows. Jalousie windows can:
- Maximize airflow due to their design. If you want a great airflow in your living space, then these windows are perfect for you.
- Easy to control how much air to flow. Depending on the climate or season, you can easily adjust the panel to allow more or less air to enter the room. Thanks to the controllable panels.
Personally, I love the jalousie window in my cabin. It helps me feel fresh surroundings. They make my living space more alive.
But all of these benefits did not come without a price. The problem with jalousie windows, however, is that they do not resist outside noise.
The structure of the window allows the noise to readily enter the room. This really creates a problem especially if you’re living near the streets.
While other types of windows are easy to soundproof, dealing with jalousie windows is always challenging. Remember that the air passage is also the noise passage. This means that blocking the outside noise will also block the fresh air.
However, doing so will compromise the coziness of the room. This makes the soundproofing process even more challenging. Unlike other types of windows, jalousie windows need strategic actions to achieve your soundproofing goal.
But the good news is that there are available ways on how you can soundproof this type of window. And as promised, in this post, I will share some of those techniques that I found effective.
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How to Soundproof Jalousie Windows?
There is no single shot of doing this. What I am about to share here are the tips that I found effective. You can check them out below and see whether the tips are also applicable to your situation.
Six Ways to Soundproof Jalousie Windows
1. Soundproof Jalousie Window with Weather Strips
Unlike sliding windows, Jalousie windows have tiny spaces in the frame. These tiny spaces are weak points where outside noise will pass through. This also makes the entire soundproofing process difficult.
But as I said, there are simple techniques you can do to achieve your soundproofing goal. You only need a few materials to do so.
- Gloves
- Screwdriver
- Insulating Strips
- Cutter
After securing the materials, you are now ready to start the project. Here are the steps involved in a successful soundproofing jalousie window.
Step 1
The first step you need to do is to clean up everything. What I mean by this is that you need to remove the window panes. This step is the same whether you’re dealing with glass panes or wood pane. Before doing this step, make sure that you are wearing gloves and screwdriver to make the whole process easier and faster. Safety must be the first to consider.
Step 2
This step involves the application of the weather strips. You can have different shapes of strips. But it does not matter because this material is malleable. Begin by peeling off the adhesive cover of the strip and apply it to the area you want to treat.
Step 3
You can start whichever part of the window you want to start with. But what I found most effective is starting at the very edge of the windowpane. Make sure that all the tiny spaces are filled with the strip. Use a cutter to cut the strips according to the size you need.
After doing so, make sure that the in-between spaces in the window panes are tightly filled with the strip. You can use any rigid object to push the strip until it is tightly secured.
If you do this correctly, you’ll be able to reduce the outside noise and also makes it energy efficient.
2. Use Storm Windows
If you don’t like the first technique, you can check the second option; and that is installing a storm window.
Storm windows are windows that normally used to eliminate outside noise. You can install it either inside or outside the existing window.
Storm windows serve as an insulation and sound blocking structure. The good thing about it is that it can be easily installed with or without having special skills.
However, if you don’t want to do it on your own, then seeking help from a professional is a good idea. But if you decide to do it with yourself, here are the materials you need:
- Pencil
- Hammer
- Knife
- Level
- Mask
- Screwdriver
- Caulk and caulk drill
- Storm window
- Measuring tape
Now here are the steps you need to take next.
Step 1
The first thing you should do is to make the correct measurements. You don’t want to make inaccurate measurements because if it happens, you’ll waste a lot of resources.
When measuring a window, you need to consider the three areas; the top, middle, and bottom. List down the measurements to have a point of reference later.
Sometimes you might find out that the three areas don’t have an exact measurement. But as long as the difference does not exceed an inch, you’ll be okay.
Step 2
Clean the window by scraping the loose paint. When doing this, always take safety into consideration. Don’t forget to wear a mask.
Step 3
The next thing you can do is to provide very good drainage for the window so during the rainy season the water will just exit from the bottom of the window. The best thing to achieve this is to drill weep holes at the window sill.
Stage 4
In this step, use the caulk on the edges of the storm window to prepare for installation.
Step 5
After preparing the storm window, it is ready to install now. To install it, just screw it into the frame of the window. Then install the expander tightly in the window sill using a hammer and knife.
In this process, however, make sure that the door works well. Try to close and open to making sure that everything is fine.
3. Use Soundproof Curtains
My next recommended tips for soundproofing jalousie windows is the use of soundproof curtains. As the name suggests, these curtains are used to block outside noise.
Soundproof curtains come with thick layers of durable materials strong enough to block the sound. The thicker the curtain, the better it does the job of soundproofing a room, or, in this case, a jalousie window.
If you want to go into this route, make sure that you buy the thick curtain that is effective and perfect for your project (check soundproofing curtains on Amazon).
Using a soundproofing curtain to soundproof a jalousie window may be the easiest way to make the room quieter. The best part is that it makes the room more beautiful and cozy.
To buy the best and perfect soundproof curtain, there are things needed to consider. Below are some of them;
- Don’t forget the curtain rod when buying the curtain
- Choose the one that has the most density
- The required size for the jalousie window
- And the material that the curtain is made from
What I love the most soundproofing curtain is that it is very easy to install. You don’t need special skills to do so. The process is similar to installing regular curtains in the house. The only difference is the weight of the curtain.
Soundproof curtains are thicker and therefore denser than the regular ones. The thickness is the main defense system against outside noise.
And one last thing; when installing soundproof curtain, make sure that you cover the areas you want to cover. Choosing the curtain that is larger than the jalousie window works for me every time.
4. Use Acoustic Caulk
What I learned from my experience is that soundproofing materials sometimes cannot give you a hundred percent outcome. This happens especially when you’re working with windows. The curtains, for instance, could not cover all the cracks and gaps on the wall and window. They seem small and irrelevant but they could actually sabotage the result of your project.
What you can do however is to use an acoustical caulk (check it on Amazon). This material is sealant normally used to fill the gaps and holes on windows or walls. Apply it around the window frame and leave it for 48 hours to allow the material to dry.
During the application, however, make sure that you are equipped with safety measures. Wear protective gear on your eyes, mouth, and hands. When dealing with chemicals like this, safety must be the first priority.
5. Use Acoustic Jalousie Window
The best way to soundproof a window sometimes is to buy one. Yes, you read it right. There are ready to install windows that are already treated for sound blocking. One of which is acoustic jalousie window.
However, this option will not work for everyone unless you want to replace the existing jalousie window.
But if you are just in the process of constructing your home or room, then choosing the acoustic jalousie window is the best option. More people used this window than now. But you can still buy it and enjoy its benefits.
If you have enough budget and don’t want to deal with the usual soundproofing process, then this is your best option. Buying one will save you a lot of time and effort in trying to figure out how to soundproof a jalousie window especially if you’re a beginner.
Not only that, using an acoustic jalousie window is usually more effective than the one that you manually soundproofed (well, this depends on the brand that you’re using). But most acoustic jalousie windows reduce sound up to 32 decibels. This is a considerable noise reduction you can have from a soundproofing material.
This further means that using an acoustic jalousie window can make a significant difference in the living space.
6. Use Blinds and Soundproof Shutters
Aside from the mentioned materials, you can also implement some additional soundproofing materials for more successful results. Some of the materials, in this case, are the blinds and shutters.
Blinds are not designed for soundproofing. However, they can certainly help reduce the outside noise. If you want to go on this route, make sure to purchase the one that is thick enough to block outside noise (check this on Amazon). Blinds with double cells are probably my favorite because they come with the right thickness to block the outside noise.
Final Thoughts on How to Soundproof Jalousie Windows
Although challenging, soundproofing jalousie windows is doable. Depending on the existing structure of the room, some soundproofing techniques are easier than others.
But whatever technique you’re going to employ, there are certain things you need to take into consideration. Here are the things you need to remember:
The Type of Noise You’re Dealing With
For me, the first step for successful soundproofing is determining the intensity of the noise that you want to block. This is because different intensity needs different types of soundproofing materials. High-intensity noise, for instance, requires thicker soundproof curtains. For low noise intensity sources, you can use regular soundproofing materials.
The Cost of the Soundproofing Material
The budget can sometimes impact your decision in choosing the material for your soundproofing project. If you have enough budget, the process will be easier for you. In contrast, if you have a limited budget, you are constrained. The good thing, however, is that even if you have a limited budget, creativity will make a difference. If you are creative enough, can still achieve almost the same result by using cheap materials.
The Aesthetic Value
If you want to retain the aesthetic value of the space, then you need to choose the materials that can help you achieve so. The good news is that most soundproofing materials today are designed for the maximum result not only on the effectiveness to block sound but more so improve the beauty of the space.
Again, the key here is creativity. The more creative you are, the more successful the project will be regardless of the budget.
