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What do homeowners complain about the most? Not crime or litter, but noise. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, more than 4 million people said street noise in their neighborhoods was so bothersome that they wanted to move.
In addition, researchers say that for some groups like young children, consistent exposure to noise, even at the level of a conventional dishwasher or raised voices, can elevate stress hormones, blood pressure and heart rates.
Manufacturers are tuning in to this trend and creating new "quiet" technology, from kitchen appliances that are so silent that they need visual cues for "on" and "off" to windows and doors that dramatically reduce sound transmission.
To make your home more quiet and comfortable, follow these steps recommended by Jeld-Wen, a window and door manufacturer:
1. Understand STC ratings. A higher sound transmission class, or STC, rating indicates a greater sound-reducing effect. Single-pane glass with no lamination has an STC of 26, considered low because voices from outside can be clearly heard. Dual-pane insulating glass with an air space between the panes has an STC of 28. Laminated glass has an STC of 35. At this STC rating, loud speech from outside can be heard but not understood. Ask the manufacturer for the exact rating of the product.
2. Replace passageway doors. Isolate annoying noises with sound-dampening doors, like ProCore The Quiet Door from Jeld-Wen. These doors are up to 50 percent quieter than hollow interior doors. ProCore The Quiet Door has an STC rating of 31.
3. Choose laminated glass. Lamination refers to panes of glass with invisible interlayers sandwiched together, which creates a strong barrier against flying debris. Laminated windows are touted primarily for their impact resistance and safety, particularly in regions with extreme weather and hurricanes.
4. Upgrade your insulation. New, high-tech materials for wall insulation offer STC ratings of about 40 and higher. Insulate interior walls, attics and basements, and consider covering at least 25 percent of a room's floor area with carpet. Carpet and furniture will help absorb sound and reduce annoying echoes.
5. Replace aging appliances. The latest dishwashers, clothes washers and dryers, vacuums, leaf-blowers and even cooling fans all have quiet features.
For more information, visit www.jeld-wen.com or call (800) 877-9482. -NU |
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