I’ve spent a lot of time researching and writing about the benefits of soundproof windows. When I was recently explaining the advantages to a friend for their upcoming project, they asked me, how much do soundproof windows cost?
Well this got me thinking. I’ve done several articles on why you should choose soundproof windows, but not what effect they could have on your budget. So, let’s get into it.
In this article, I look at soundproofing windows cost and some options for reducing the price a bit.
Why Soundproof Your Windows?
Just to recap my position on the matter, upgrading your windows can have a noticeable impact on the level of sound that passes through them. For example, if you still have single-pane windows, switching to double-pane will show you how soundproof windows help.
However, the sweet spot for the best results is a double-pane window with laminate glass. This combines an air gap with resilient materials and mass. I explain all this in more detail in my article on the best glass for noise reduction, so check that out.
As mentioned, this article focuses on the cost of replacing or upgrading windows. I’ll break it down by glass type and size, cost of labor, and more.
Soundproof Windows Cost Breakdown
Below, I’ll address each of these categories in more detail. But for a quick roundup, here are some rough prices you can expect to pay for each aspect of your soundproof window cost.
Window Replacement
- Glass: $70-800 depending on material
- Frame: $75-$1,500 depending on material
- Labor: $70-$150 per window
Total cost: $215-$2,450
Pane Replacement
- Glass: $70-800 depending on material
- Labor: $70-$150 per window
Total cost: $140-$950
DIY Window Soundproofing
- Acoustic caulk: $25 per tube
- Weatherstripping: $10 a roll
- Soundproof curtains: $20-$150
- Window plug: $50-$100
Total cost: $105-285
As you can see, there’s a lot of variation depending on the materials you use. But this is what I’ll break down below, so you can get a better idea of what options will be best for your needs.
Should You Replace the Full Window or Only the Pane?
When fitting new windows, you can either replace the entire thing (glass and frame) or just the glass. However, this’ll depend on what you plan to fit and whether it’s compatible with your existing setup.
If possible, I recommend only replacing the glass. In my experience, this should be doable if you’re working with dual pane windows, for example, and it’ll save you a lot of money compared to a full replacement.
But there are some tips for making this decision:
- Check compatibility. Your first step should be to decide if your new glass is compatible with your existing frame. Some frames only accept certain types of glazing. For example, a single pane frame won’t usually be large enough for a dual pane setup, meaning you have to replace the full window.
- Figure out your DIY capability. It’s pretty much always easier to just replace the pane if possible. In fact, you can replace a glass pane yourself, as this video demonstrates. I highly recommend trying this if you can, as it’ll save you a lot of money on labor costs.
In the rest of this article, I’ll dig further into the costs I’ve listed above for materials and labor. Hopefully, you should have a good idea of the potential costs by the end.
Cost by Pane Size
I recommend starting with the size of window you’ll need. To explain this metric, I’ve focused on double glazing panes, as these are the most common. Unsurprisingly, size directly correlates to cost: bigger panes are more expensive.
There are loads of standard window sizes, but some of the most common include:
- Small: 2’ x 3’
- Medium: 2’8” x 5’2”
- Large: 4’5” x 6’5”
As this image shows, though, there’s lots of variation, and this is just for single- and double-hung windows!
In terms of cost, some examples taken from One Day Glass include:
| Window Size | Cost per Pane ($) |
|---|---|
| S | 165 |
| M | 454 |
| L | 1010 |
It’s worth noting that these are very rough costs and are for the sealed dual-pane unit only.
Cost by Pane Type
Next, you’ll want to decide what type of pane you’re fitting. I won’t bother discussing single-pane windows, as these do nothing for soundproofing. As such, your options will be:
Double-Pane Glass
This is the most common type for thermal and acoustic insulation, and is what most people will already have in their homes. As such, you’ll have the most options and the most flexibility in price.
The best setup within double-pane windows is 2 panes with different thicknesses. This helps reduce sound transmission, aided further by the air gap between them.
Triple-Pane Glass
Unsurprisingly, this setup includes a third pane of glass. While this offers noticeable gains for thermal insulation, it actually has minimal impact on sound transmission loss. I explain this in more detail in my article on triple pane windows, so read that for a full breakdown.
You’ll generally have fewer options for style and setup with triple pane windows because it’s less common. Also, expect it to cost more (as the table below shows).
Laminated Glass
Laminated windows are objectively the best option for noise reduction. As I discuss in my article on soundproof glass, this is because it includes an extra resilient layer. In simple terms, this is a layer of resin that adds resonance damping between the glass panes.
Your best bet is to combine a layer of laminated glass with a layer of normal glass in a dual-pane setup. You can find a table in my article on the best glass for noise reduction. It shows the clear gains of this setup over other options.
However, putting all this together will be more expensive than other options because it’s a bit more custom than something you’d pick up off the shelf. I’d argue, though, that it’s worth the cost if you’re serious about soundproofing.
To give you a better idea, here’s a table of some rough costs for each type of pane setup. I’ve chosen a standard size for them (2’8” x 5’2”), but you can expect the cost to increase as they get bigger.
| Glass Type | Cost ($) |
|---|---|
| Dual pane | 454 |
| Triple pane | 580 |
| Laminate | 219 |
Although the laminate pane is the cheapest, this is only for a pane of laminate glass. For the full window cost, you’d want to combine it with the cost of a single pane of normal glass and the sealed setup, which will add a few hundred dollars onto the cost.
For example, if you look on Home Depot at laminate glass units, the cost can vary from $250 to more than $2,000. Considering you’ll probably buy it as a full unit rather than just the glass, this is a more representative cost.
Cost by Frame Type
The type of window frame you choose will have minimal (if any) impact on the window’s soundproofing properties. Although there is some variation in the transmission characteristics of metal, wood and vinyl, it’s not enough to consider here. In fact, STC test reports from window manufacturers don’t bother mentioning the frame.
Instead, they focus on the glass type and thickness and the size of the air gap. So, I won’t cover frames in much detail here, other than to give you a rough idea of cost. According to Modernize, fiberglass is the cheapest and composite is the most expensive.
Here’s a reproduction of the table you’ll find in that article.
| Frame Type | Average Cost ($) |
|---|---|
| Fiberglass | 320-683 |
| Aluminum | 397-846 |
| Vinyl | 391-834 |
| Wood | 875-1865 |
| Composite | 950-1800 |
If cost isn’t too much of an issue, and durability is, I recommend going with composite. However, fiberglass and vinyl are also decent picks if you need to save a bit of money.
Cost for Labor
Again, there’s not really much to say about the cost of labor. It’ll vary by region, complexity of job, and number of windows, but you can expect to pay a minimum of $40 an hour per laborer according to Forbes.
Another important factor here is window location. You should expect a first-floor window or higher to be more expensive because of the extra equipment needed. Unsurprisingly, too, a full unit replacement will cost more than just replacing the glass.
Generally, I wouldn’t recommend installing soundproof windows without any prior experience. It’s pretty advanced work when you factor in all the steps. However, replacing just the panes is achievable with just some YouTube videos to aid you, of which there are many!
Additional Costs
I won’t bother discussing these in too much detail, but they’re worth mentioning. When replacing windows, expect additional costs to include:
Insulating Gas
The air gap is typically filled with argon gas. Unless you’re buying a sealed unit, this’ll need doing. A professional will charge for products and labor and this could run you a few hundred dollars.
Custom Window Dimensions
Custom-sized windows will be more expensive because you can’t just pick them up off the shelf. There isn’t really a set price bracket, as you’ll need to get a specialist involved.
If this is the case, I recommend contacting a local window specialist to put you in touch with the relevant people.
Soundproof Window Brands
Specialist soundproof window brands will cost more than generic windows. However, I recommend steering clear of these where possible, as you can pretty much achieve the same results with the tips I’ve given above.
In real life, it means you can pick the right thickness, air gap and type of glass to achieve your desired STC. I detail the ideal soundproof double pane window in another article, so check that out for everything you need to know.
Cost of Soundproofing an Existing Window
If you don’t want to bear the cost of replacing either the whole window or the glass, there are some cheaper options available for improving existing windows. These include:
- Sound dampening curtains: $20-$150
- Window inserts: $50-$100
- Window foam plugs: $50-$100
- Weatherstripping: $10-30
- Acoustic caulk: $25-$100
Installing window inserts probably has the best cost-to-payoff ratio. Check out my article on how to build storm window inserts for more information.
FAQs
Is soundproofing worth the cost?
Soundproofing is worth the cost if you have a goal in mind. Whether this is building a home theater or recording studio, or cutting out traffic noise, it’s worth soundproofing for a reason. If nothing else, having this goal in mind will help you decide whether the cost is worth it once you start researching materials.
What type of window is most soundproof?
The most soundproof type of window is a dual-pane setup, one of which is laminate glass. Both panes should have different thicknesses, and there should be a decent air gap in the middle. Although no window will ever be truly soundproof, this combination will give the best results.
Final Thoughts
There we have it: a comprehensive breakdown of the cost of soundproofing windows. As you can see, there’s significant variation depending on the materials you plan to use. However, if you have single-pane windows and want to cut out some noise, I’d say it’s worth the investment.
Have you tried upgrading your windows for soundproofing? If so, how did it go? I’d love to hear about your experiences in the comments.
