If you are replacing the sliding doors look for triple pane. Like the double
pane glass units the triple panes are better for heat insulation, and should
improve sound blocking. I also read somewhere that glass units made with
different thicknesses of glass, unlike most units that have all the glass
sheets the same thickness, different thicknesses of glass supposedly will
vibrate at different frequencies and reduce the noise transmitted.

Heavy drapes will also cut down on noise transmission.

wrote in message
...
On 27 Jun 2007 16:30:20 GMT, Clark wrote:

wrote in news:as2583p4l7s4o87i393esc0qdiuaofccj4@
4ax.com:

I'm looking for anyone with experience solving a soundproofing issue.
I have the privilege of owing a nice condo at a beach resort, but I
really don't sleep well there due to the constant traffic noise. The
condo is about 30 yards from the costal highway and it can get quite
loud. Apparently it's very cool to alter your truck's exhaust system
and rev the engine at 2:00 am. Are guys modifying the motorcycle
exhaust systems too?

The building is concrete with a dryvit styrofoam facing, so I think
that's doing a fine job of noise reduction. The bulk of the noise
seems to be coming through the sliding glass doors at the south end of
the unit. One in the master BR and one in the LR.

These glass sliders look to be cheap builders grade low cost doors.
They slide fine, don't leak in storms, and generally work ok, but they
are your basic 6' sliders. I want to keep the glass doors because
they connect to the balcony, let in light, and give nice views.

Should I look into buying new glass doors? Do I go top of the line
name brand from the local vendor, or are some better than others?

I did read that adding a 2nd door outside the original will help, but
I'm not sure I want that drastic of a solution.

What about rolling blinds? The kind that roll up into an exterior box
at the top of the window. Will these just block light, or do they
actually help with traffic noise.

I'm sure there are other folks who have similar issues, how did you
solve them?

Not necessarily solved the sound pollution problem but have helped it by
installing double pane windows and sliding door. Big difference in sound
over the old single pane, aluminum frame windows and sliding door. Have
you
considered adding storm shutters? You could close them when sleeping and
retract them when you wanted the view. I'm thinking of the segmented
aluminum storm shutter that retracts into a roll above the window or door.


I talked to a local company http://www.alutech.com/ about storm
shutters but they didn't have any information about noise reduction.
They generally just do these for weather protection. I'm curious if
the shutters actually help reduce traffic noise.