How are you guys treating your windows?

[spiderdragon]

I have a few windows I'd like to treat to to add a bit more isolation and also cut back a on reflections. I still want the light and air when needed so I'l pass on the cinder block idea. I'm thinking heavy drapes or possibly auralex panels that I place in front of them as needed. Ideas?

[joeq]

I live "in town" so I really wanted some good isolation for my windows. Foam and drapes help somewhat but the lows pass right through.

I bought some countertop material at Home Depot. Its some kind of pressboard stuff with a plastic coating. much heavier and more inert than plywood. And the clean white coating looks a lot nicer than a piece of plywood, for sure.

I had them cut it to a size that overlapped the window by a few inches all around and made some hooks to hang it from. I can unhook it when I want some sunshine (for me, that's almost never ) but when its up there it gives me really good isolation.

I glued some thick auralex on it to cut the glare and screwed on a couple of screen door pulls as handles to grab it by. Down the line I plan to cut some foam to fit the "inside" of the window hole like a "plug"

The one downside is that it's really heavy so I make sure there is no gear nearby when I am taking it on and off

[artapril]

Have a look at www.microsorber.com
They have transparent isolating materials.
It´s a german company, so if you are from the states you have to cantact:

Mexico

Aislantes De Materiales Tecnicos
De Mexico SA DE CV
Puebla 603 Minerva Pachuca Y Poza Rica
MEX-89120 Tampico, Tamaulipas C. P.
Tel. +52 1 213 68 54
E-Mail: raj.khosla@kaefer.com

[Ethan Winer]

Spidey,

> I have a few windows I'd like to treat to to add a bit more isolation and also cut back a on reflections. <

Foam, drapes, rigid fiberglass - none of those will do squat for isolation. I understand that cinder block is unacceptable, so make some panels from one or two thicknesses of 3/4 inch MDF. Then make a simple but air-tight frame you can slide the panels into when you need the isolation. Once you have a solid barrier, then you can cover them with something soft and absorbent to also tame the reflections.

The key to sound isolation is mass, and plenty of it.

--Ethan