Why impact windows are quieter
Sound travels through glass by vibrating it. Regular window glass vibrates easily — that's why you hear every car on the road. Impact glass is two panes bonded to a heavy plastic inner layer, and that layer dampens vibration. Less vibration, less sound getting through. It's physics, not magic, and the difference is immediately obvious.
What gets quieter
Traffic. Homes near I-4, the 408, Colonial Drive, or Orange Blossom Trail hear a real drop in road roar. Airplanes. Parts of Orlando sit under flight paths to MCO — impact windows take the edge off jet noise. Neighbors. Lawnmowers at 8am, barking dogs, pool parties next door — all muted. Rain. Florida downpours on old aluminum windows are loud; on impact glass they're background.
What the numbers mean
Windows carry an STC rating (Sound Transmission Class) — higher means quieter. Old single-pane windows sit around STC 25–27. Standard impact windows typically land around STC 30–35, and upgraded laminated packages go higher. Every few points is a noticeable step down in perceived loudness. Ask us about the STC ratings of the products we quote.
Where it matters most
Bedrooms facing streets. Nurseries. Home offices on video calls all day. If you work nights and sleep days — common in Orlando's hospitality and healthcare workforce — quieter bedrooms aren't a luxury, they're sleep. Many homeowners tell us the noise difference alone was worth it.