Sound Proof Window Inserts for Rental

[Dan C.]

I have a rental that backs up to a busy highway. It's a third floor unit in a condominium. The road noise isn't terrible considering how close to the highway it is. There are double pane windows, which are clearly helping mute a lot of the noise. They are expanding the highway so it's going to be even closer to the property. I'm considering installing sound proof acrylic window inserts (secondary glazing) that will reduce the amount of noise. It's going to cost between $3,000-4,000. I'm currently renting for $1,650 and there is an apartment complex pretty much right next to the property where rents are in the $1,800-1,900 range. Amenities are more or less the same. I would say my unit has better appliances and fixtures. I'm on the fence about spending the money because there's no guarantee I'll get market rent after the fact. That said, if I do the payback time would only be two years and everything after that would be gravy. Another point is that if I end up wanting to sell down the road I'll likely have to make the improvements to get the most interest from prospective buyers.

Has anyone faced anything similar/thought about reducing the noise levels in a rental? Were you able to charge higher rent?

TIA!

[Sam Shueh]

Fiberglass insulation will attenuate more noise than enhanced windows. I will study behind the wall opening up adding more insulation to dampen from other sources. R13 to R21 etc. You also provide better thermal insulation at possibly lower energy cost. You can also add more wall outlets at same time.