I never thought much about windows. You opened them for air and you put curtains on them for privacy and to cut out the light in the morning. My 1935 wood frame house has steel windows that leak air and noise, but this is So Cal. So, so what? Then we bought a condo in Mammoth Lakes and with the windows closed, the wind would blow the curtains almost sideways in the dead of winter with 2 degree weather. We started to replace windows and doors with modern windows/ doors and our heating bill went way down.
Lately in LA it has been all about the noise. 4th of July was like New Years Eve in Waikiki with firecrackers and fireworks going on all night long. We woke up to an air quality alert of 219 — particulate pollution so heavy they recommended that no one go out. I ramped up the 2 air purifiers we have and stayed inside. By afternoon it had dropped to moderate. So we had a long hike and the weather is again beautiful. It doesn’t end there.
A noisy party by the neighbors is making me think of being in Milan last year where they had triple pane windows. We thought that was silly until we opened the windows and it was so loud we slammed then shut again. Last month, when the neighbors had a party until 1:30 on a Tuesday night, my Apple watch said it was 95 decibels in my living room with the doors shut. It may be time to replace my lovely historic windows. As homes are being rebuilt after the fires, double pane windows with high fire ratings are a requirement. Also, 1/8″ mesh screens on vents.
Our world is changing. We know more and can do more to protect ourselves. It is not just our windows.
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