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There are several ways to reduce noise coming through your windows. You can seal gaps around the window frames with acoustic caulk or fresh weatherstripping to reduce noise and air leaks. Installing sound-dampening curtains, thick blinds, or shades can also help deaden sound vibrations. For an additional interior barrier, consider installing an acrylic or plexiglass sheet inside the window, which stifles sound while still allowing for outdoor views. Another strategy is to add external barriers, like dense shrubbery or a sturdy fence, to block neighborhood noises. If these methods are not effective enough, it might be time to install new noise-canceling windows.

The material around a window is simply called the window frame, but the individual pieces also have different names. The top portion of the frame is called the head, the side pieces are called jambs, and the bottom portion is called the sill. If you have multiple windows next to each other, you’ll also have a mullion, which is the frame piece that separates the individual windows. Windows stacked on top of each other are separated by a horizontal frame piece, which is called a transom.

In addition to protecting your home from costly storm damage, storm windows increase your home's value if you live in an area that’s prone to severe weather. Storm windows offer about an 80% return on investment (ROI). Therefore, if you install $10,000 worth of storm windows, you can expect to get around $8,000 back if you sell your home within a few years of installation. Additionally, highly hurricane-prone areas, like the Florida coast, offer even higher returns, with ROIs on storm windows reaching up to 86%.

Replacement windows normally don’t come with new sills, as the sill is part of the window frame that the replacement window fits inside. If you’re replacing windows, it’s a good idea to replace the sill, as well, especially since the sill will be fully exposed and easily accessible for replacement.