When you’re enjoying a relaxing day at home, the last thing you want is noise from chatty neighbors or relentless traffic disrupting your peace. Coming home means leaving the world behind — but that’s tough to do unless your home is well-insulated against external sounds. That’s where Sound Transmission Class (STC) ratings come in. STC ratings are the best way to determine your home’s unique level of sound resistance, and the ratings are easier to identify than you might think. So, what is an STC rating? Read on to find out more about how this industry scoring system can keep your home quiet and serene regardless of what’s happening outside.
Measuring an STC Rating
A Sound Transmission Class (STC) rating is a soundproofing score given to an individual surface in a building — walls, windows, or doors, for example — based on that surface’s ability to reduce noise. Interestingly, the ratings don’t start at zero; they start at 25 (no soundproofing) and go up to 65 (complete soundproofing). In other words, the higher the rating, the less noise penetration you’ll experience from that surface.
What STC Ratings Mean for Consumers
STC ratings aren’t just for contractors or homebuilders. If you’re in the market for new doors or windows, an STC rating is a great way to compare products before you buy. For example, a standard single-pane window generally has an STC rating of 25, but the industry average for residential STC-rated windows usually falls around 38. If exceptional soundproofing is important to you, you’ll want to look for a higher rating in the 40s. STC ratings also apply to doors, so you don’t have to worry about a different soundproofing measurement system. Ultimately, if you can’t decide between two windows or doors in a similar price range, it’s generally smart to opt for the product with the higher STC rating.
STC Rating vs. NRC Rating
You may have heard of Noise Reduction Coefficient (NRC) ratings, which are often mentioned in the same context as STC ratings. These ratings have slightly different connotations and shouldn’t be used interchangeably. NRC ratings indicate how much sound is absorbed through a surface, whereas STC ratings indicate how much sound is physically blocked by a product. For this reason, STC ratings are generally more important when you’re trying to reduce the amount of sound that enters or leaves your home; on the other hand, if you’re looking to improve sound quality, the NRC rating will be your primary indicator.
If home acoustics are important to you — maybe you’re a musician or someone with a passion for cinematic sound — you can look to NRC ratings. Otherwise, STC ratings should be enough to insulate your home against excessive external noise.
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Ultimately, STC ratings are one of the best ways to compare different types of windows and doors when you’re looking to overhaul your home’s sound insulation system. A high STC rating can mean the difference between a peaceful oasis and a noisy living room with all sorts of exterior hubbubs. No need to leave the ratings to the pros — STC ratings are easy to interpret for homeowners of all experience levels.
If you’re ready to upgrade your home with STC-rated windows, American Window Company should be your first stop. With affordable prices on the brands consumers want, we’re the place to shop for windows with a high STC rating to keep your home quiet and peaceful. We can assist you with selection, measuring, and installation or provide the windows that you need for your contractor. If you have questions about STC ratings or any other evaluation criteria, reach out to American Window Company today to discuss your project.