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1 hour ago, JClark54 said:

Apologies for taking this thread further off topic, but here's a decent description of STC ratings and glass types. I can't tell you how much better I enjoy my at-home experience with them than without. 

 https://www.dillmeierglass.com/news/stc-ratings-of-glass

It's a window manufacturer and installer, but their information is fairly less salesy than others and provides good information, minimizing the need for the extensive research. I still encourage it, though, so you can make the best decision.

Assuming you've double pane windows, you're getting between 30 and 40 decibels of sound reduction. Since the train horns in the east end have been regularly measured at between 120 and 150 decibels, depending on the engineer, you're taking the brunt of the sound. 1/8" laminated glass panes may carry a STC rating of 40, per the blog post, and that matched what I could find at the university level. So it'll block 40 DBs, but thicker panes may block more.

Sun & Sound purport to use 1/4" panes, and I measured mine at approximately that. I can't say exactly what their STC rating is, but I imagine that my combination of double pane windows and 1/8" laminated glass inserts account for a 70 to 80 DB sound reduction, although that may be more perception than fact since adding panes doesn't mean you can add their respective STC ratings together. 

You'll notice acrylic didn't even make their list. I stuck it out with Sun & Sound despite their horrendous customer service because they offered laminated glass. The others in the area and the DIY ones found in home improvement stores are acrylic. A cursory search of acrylic's STC rating was 20s to 30s, depending on whether you went with 1/8" or 1/4" thickness. 

Thanks for the info. I already dropped $20k on “serenity series” STC47 windows from a local company. Great service, and the windows are beautiful. They cut most sound by 50%+. But nothing can stop these horns as they blow through the exterior walls, front door, back door. I’m still woken up.

It’s still slightly “on topic”. I should’ve asked if the trains horns could deter future homeowners, renters, businesses from the area. Or if nothing will stand in East River’s way. The dream is East River’s influence with a quiet zone being funded and established at some point.

26 minutes ago, JBTX said:

Out of pure curiosity, what odor? Based on your description, I live fairly close to you (south bank of the Bayou) and don't notice any particular odor. I have lived here for about 7 years though, so I may just be used to it.

The odor I’ve noticed is some mixture of landfill/sewage/bayou. It’s strong especially along Clinton, from Eado Edge to almost New Potato. It somewhat extends into the neighborhood. It’s not everyday, but some nights it’s so thick, car/house windows close immediately.

It was a topic during a civic meeting about a year ago. I don’t know what the source is. My guess is the wind blows it from the landfill along the bayou at Lockwood.

I’ve been following this topic for three years. I have a question I’ve wanted to ask this entire time.

I bought my house here in 2018 solely because of the East River development. I wanted to be “one of those people” who actually earn huge gains on a house. (Like The Heights homeowners who bought in the 90’s).

My problem with this neighborhood is the loud, angry, excessive train horns that surround us. Blowing more than the (long, long, short, long) sequence simply isn’t warranted at 2am. A single engineer choosing to blow 25-30x is overkill. I’ve done relentless legwork and learned there is no solution.

I find this neighborhood unlivable. The noise is one thing - so is the odor - there is no point sitting outside in the backyard. And the crime is a little annoying. Not being safe to walk at night is unacceptable. But when I drive along Clinton, and read HAIF, I’m 100% inspired and eager to stay. When I hear a train horn or gunshots, I want to drop everything and move. Two extremes.

Would it be the stupidest mistake of my life to sell the house? I don’t know how high home prices can go. Would a $280k house max out at $350k? East River is going to be monumental. The I-45 cap park affects us in a great way. So does the future of Navigation. Greater Fifth Ward may remain stagnant, but I think they want it that way.

Later this year will either be the greatest or stupidest decision I’ll make. It’s that extreme in my mind.