divine angst

I think this will be the last post about noise.

We discovered a way to reduce the outside noise by about 40%. Turns out our double-hung sash windows have been open about two inches at the top (yes, all of them) since we moved in. Since before we moved in, actually. Maybe since the other people lived there. We discovered this the other day, but had little luck closing them from the floor and neither of us felt inclined to crawl up on the window sills to get them closed.

This morning, I said “Screw it!” and climbed up on each window sill and closed each window without any problems. We thought they were slipping, but I they weren’t. The springs (or cords, not sure how new these windows are) seem to be working fine. All but two clicked nicely into place–and we were able to lock the windows for the first time since we got our keys.

I don’t know why we didn’t do this earlier; I guess it’s because neither of us has ever lived in a place with double-hung sash windows. Windows open from the top, too? So weird! Well, apparently not and, now that we know, we are reaping the benefit of reduced noise.

[And, knock on wood, our downstairs neighbors didn’t play loud music after our last request on Sunday night. This might work out well after all.]