[zanderz]

Speaking of NYC, we've enjoyed some amazingly effective soundproof windows in many spaces, it seems like a thing there, but when we ask window salesmen in the Bay Area about soundproof windows like that, they kind of shrug and say " double pane is pretty much all you can do". Why can NYC do this but not SF? Or have we just not called the right store?

[octoberfranklin]

Because it probably won't make much difference unless your building is made of brick (like many NY buildings), which it can't be, because earthquakes.

The window sales guy doesn't want you to shell out megabucks on his recommendation and then get no benefit. That makes him look bad.

[MisterTea]

I have not heard of this unless its part of a recent local building code. I live in a house that was built in 1927 and partly renovated in the late 80's.