Significant research has been conducted that links noise issues in hospitals with patient lack of sleep. The deteriorated sleep quality experienced by patients results in extended hospital stays, development of delirium, and other negative outcomes. By treating the underlying noise issues and associated sleep quality factors, hospitals are able to greatly improve patient satisfaction and […]
Category Archives: Soundproofing Tips
03
Dec
Dec
For those that have worked in museums, libraries, and other specialty civic projects, you may have noticed the tendency for architects to use 2# MLV, or 2 lb/sf (2 pounds per square foot) Mass Loaded Vinyl. This is an extremely heavy soundproofing membrane that is used to block noise from loud areas, such as mechanical […]
15
Aug
Aug
Noise is a critical component on sleep quality. Unlike other sensory perception, such as sight, there are no protective coverings over the ears. While eyelids close to limit perceived light, the ear canals remain open and unchanged throughout the night. That means the only difference between perception of sound between the day and night is […]
10
Aug
Aug
The building industry has evolved enormously in the past 20 years. While labor rates have increased, the amount of skilled labor available for many construction jobs is extremely limited. This is even more true for highly-skilled jobs, such as welding, carpentry, plumbing, and other trades. When this occurs, Architects and Contractors are forced to find […]
07
Aug
Aug
Drywall contractors are often tasked with ensuring constructed walls reach or exceed minimum STC values. In order to do this, it may seem simple to add extra layers of drywall and reap the benefits. However, the fallout could mean lost contracts when competitors realize there are much cheaper ways to hit high STC values. Related: […]
Your IIC Rating, or Impact Insulation Class, is a major factor in how much sound tenants will hear directly below a floor-ceiling assembly. The rating is determined by using a tapping machine on an existing assembly, and measuring the amount of sound that comes through below. This test measures structure-borne, or vibrational sound – the […]
28
Jul
Jul
STC Ratings for Walls One of the ultimate trade-offs in wall design is structural load versus STC ratings. It’s a relatively straight-forward proposition to achieve an STC 50 on a 25-gauge stud wall, but if the wall requires shear strength or structural load capacity, then the gauge size and spacing become a major hindrance. For […]
20
Mar
Mar
Many products described as Acoustic furniture promise to give acoustical treatment to open offices. These products imply they can isolate sound, reduce, and absorb noise without the necessity of walls and ceilings. There is a possibility that the word “acoustic” is added to the description of this item as a selling point instead of a proven fact to […]
20
Mar
Mar
There is a way to quantify how much sound is reflected in a room by using a metric called the absorption coefficient. In a nutshell, an Absorption Coefficient is a measure of how much sound is absorbed, and NOT reflected. What is Sound Absorption? Acoustic Absorption is the process of turning the motion of air […]
06
Mar
Mar
Basic Overview of STC Ratings Acoustical consultants are able to provide developers with valuable information regarding a structure’s noise reduction abilities, but have you ever wondered what rating systems they use or how those systems work? Keep reading for a basic run-down on the workings of the currently used STC system for the next time one […]