Tag: Painting quantity

Acoustic insulation helps to reduce and stop the sound transfer

Acoustic Insulation – Why Do You Need It?

In a building, acoustic insulation helps to reduce and stop the sound transfer. This may be from one floor to another, one room to another, or from one hotel room or apartment to another. Sound is of two types. Sound produced due to impact is impact sound. It is felt and also heard like a door shutting, the spinning of a washing machine on a kitchen floor, or footsteps on a staircase. The sound that is heard is airborne sound like music, a conversation, or the TV. Sound passage through walls and floors is flanking transmission. It is needed to identify and eliminate these sound paths before fitting the suitable insulation system. Often flanking transmission is a problem in new buildings, and particularly in refurbishments, where it may not be possible in altering the building structure for reducing flanking transmission.

Acoustic Insulation and Sound Control

Different ways and means are there for the effects of impact and airborne sounds to be reduced. For separating floors, acoustic flooring can be used. It provides more sound control. Depending on the extent of usage of the room and how noisy it is, different kinds of acoustic flooring are there. A landing or staircase will require various kinds of acoustic flooring compared to a dining room or a living room. Resilient panels and bars can be used for improving sound isolation of ceilings and walls. There can be a difference to the kind of sound control needed depending on whether the room is in an office, a flat, or a hotel.

For any building work it is important to consider acoustic insulation and sound control. Government legislations state the levels of permitted noise, and the ways and means to control the noise. It has been stated by UK Building Regulations that noise is a safety and health issue, and it is the right of people to be at home without noise being a threat to their health. This includes resting and sleeping. Different regulations are there that govern new refurbishments and buildings in terms of controlling sound. For refurbishing an old building, or changes made to your own home, hotel, or office, different kinds of sound reduction products may need to be used than if you were building a new office, home, or hotel.

Testing your Building

Your building needs to be tested depending on what kind of sound control products you use. Pre Completion Testing (PCT) applies to many refurbishments and buildings, and is needed that the refurbishment or building is tested for compliance with the local government building regulations. If the products exceed or meet the standards that PCT require, then PCT is not needed.

A Practical Guide to Sound Transmission Class and Noise Criteria

A Practical Guide to Sound Transmission Class and Noise Criteria
There are different types of noises. They are not of the same nature. The harsh mixture of unwanted sounds that prevail in the cities contain several. It may be the low sound of a heavy machinery or the blaring high pitch sirens of a police patrol car. How much sound can a wall allow through? Is there a single index to measure all types of sound? The terms STC, NC, and NCB are commonly used when we talk about soundproofing and acoustic treatment.
What is Sound Transmission Class (STC)?
STC stands for Sound Transmission Class. To understand this term we may have to look into some more terms. First, the term dB, or decibels is used to measure the loudness or softness of a sound. To understand it better, a rock band in a disco is around 110 dB. A quiet office may have 30 dB sound level. When you install soundproofing measures, say, on windows, doors, walls etc., the value of dB will come down. This is called transmission loss. In the case of the above disco, if you shut the doors and windows and stand outside the dB reading which was 110 dB may now read 90 dB. It can be said that closing of the doors and windows and measures taken are the reasons for the transmission loss of 20 dB. It is also seen that with the change of frequency of the instruments like guitars played inside the club, the transmission loss is also varying. What is clear now is that transmission loss is dependent on frequency, which is measured Hz (Hertz). A loud drum boom has a frequency of 20-60 Hz, and a guitar around 500 Hz. Human ear can detect sounds at 20 Hz to 20,000 Hz. Consider 16 standard frequencies ranging from 125 Hz to 4000 Hz, note the corresponding transmission loss, and plot a curve. Compare this curve with several standard curves, and suppose this curve matches approximately an STC 45 curve, we can conclude that the space has a sound transmission class 45.
What is NC and NCB?
Noise Criterion – NC – level is a standard that indicates the loudness (dB) of a space with reference to a range of frequencies (Hz).
The NC rating is obtained from NC curves, by plotting the octave band levels against a given noise spectrum.
NCB Curves
Balanced Noise Criteria (NCB) curves are intended to replace NC curves and are used to specify permissible levels of background noise inside homes and other living spaces like air-conditioning and similar ambient noise.
Conclusion:
It can be said that STC reference curves help us decide effectiveness of a wall in preventing sound transmission between rooms. Noise Criterion, in both NC and NCB variants help us to identify the noise present in an environment like a room. Knowing these values is important in formulating solutions for noise control and soundproofing.

Acoustic Sealants and Adhesives To prevent sound from leaking through gaps in walls

Acoustic Sealants and Adhesives
To prevent sound from leaking through gaps in walls, floors, and ceilings acoustic sealants and adhesives are extremely helpful options. Sealants and adhesives improve the noise control and also ensure that there is a tight bonding between the two mating surfaces. Sealants and adhesives play a crucial role in any soundproofing activity. Make sure that the parts are properly bonded and sealed are critical when any acoustic and soundproofing job is considered.
Acoustic Sealants
Though acoustic sealants and adhesives both have similar applications, sealants effectively seal gaps in ceilings, floors, and plaster board. Acoustic silicone sealants are meant specifically for soundproof applications. Sealants are normally not adhesives but some sealants have adhesive properties and are known as adhesive-sealants. Adhesive-sealants play a part not only in noise control but also in bonding two surfaces. The origin of acoustic sealant is latex adhesive which is soundproof and is initially in a semi-liquid form at the time of application and remains in a rubbery state. This property is the reason why sound cannot escape or enter through small gaps. The sealant absorbs most of the leaking sound even before it escapes and creates vibration inside. Acoustic sealant is good for bathrooms because it is water resistant and so you can’t hear water noise outside. The sealant is to be applied liberally in joints between two soundproofing items, like the joints between adjoining drywall panels, or at the joints of floor and wall or wall and ceiling. You can also apply it to seal gaps around electrical boxes, lighting recesses, doors, and windows. The covering plates and other fittings are assembled after application of the sealant. You have many brands of acoustic sealants to choose from. How do you decide? To make the sealant really effective you have to apply it generously wherever it is required to seal all the crevices. If buying a costly one may tempt you to apply it in miserly manner, you may better buy a cheaper sealant, but making sure that it is a sealant and not caulk.
Acoustic Adhesives
Modified starch based wall fabric adhesive is a heavy duty clear based adhesive. This is an ideal adhesive for use with acoustical wall fabric. The adhesive can be painted, rolled, or troweled onto surfaces. Used for light to heavy weight commercial wall coverings, it possesses very good adhesive property and extended open time, that is, the time required for the adhesive to bond. Spray adhesives are meant for fixing acoustic foam to surfaces like drywall, plastics, cardboard, wood, and most metals. This spray adhesive is to be applied to both surfaces being bonded. Spray adhesives are suitable for bonding wood, glass, metal, plastics, and carpets. Apply spray with protection, in open area, and wash your hands after work. Power grab acoustic adhesive is water based, non-toxic and it is easy to install. It provides a permanent bonding when fixing ceiling tiles and wall panels. There are products which have the properties of both acoustic sealants and adhesives combined into one.
Acoustic sealants and adhesives compliment the effects of other acoustic products like foams, panels etc.

Acoustic Shock and Vibration Testing In the present day society

Acoustic Shock and Vibration Testing

In the present day society there are a number of forms of noise all around us that can be regarded a form of pollution if they are not kept under control. To assist keep society free of such extra noise, now there are standards in place concerning it. One manner to ensure that the whole lot is in compliance is through acoustic shock and vibration testing. The documentation that accompanies the general analysis is quite simple to understand. The information permits recommended solutions to also be offered. In this way it is easy enough for understanding what future steps need to be taken. The usage of acoustic shock and vibration testing is always becoming more popular.

Benefits of Acoustic Shock and Vibration Testing

There are many benefits determined through such testing. They check for the strength of the foundation, the overall performance of a system, if the system is resistant to vibration and shock, and if all of the noise regulations are followed. The final thing any business desires is to pay fines for not being compliant.

Simultaneously acoustic shock and vibration testing will help in ensuring that the sound heard by the audience is of high-quality. Nobody wants to attend a live show that sounds terrible. They can get a bad impression of the performing band due to this. There is no realization from them that there are a lot of backstage activities though that affects the overall sounds.

Acoustic shock and vibration testing can provide reliable information as feedback. A business will then be able to find out if everything is under control for them. If modifications have to be made they will be capable of understanding why it is so. Such testing can provide information regarding the amount of noise and vibration offered.

Testing By Experts

Behind this the technology is far complicated however do not worry about that. All of that has to be left to the experts that are concerned with such testing being performed. Take your time for finding a professional which can provide you such services. Find out to what duration the testing has been done by them; get some references, and their pricing.

Determine what sorts of equipment they provide also. They have to have quality sensors and analyzers that they use to finish the testing on behalf of you. You want to make sure you’ve got testing of this type done by the right people. In any other case the results you get from them might not provide you the overall value you had been after.

Conclusion

The cost of acoustic shock and vibration testing will be found to be very affordable. You could want to do some searching online for finding a business in your area offering such benefits. This solution should not be overlooked since it is one that will without a doubt be an asset for you currently and in the future.

Acoustic treatment involves treating the rooms with sound absorbing materials

Acoustic Treatment
Acoustic treatment involves treating the rooms with sound absorbing materials. The sound absorbing materials help in reducing echo, reverberation, and standing waves. Absorbing materials like mineral wool and acoustic foam do not prevent sound from escaping from the room. For example, acoustic tiles will reduce the ‘liveness’ of the room and make it more appropriate for recording music, performing music, and even listening to music.
Acoustic isolation of the room from the world outside is soundproofing. Also, leakage of sound between rooms is reduced by it. For example, if there are two adjoining recording rooms soundproofing is needed for reducing Studio B affecting Studio A.
Room isolation will be improved by mineral wool and acoustic foam but to a very less extent only. A lot of work and cost are involved for being able to soundproof properly. A room inside a room needs to be built for gaining perfect sound isolation. This is very costly but some easy and cheap solutions are there that can lessen sound leakage and improve sound isolation. Firstly a good idea is to seal windows and doors completely, as sound transmission mostly occurs from this. After this is done installing a ventilation unit is needed. Turning the sound levels down is another solution.
Acoustic foam is needed for reducing reverberation time and to usually improve the room acoustics. Installation of products like bass traps and acoustic tiles makes recordings tight and defined instead of having a lot of color and an unmanageable room.
There is also a need for acoustic treatment in a room where mixing will be taking place. If there is a lot of echo and a reverberation time is very long in the room then mixes will not be in harmony and badly judged.
But there can be an installation of a lot of acoustic treatment. There will be unnatural recording due to this. The results will display an absence of color and it will be very difficult to work in the room created. This is why a room is never treated with acoustic foam totally. Work should be done on percentages. The start will be with the minimum and little by little has to be added until the perfect sound is got or the sound the client is striving to get. When some of the ceiling and walls are left bare still there are some reflective surfaces helping in keeping the room live a little bit. There is no similarity between rooms and a lot of planning and forethought are required for each and every room. The construction of a room, the proportion of its width to its height and length all have a bearing on the sounding of the room and the extent of acoustic treatment needed.

Benefits of raised access floors in interior designing and decoration

The Concept behind Raised Access Floors in interior designing and decoration

The benefits of raised access floors  in interiors have been well recognized now and the new building interior designs for business incorporate raised access floors in their plan. An access floor  in interiors is an elevated floor built upon the base concrete floor, with an access to the plenum thus formed between the raised floor and the base floor. The plenum serves as a space for the distribution of services like power, data and voice and also for heating and cooling systems. The floor height is about 65 mm minimum and adjustable to more than 1.8 meters. The whole system is modular in the sense that you can control the entire electrical component switching system from panel control board receptacle. The finished floor surface of the top of the panel can be laid with carpet tile, laminate, vinyl tile, materials such as cork or wood or finished concrete. If you install a HVAC system which can be located below the raised floor most of the duct work can be avoided and so also other insulation requirements.

Raised access floors Planning and Design in interiors

The introduction of access floors in the offices and other work areas is becoming more and more popular by the day because the benefits of raised access floors are many. The solution that the raised access floors offer is ideally suited to support the activities of business situations that are highly informative and largely computerized. Owners and developers together with facility managers and building interior designers have to tackle the unenviable task of frequently changing scenario of high churn rates, technology-driven operations, ensuring flexibility and at the same time keeping the total costs down.

All this would mean that you have to take a new look at the planning and construction of the buildings. It must also be ensured that all the related systems of the building are integrated such that there is no confusion and that they support one another.

It has been seen that in many instances, in the case of conventionally planned buildings, the cost of maintenance and changeover are very high. The users postpone such changes and in that process sacrifice efficiency and comfort. It is also a fact that in several cases the facilities created by older designs become redundant because the wiring and related interior installations for distribution cannot meet the needs of changing technology and organizational changes.
By correctly planning the building with foresight and creativity one need not worry about changes because it will become easier and routine and the newer technological changes can be easily adapted without much disturbance to the existing layouts. A building thus designed interiors can be called an intelligent building interiors because it has the capacity and flexibility to accommodate changes and also can encourage changes.

Benefits of Raised Access Floors in interior designing 

Changes in cabling and wiring in interior designing can be engineered for faster interior installation. Offices can be quickly reconfigured without interfering with power, air distribution system, data and voice services. Among the many benefits of raised access floors in interior designing are easy power, air, and telecommunication distribution and the resulting environmental and economic benefits, ease of access and easy reconfiguration of the communication system below the floor.

Assistive listening devices (ALD) are utilized for improving hearing ability for people in varied situations

Assistive Listening Devices

Assistive listening devices (ALD) are utilized for improving hearing ability for people in varied situations where they’re unable to differentiate speech in noise. Usually in a crowded or noisy room it’s virtually not possible for a person whose hearing is impaired to differentiate one voice among several. The listener whose hearing is impaired has to differentiate between noise between them, background noise, and the speaker. There will also be an impact of room acoustics on the sound quality reaching their ears. Hearing aids can enhance and process these sounds and the speech to noise ratio will be improved but if there is lot of distortion in sound by the time the listener hears it, even the best hearing aids can strive to unscramble the signal.

Benefits of Assistive Listening Devices

It’s commonly used to help people who are hard of hearing (HOH) by better sound to noise ratio (SNR) and amplification. The usage of ALD is to help HOH people hear televisions and other audio devices. It also helps people to hear speech using public address (PA) systems like in a lecture or synagogue. There is an estimation that people with loss of hearing need an increase in volume of around 15 to 25 decibels for understanding speech and other sounds as easily as those with normal hearing. This gap in hearing loss in people can be made up by using ALDs. It increases sound to a comfortable level for them.

Types of Assistive Listening Devices

There are three main types of assisting listening devices, which are all considered very helpful for people afflicted from loss of hearing. Usually ALDs use infrared, FM, or inductive loop technology for amplifying and filtering sounds for their users.

Personal modulation (FM) Systems –

These systems use radio broadcast technology and act very much like miniature, customized radio stations. The private FM system consists of a mike utilized by the speaker (a pastor, academic, or leader, for example and a receiver utilized by the listener. Personal FM systems aren’t offered off-the-shelf and should be distributed by professional audiologist.
Infrared Systems – Infrared light waves are used by these systems for transmitting sound information from a movie theater, television set, or as with personal FM systems.

Induction Loop Systems – Electromagnetic technology is used by these systems and can be usually seen in group settings in which they are used by many hearing impaired persons. Using receiver and headphones individuals may use an inductive loop device.

One-on-One Personal Amplifiers – These systems are used to help their wearers in small group conversations and face-to-face. They are suitable for use in nursing homes, restaurants, at home, or in school settings. The need for shouting is eliminated by these systems and helps in maintaining the privacy of both the speaker and the listener.

Today there are many Assistive listening devices available in the market for persons whose hearing is impaired and for situations where one has to communicate with others at close range but needing privacy like in restaurants.

Interior game offers free consultation on interior designing and decoration, soundproofing products and materials from USA. Living room interiors and bedroom interiors, bathroom interiors and kitchen interiors, Garden exteriors and wall painting, wall paper Fixing and guidance.

Acoustical Glass Wool Acoustical glass wool is an insulating material produced from glass fibers arranged into a texture like wool using a binder

Acoustical Glass Wool insulation

Acoustical glass wool is an insulating material produced from glass fibers arranged into a texture like wool using a binder. The procedure traps millions of little pockets of air between the glass, hence creating an excellent thermal and acoustic insulation. Glass wool is formed into products with varied densities and thickness. Glass wool is made in slabs or in rolls with varied mechanical and thermal properties. Also, it may be made as a material that can be applied or sprayed in place, on the surface needing insulation. Glass wool is lightweight and offers considerable advantages during installation and transport. Additionally, glass wool is chemically inert having no impurities like sulfur, iron shots, and chloride. The product does not corrode metal and does not support growth of mold. It is made from inexhaustible raw materials and in every stage is environmental friendly.

Principles of Function of Glass wool 

Gases have properties of poor thermal conduction in comparison to solids and liquids, thus making a good insulation material if their trapping can be done. For increasing the effectiveness of a gas (like air) it may be broken into small cells which cannot transfer heat effectively by natural convection. In convection, gas flows in a larger quantity, driven by temperature and buoyancy differences. In small cells it does not work well where the density difference is less to drive it.

With a specific end goal to achieve arrangement of little gas cells in man-made thermal insulation, polymer materials and glass can be utilized for trapping air in a foam-like structure. The same principle utilized in acoustical glass wool is utilized in other man-made insulators, for example, syro-foam, rock wool, wet suit neoprene foam fabrics, and fabrics, for example, polar fleece and Gore-Tex. The air-trapping property is likewise the insulation principle utilized in nature in down feathers, and insulating hair, for example, natural wool.

Health Problems by Glass Wool and Fiber Glass

Fiberglass will irritate the skin, eyes, and the respiratory system. Possible symptoms include irritation of skin, eyes, throat, nose, dyspnea (breathing difficulty), hoarseness, sore throat, and cough. It is demonstrated by scientific evidence that fiber glass is safe to install, manufacture, and use if work practices that are recommended are followed for reducing temporary mechanical irritation.

Uses of Glass Wool Insulation

Acoustical glass wool is a thermal insulation that comprises of entwined and adaptable glass fibers, causing it to “package” air, bringing about a low density that can be varied using binder and compression content (as given above, these air cells are the real insulator). Glass wool can be a material that can be loosely filled, blown into storage rooms, or, together with an active binder sprayed on the bottom of structures, panels, and sheets that can be utilized for insulating flat surfaces, for example, ceiling tiles, cavity wall insulation, roof tiles, ducting, and also curtain walls. It is likewise used to protect piping and for soundproofing. Acoustical glass wool absorbs sonic energy and is usually used to improve the acoustic performance of ceilings, walls, roofs, and floors.

Auroral Sounds The phenomenon of Auroral Sounds or Auroral Chorus

Auroral Sounds
The phenomenon of Auroral Sounds or Auroral Chorus related to the Northern Lights has been a topic of many discussions and researches all over the world for several years now. The sound has been described as unusual noises like the crinkling sound of cellophane cover, radio static or the sound made when some small animal rushes through dry leaves or grass.
How Auroral Sounds are born
Professor Unto K. Laine of Aalto University heading a group of research team in 2012 came out with the proof that the Auroral Sounds attributed to Northern Lights had the source located at about seventy meters altitude which is very close to earth. Professor Laine has further identified the mechanism causing the sound by combining the measurements of temperature profiles taken by the Finnish Meteorological Institute with his own measurements. As per the new theory on inversion layer, the strange sounds connected to Northern Lights are created when the geomagnetic storm releases the charges collected in the inversion layer of the atmosphere.
The Mechanism of Auroral Sounds
According to Dr. Laine, the temperatures are lower at the higher altitudes compared to lower levels. But the opposite happens when temperatures drop below zero usually when the weather is calm and clear in the evenings and nights. Air becomes cooler near earth’s surface and warmer at higher altitudes. The warmer air, moves up carrying negative charges present at the ground level, to higher levels where colder layers are present, but the inversion layer acts as a preventive lid and does not allow the movement. The colder air which is present above the inversion layer is positively charged. Then the accumulated charges are discharged due to a geomagnetic storm causing sparks, Auroral Sounds and magnetic pulses that can be measured and recorded.
Dome Over Village
Dr. Laine’s experiments and were carried out on two days on the 17th and 18th of March 2013. During this period, there were unusually enchanting Northern lights in Southern Finland. To arrive at his conclusions, Dr. Laine had to carry out several hundreds of experiments of the sound phenomenon in Fiskers at a temperature of -20 degree centigrade. Summarizing, Professor Laine says that even a mild wind can stop the creation of inversion layer. This would mean that there will not be any sound. He further adds that the effect of inversion layer had been felt by him even as boy when he was residing in Ostrobothnia. He had observed that during winter, in calm weather, the smoke emitted from the chimneys of cottages would raise straight upwards vertically and then would stop suddenly and spread horizontally like a dome above the village.
Concluding, Professor Laine stresses that his theory does not say that there are no other mechanisms causing this phenomenon, but the three mysteries connected to the Auroral Sounds are all explained in his hypothesis for the first time. We can thus understand not only the mechanism causing the auroral sound, but also how we are able to hear the same when the auroral light source is as far away as 80-100 kms. It shows how we can hear the Auroral Sounds from 75 meters at the same time as we see the light in only 0.2 seconds.

Why Fiber Cement Siding Is Superior To Other Sidings

Fiber concrete siding is regularly used to cover a house to consistently make a look of wood or vinyl siding. Imagined over a century prior by James Hardie, this concrete board siding was initially utilized as an outside item to withstand the great atmospheres while holding the magnificence of the house. These days, this item is generally utilized as a part of all aspects of the world, essentially in territories of amazing climate.
Lovely Protection
The Fiber board siding, otherwise called Hardie Board siding after its unique designer, arrives in an assortment of hues and shades that have a nearby similarity to the look, composition and grain of wood siding. In any case, as opposed to wood, this sort of board siding is impervious to any sort of harm or damage coming about because of climate changes.
Climate: As this kind of material has solid filaments, the item is impermeable to outside components like wind, downpour, hail, moistness, and flying flotsam and jetsam. Not just any chipping of this concrete board happen because of its quality, however there will be no dampness maintenance in it.
Fire Prevention: As the siding is comprised of solid strands, this sort of board are impervious to flame, accordingly shielding a working from any outside danger.
Bothers: This siding material is an extraordinary safeguard against most creepy crawlies like termites, which frequently consume wood siding. This is particularly valid in southern atmospheres where there is sodden air and nuisances flourish all round the year.
Spares Time and Money
The expense of fiber bond siding is verging on like different types of agreeing with the additional element of not requiring any support. Because of it sturdiness to nuisances and decays, Hardie siding scarcely require repair and not at all like other siding, the boards of these materials will never fall apart.
Painting: Fiber bond siding holds paint longer than wood. As this siding is dampness safe, this kind of material never swells or spoils that paints on it to stay longer with no peeling, splitting or chipping. As there is no requirement for future re-painting, you spare your cash over the long haul by introducing this item, notwithstanding sparing time and vitality.
Determination: The accessibility of pre-prepared board makes it simple for you to get your own paint shading siding for simple application. Obviously, there is an assortment of pre-painted hues accessible to browse, making it simple to choose the right shade without much exertion.
Less Upkeep: In examination with vinyl siding, fiber bond is significantly more impervious, and is free from arrangement of marks, twists, lists and becoming dull.
Hit the nail on the head the First Time
In the event that you plan to introduce this kind of siding material, let an expert do the establishment. In spite of the fact that you could do it without anyone else’s help, yet there is an exceptional strategy that is required for establishment.