Basics of sound proofing interiors
Does your new office seem too loud for you liking?
Is the new mini studio you set up in your home suiting your preferences?
If your answer to these question is not a firm yes, it is about time you started thinking about sound proofing.
This article will give you an insight about the basics of sound proofing your interior. The purpose of sound proofing is to block any sound from a defined space or to prevent any sound from getting out. Before embarking on any sound proofing project there are three facts that you need to familiarize with.
They are listed below.
1. Sounds needs a medium to travel. The shorter the medium the louder the sound. This point is supported by the fact that sound waves when travelling through a medium suffers attenuation.
2. Sound Transmission Class (STC) is a measure of the ability of a material to resist the transmission of sound with in the frequency range 125 – 4000 Hz, through it. STC ratings fall within the range 26-80. The higher the rating the better the material’s resistance. The STC rating of a basic insulated 2×4 wall on each side is 35-38. For steel studs it is 42-45. The STC rating for a concrete sub-floor of six inches is 52-53.
A good level of isolation for walls and ceilings is above 50. Even higher rating denotes high level of isolation. Single pane glass materials have the lowest STC rating and 8 inches wall dry walls on either side has the highest STC rating, 72. Heavier the walls, the better the ability to stop sound. That is, a 10 inches wall can stop sound better than a one inch wall.
3. Sound can be reduced by damping. Several acoustic materials are available for damping.
Considering these facts, we can conclude that sound proofing can be achieved by adding mass to the materials, adding space, and by introducing materials that can absorb within the partitions. Considering sound proofing during the construction and design stage is economical. Another option is to build a new wall with absorptive materials after tearing down the existing wall, if possible. A third option available is adding another material to the dry wall and later covering it with another dry wall. This covers both adding mass and adding materials for sound proofing.
Another factor that is as important as the sound proofing technique is finding the source or the cause of sound. In homes, windows are one of the major ways through which sound enters the room. Windows are made up of glasses or woods or a combination of both. As we have already mentioned, thin glass panes have low STC rating which means their ability to block sound is poor. Or alternatively, sound can also enter if there is a gap between the window and the wall. Without realizing this, even if you soundproof walls very efficiently, sound will enter the room and all your hard work would be for nothing. Thus along with soundproofing walls, you have to also take care of such ways through which sound can enter the room.
‘Interior game’ is one of the leading companies in the field of soundproofing with over 25 years of experience. ‘Interior game’ can help you have a better understanding of soundproofing techniques. Visit http://www.interiorgame.info for more details and queries.