Soundproofing may have once been a “nice to have” in a home or office environment, but today it is an architectural necessity. In the age of 24/7 noise pollution, building stakeholders are growing wise to ways that noisy environments can take a physical and mental toll on occupants.
“There are several ways excess sound can negatively impact our quality of life,” agrees Yvon Duhamel, Director of Acoustic Products with SOPREMA Canada, adding, “That’s why effective noise isolation, or soundproofing, has become a ‘must-have’ for home or building occupants.”
From fractured sleep to a loss of focus, distracted children to loss of privacy, the results of audible distractions and annoyances can add up. And in a time where shared housing and “work from home” arrangements are becoming commonplace, there’s a strong motivation for architects, developers, and building owners to do what they can to keep the peace.
Soundproofing standards
The need for calming environments is not lost on industry regulators. For its part, the National Building Code of Canada sets noise level limits via two soundproofing standards. These include:
- The ASTC (Apparent Sound Transmission Class (or STC)), which addresses airborne noises (e.g., televisions, sound systems, conversations, etc.).
- The AIIC (Apparent Impact Insulation Class (or IIC)), which covers impact noises (e.g., footsteps, mechanical system activities, moving furniture, etc.).
These standards define the minimum levels for those measures. The higher the number, the better the sound reduction performance. Specifically, ASTC calls for a minimum soundproofing level of 47 while the minimum AIIC recommends is 55.
The Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) has its guidance for soundproofing. According to the agency, ITS levels of 35 will enable regular voice conversations to be heard through a partition, while a soundproof room with an ITS rating of 49 will completely occupants from hearing loud interactions. Meanwhile, a soundproofing level of 55 is normally sufficient to block the transmission of any noise from a home theater, while levels of 70 are known to generally eliminate all typical noises.
These standards point the way towards designing calm, comfortable, and noise-free environments. And thanks to a broader range of noise isolation products, materials, and techniques, achieving these levels is more achievable than ever.
Turning the volume down
Reducing unwanted sound takes more than closing a window or padding a wall. It begins by understanding that sound waves can permeate the air and certain materials and must be absorbed by heavy materials such as concrete, gypsum, or rubber membranes.
“Much like structures, each acoustic material has its own signature. That is to say that each material must be used in an assembly to perform to the best of its capacity,” says Duhamel, explaining, “A material can perform well in one situation and not as good – or even not at all – in another. It does not have an acoustic index of its own, but rather it depends on the assembly in which it is used.”
The selection of materials also plays a big role in soundproofing performance. To that end, it’s essential to determine the acoustic outcome, the type of structure it will be used in, the type of flooring in the environment, and how much budget has been earmarked for noise insulation.
Ultimately, Duhamel adds, “Acoustic performance determined by effective design and execution between the architect, the builder, and the acoustic material manufacturer.”
From noisy neighbours to outdoor traffic, and construction activity to busy offices, building occupants are exposed to unwanted noise throughout their day. Taking measures to turn down the volume can, therefore, boost productivity, morale, and the ability to get a good night’s sleep.
After all, says Duhamel, “Acoustic design is not an expense; it’s an investment.”
Learn more about SOPREMA’s line of soundproofing materials and solutions at www.soprema.ca.
