The option to install the appropriate building systems to minimise noise and echo levels will be expensive and impractical once a home has been built. It is therefore crucial that acoustic comfort zones be designed prior to a home being constructed.
Trends show that Australia’s demand for contemporary living has led to a significant increase in noise and reverberation levels within the home.
The main contributors are:
- Surround sound, hi-tech music systems
- Home theatre systems
- The “smart house” concept with fully automated control systems
- Outside noise
Increasing levels of noise can raise serious environmental health concerns as well as personal discomfort if occupants are exposed to them for long periods.
CSIRO Acoustics Services Manager, Dr John Davy, believes the increasing number of complaints relating to noisy neighbours is the result of the lack of acoustic materials and design within Australian homes.
Selecting the Best acoustic System
1 Identify the activities that will occur in different parts of the home. This will determine the areas that require a higher level of noise control.
2 Consider what level of noise will be acceptable.
3 If the home is multi-level, consider whether impact noise from people movement upstairs will be a problem for downstairs areas.
4 Select a wall, ceiling and home theatre system based on the desired level of acoustic control.
Reducing noise in the home
Knauf recommends the installation of SoundShield wall, ceiling and home theatre systems to minimise and control noise levels in the home. SoundShield is a plasterboard with enhanced acoustic qualities. SoundShield’s super high-density* core helps to resist the spread of noise between rooms.
* The denser the plasterboard, the better it will resist sound transfer
Reducing echo in the home
Knauf recommends the installation of AcoustiShield to minimise echoes in the home. AcoustiShield is a unique perforated plasterboard with a protective mat glued to the back to aid sound absorption and prevent dust emission.
AcoustiShield can be used in any area with floor tiles or hard surfaces where echo problems are experienced, such as hallways and living rooms. AcoustiShield is perfect for home theatres when coupled with SoundShield.
AcoustiShield is available in three patterns providing users with a choice of performance and aesthetics.
In addition to installing a SoundShield or AcoustiShield System, good design can help minimise the potential for noise to travel within the home via flanking paths. Flanking paths are small gaps that enable sound to leak from one room to another.
- Placement of power points and appliances can create flanking paths for sound if back-to-back on either side of the wall. This is also true of different types of lighting, such as recessed downlights. These flanking paths can be minimised by sealing any gaps with an approved acoustic sealant.
- Hard surfaces in the room cause noise to echo. Covering surfaces with carpet and curtains will help to stop noise reverberation.
- Windows are one of the main flanking paths for sound but are often overlooked, and the larger the window the more sound can be transmitted. Even the simple step of adding heavy curtains can help cut down on noise. Double-glazing is the preferred option.
- Solid core doors, double doors, or gaskets or seals around the door can help contain noise.
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Acoustic Ceilings
SoundShield Ceilings
Knauf recommends 2 layers of 10mm SoundShield direct fixed* to achieve a sound insulation performance of Rw = 48
* to 150mm timber floor joists with 65mm acoustic grade insulation in the cavity
Knauf recommends 2 layers of 10mm SoundShield fastened to furring channels* to achieve a sound insulation performance of Rw = 57
* direct fixed to 250mm timber floor joists with 65mm acoustic grade insulation in the cavity
Noise absorbing ceilings
AcoustiShield Ceilings
Knauf recommends adding to a SoundShield ceiling 1 layer of 12.5mm AcoustiShield with insulation in the cavity to achieve a very high acoustic absorption performance*
* Dependent on the installation and the pattern selected
Acoustic walls
SoundShield Walls
Knauf recommends 1 layer of 10mm SoundShield applied to both sides of a 70mm single timber stud wall, with 50mm acoustic grade insulation in the cavity to achieve a sound insulation performance of Rw = 42
Knauf recommends 2 layers of 10mm SoundShield applied to both sides of a 70mm single timber stud wall, with 50mm acoustic grade insulation in the cavity to achieve a sound insulation performance of Rw = 51
Home theatres
Knauf recommends 2 layers of 10mm SoundShield applied to both sides of a 70mm double timber stud wall* to achieve a sound insulation performance of Rw = 59
Knauf recommends 2 layers of 13mm SoundShield applied to both sides of a 70mm double timber stud wall* to achieve a sound insulation performance of Rw = 66
For more information on home owner solutions for your home, click here.