Ranked: Seven innovative noise reduction materials for commercial spaces

by arslan_ahmed | May 12, 2023 4:24 pm

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By Ryan Shure

Many types of buildings are considered commercial spaces. Commercial spaces are often large, bustling structures, required to withstand a high volume of human and machine traffic, more than a residential property. Managing sound transfer into and throughout a large commercial building can present a serious challenge. To help manage this issue, this article ranks seven innovative materials, from most to least comprehensive, that can reduce noise in commercial spaces.

Insulated concrete forms (ICF)

Many times, the bustle inside the building is minor, compared to the ruckus created by blaring traffic, strong winds, and pounding precipitation. If any of these factors are a concern, it is important to build with sound insulation in mind.

This starts with the framing; structural steel is an outstanding material for framing commercial buildings thanks to its durability, but it is not the ideal option for soundproofing. A better choice would be ICF. Composed of interlocking insulation panels set by concrete on-site, ICF framing creates a solid, one-piece frame which does an exceptional job of preventing sound from transferring through the building envelope. Many exterior sounds are initially reflected by the concrete. Any waves that do pass through this initial defense are absorbed by the foam insulation core, ensuring few, if any, sound waves make their way to the building’s interior. By providing sound-insulative framing, ICF represents the most impactful means of reducing noise in a commercial building, with ICF structures performing better than other buildings that use only surface-level noise mitigation techniques.

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Office acoustic panels

Once the foundation and framing are in place, the only way to truly soundproof a space is by adding an insulative mass in which sound waves are absorbed, canceled/blocked, and unable to travel further. However, most practices for adding insulative mass are considered unattractive.

For example, decoupling walls is a strong option for adding soundproofing mass. This involves separating walls into two sections, and the sound waves are lost in the chasm between them. In most applications, this involves adding an extra layer of drywall or some other type of “false front.” Not only does this cut into interior square footage, but it is not practical for open interiors with many windows. In addition, many types of sound-absorbing foam are bulky, unsightly, and inconvenient, leaving building managers with few interior design options.

To help add soundproofing mass without undermining style, decorative acoustic panels are increasing in popularity in modern commercial buildings.¹ Fabricated from a fiberglass core sheathed in decorative fabric, office acoustic panels feature a noise reduction coefficient (NRC) of 0.95, just short of the industry standard (an NRC of one) for complete soundproofing.

In most scenarios, office acoustic panels adhere to the wall and are as subtle as a picture frame, with their decorative quality giving the impression of interior decor and not sound mitigation.

Acoustic ceiling clouds

Modern commercial buildings are notably more open than their cubicle-centric predecessors. This can lead to some challenges regarding echo and unwanted noise transfer in sprawling interiors.

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For years, buildings used a drop ceiling design to help reduce noise transfer in commercial interiors. Similar in concept to decoupling walls, a suspended drop ceiling hides the underlying structural ceiling, with sound waves being absorbed in the plenum space between the two.

While this approach works reasonably well for reducing noise transfer between stories of a high rise, it is not as effective at managing sound transfer on the same story. To increase acoustic properties and add elements to a drop ceiling, modern acoustic ceiling clouds fit the bill.

Professionally known as sound attenuation batts, modern ceiling clouds can absorb up to 95 percent of all the noise in a room, keeping conversations local in a sprawling interior while adding an element of architectural intrigue.

Glass partition walls

Despite the energy efficiency and customization upside of keeping commercial interiors open, there will be times when privacy is necessary. Acoustic panels and ceiling clouds can go a long way in preventing noise transfer, but they do not eliminate the chance of a random passerby overhearing parts of a private conversation, meeting, or conference call.

For this purpose, custom glass partition walls are a great choice. They can be applied behind lobby counters, between office desks, or installed as complete floor-to-ceiling walls to create private meeting areas as necessary. These types of stylish glass partitions block and absorb sound while maintaining the bright, inviting ambiance of open commercial interiors. Thicker glass provides a higher sound transmission rating. Two layers of glass are often specified for rooms that require a sound transmission class (STC) rating higher than 36.

Flooring materials

Acoustic flooring can be a bit of a challenge in commercial spaces. The most durable flooring materials well-suited to withstand heavy use and abuse, such as polished concrete and epoxy terrazzo, are generally considered “loud” flooring materials that readily reflect sound waves back into the interior. To enhance the sound insulation of these types of floors, there are some products, such as acoustic membranes, which are bonded to the surface before the finish is applied, to help absorb some sound waves.

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In multi-story buildings, acoustic underlayment is added beneath hard floors to absorb noise transfer from lower levels. If the flooring is already in place and neither of these solutions are practical, strategically placing area rugs and rubber mats can add some noise-absorbing mass to the flooring surface.

Acoustic furniture

Cushioned, upholstered furniture does a better job of absorbing sound than more sound-reflective metals and plastics. However, traditional cushioned furniture does not always perform well outside of lobbies or waiting rooms, with more rigid desks and chairs preferred by many professionals for maintaining proper work posture.

Some companies have taken this into consideration to blend both these functions and produce sound-absorbing furniture fit for the office. With cutting-edge engineering that makes use of fabrics, angles, and built-in barriers, this type of innovative furniture works wonders for enhancing localized productivity in larger commercial spaces.

Acoustic paint

Although it is not the most impactful means of soundproofing a commercial building, acoustic paint is another way to help achieve some level of sound mitigation. As its name applies, paint is rolled or sprayed onto interior surfaces to help deaden some of the sound in noisy facilities.

Due to its relatively minor mass, acoustic paint is not as effective at soundproofing as the other materials listed. However, it does have the benefit of being fast and affordable. It can also have some utility in older structures which have many cracks and crevices in the walls and window framing. Spray-on acoustic paint can effectively penetrate these areas and provide some sound defense.

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Improving customizability

Managing noise in a commercial space is critical for ensuring the productivity of employees and the satisfaction of guests. Any of the seven innovative materials mentioned can help manage sound in a commercial structure. While any of the seven innovative materials mentioned can help manage sound in a commercial structure, framing with ICF will be the most impactful in reducing sound, as it reflects and absorbs sound waves at the foundational level. However, if the building is already intact, office acoustic panels and ceiling clouds are highly effective at absorbing sound waves.

Notes

¹ Learn more about decorative acoustic panels, acousticalsolutions.com/decorative-acoustic-panels/[6].

Author

Ryan Shure is a freelance writer who loves sharing his knowledge and expertise on renovations and construction. He lives in Tampa, Florida, where he enjoys spending time with his wife and researching building material trends in his free time. Shure’s work as a freelance writer can be found on Building Product Advisor, a new construction industry resource.

Source URL: https://www.constructionspecifier.com/ranked-seven-innovative-noise-reduction-materials-for-commercial-spaces/

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