Best Materials for Reducing Noise in Your Building
When they enter a commercial building, one of the first things people notice is the way sound is transmitted. Noisy spaces in which sound echoes off the walls are often distracting and unappealing. Anyone who has ever strained to hear someone at the other end of a table in a busy restaurant or struggled to focus in a noisy office building understands the importance of soundproofing. Due to the high level of dissatisfaction environmental noise can cause, acoustics should be a top priority for architects and designers when they’re designing a space. Fortunately, you can use several materials to reduce echoing and control noise. Here are some of the best materials for reducing noise in your building.
Acoustic mesh panels
Designed to improve poor acoustic commercial environments, acoustic mesh panels mute environmental noise and enhance acoustical comfort. These interior aluminum-based panels are composed of a one-inch sag-free honeycomb support plate, which is layered under an intermediate blanket of fiber-free acoustic fleece. The combination of these materials creates a near-silent panel that boasts an impressive sound absorption value of aw = 0.9. These panels can be easily installed, removed, and refitted, which makes them highly functional solutions for soundproofing a space.
Mineral wool
Another absorption material that’s highly beneficial for reducing echoing and perceived noisiness in commercial spaces is mineral wool. Also known as rockwool, mineral wool is extremely dense, which makes it highly effective for noise reduction in floors, ceilings, and walls. In addition to reducing unwanted environmental noise, mineral wool also offers several other benefits. This multiuse material works as an effective insulator, prevents mold growth, and resists fire to boot.
Mass-loaded vinyl
Mass-loaded vinyl isn’t the most budget-friendly material for reducing noise in your building, but it is one of the best. Mass-loaded vinyl is composed of a relatively thin and flexible synthetic material made mostly of vinyl and other high-mass compounds. It’s used to add mass to a building’s walls, floors, and ceilings to completely block out sound. It can also be added around pipes and air ducts to further reduce unwanted noise.
