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About Architectural Noise Separation

Airborne and impact-generated noise are major sources of occupant complaint in modern buildings. Conventional construction of floors, walls, and ceilings is often inadequate in controlling unwanted sound. By introducing Kinetics^® composite construction systems one can achieve substantially higher levels of sound control. Kinetics^® Floating Floors, Sound Control Floor Underlayments, Isolated Ceilings, Isolated Partitions, and Composite Barrier Materials all provide methods for achieving substantial increases in noise reduction.

Sound Control Floor Systems encompass a wide range of resilient composite constructions designed for varying acoustical criteria. An isolated floor, commonly called a "floating" floor, is used to minimize airborne and impact-generated sound transmission through the floor/ceiling assembly. Depending on application, the floating floor may be supported on resilient pads, a continuous resilient underlayment, or spring mounts. The perimeter of the floor is isolated with a resilient isolation board to prevent sound flanking. Go to http://www.kineticsnoise.com/arch/floors.html for more information.

Ceilings

Sound Control Ceilings are used to improve the Sound Transmission Loss (TL) of the floor/ceiling system for airborne or floor impact-generated noise. An isolation clip or hanger is used to support the steel grid and gypsum board ceiling. Isolation elements are typically fiberglass pads, neoprene pads or, for lower frequency sound isolation, springs.

Like all isolated sound control assemblies, the mass of the system, the air space and insulation between layers, and the natural frequency of the isolator will determine the noise reduction.

Ceiling isolation systems are often used in conjunction with floor isolation and sound-rated walls to achieve complete acoustical privacy. Find more information at http://www.kineticsnoise.com/arch/ceilings.html.

Wall systems can be designed in a variety of ways to achieve higher STC, Sound Transmission Class, ratings. Double-wall construction provides total acoustical separation of the two walls with an air space which is typically filled with sound-absorbing insulation. This is very effective but takes additional floor space and is more costly than single-wall construction.

Staggered stud walls are a compromise between double-wall and single-wall construction because the vertical studs share a base plate and top plate which transmit sound. Resilient isolation elements can create the acoustical break necessary for high performance in a single-wall assembly. Check out http://www.kineticsnoise.com/arch/walls.html for more information.