Introduction of the Acoustic Design Guide
Are you interested in improving the acoustic experience of your space? Here is the right place for you! We know acoustic designs can be difficult to grasp. This post reveals the essential acoustic designs with a step-by-step guide. The steps break down abstract concepts into tangible examples and solutions. After the guide, there is an easy-to-follow S.O.P. checklist that leads you to an instant start of your project. Make sure to check it out!
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Step 1 – Identify the Acoustic Goal
What is the auditory experience you expect to achieve? The experience can be reviewed in two parts, the desired sound and the unwanted noise. When determining the sound source, keep in mind the attributions of the sound source. Such as its origin point. Is it external or internal from the user’s perspective within a space? In the provided example, the wanted sound is the conversation and the music from the speaker. The unwanted noise is the traffic noise that comes from the outdoors.
Step 2 – Select the Acoustic Strategies
Once the goal is set, we can start to choose which strategies to apply. This step introduces theSound isolation is the strategy that blocks the unwanted sound that is generated externally. Such as noise from busy roads, airports, or industrial areas with loud noise intruding the interior and causing distraction. This strategy enables the opportunity to set up walls or insulations to create sound barriers between the noise and the user. 3 strategies that cover most of the situations.
1. Sound Isolation:
Sound isolation is the strategy that blocks the unwanted sound that is generated externally. Such as noise from busy roads, airports, or industrial areas with loud noise intruding the interior and causing distraction. This strategy enables the opportunity to set up walls or insulations to create sound barriers between the noise and the user.
2. Sound Reduction:
Noise or sound reduction is the method that reduces the unwanted sound that is generated from the same location as the user. This reduces the internal sound such as echo and excessive reverberation. If you are experiencing auditory discomfort and you can not put a wall between you and the noise, you should utilize this strategy.
3. Reverberation Control:
Reverberation may be desired or unwanted depending on the acoustic style that you are aiming for. The basic guideline is when it comes to vocals from a speech, we usually want the reverberation as minimal as possible. This is because the excessive reverberation may blur each word and cause confusion to the listener and the speaker. On the other hand, certain types of music require extending the reverberation to experience the music more like a live performance.
Step 3 – Acoustic Applications for the Strategies
1. Applications for Sound Isolation
Sound isolation requires materials that have high density to absorb and isolate the energy of the soundwave. Materials include mass-loaded vinyl, soundproof sheetrock, and rubber are suitable for sound isolation.
Common Indicator for sound isolation: STC (Sound Transmission Class)
STC ratings indicate how a material can isolate noise going to the opposite side of the sound source. A barrier with a higher STC rating blocks more noise and allows less sound transmission.
2. Application for Sound Reduction
A common sound reduction application is porous and soft, allowing sound waves to be trapped inside. Materials such as foam, fabric, acoustic panels, ceiling tiles, or perforated wall panels are commonly used.
Common Indicator for sound reduction: NRC (Noise Reduction Coefficient)
NRC is a common rating of how much sound an acoustic product can absorb. The rating ranges from 0 to 1. A higher NRC rating means more sound is absorbed to reduce reflection.
3. Application for Reverberation Control
Minimizing the Reverberation:
Canceling reverberation is identical to the category of sound reduction. The more sound absorbed, the less echo generated. This increases speech intelligibility accordingly.
Common Indicator: STI (Speech Transmission Index)
STI is a numeric representation measure of speech transmission quality. It ranges from 0 to 1 and the higher means the speech intelligibility is better. On this scale, an STI of at least 0.5 is desirable for most applications.
Maximizing the Reverberation:
In certain cases, we do not want to cancel the reverberation by absorbing the sound, but we want the reverberation to be as consistent as possible. To achieve this, we need acoustic diffusers to close the gaps between echos. Tiles, wood, fiberglass, plastic, or panels that feature an uneven facing and typically a hollow core are suitable for diffusing sound without decreasing the volume.
Step 4 – Set the Budget
Acoustic design is not a privilege of high-end architecture. There is a wide cost range of materials that have the perfect property to get the job done. In this step, we will explore the options that fit different price levels.
Low Budget:
Find existing objects that you already own or recycled materials that fit the property for the acoustic strategy.
- For sound isolation: thick carpet, thick blanket, bookshelves, and wardrobes.
- For sound reduction: foam, fabric, plants, and furry dolls.
- For maximizing reverberation: covering large walls with furniture will also work as a sound diffuser.
Medium Budget:
Buy certified materials that have been lab-tested will be an efficient way to get a relatively high acoustic performance if you have some budget.
- For sound isolation: mass-loaded vinyl, soundproof sheetrock, and rubber.
- For sound reduction: acoustic panels, ceiling tiles, or perforated wall panels.
- For maximizing reverberation: wood and plastic acoustic diffusers are common and highly adaptable for different sizes.
High Budget:
Hire an acoustic consultant and licensed contractor to perform the work. An acoustic consultant can take the precision to another level by creating an acoustic computation model.
Step 5 – Layout and Positioning
Layout is also crucial in acoustic design. Because It especially affects the desired sound when most of the other treatments deal with the unwanted sound. A well-positioned layout requires equal timing of the reflecting sound from all directions of the space, resulting in a centered or symmetrical layout to position the sound source and the point to experience the sound.
But it is hard in reality to position things in the perfect center of a room. Thus, below is some measures that we can consider.
When the acoustic layout is asymmetrical, apply sound absorption material to the reflective surface that has the most distinct distance.
When the room width and length ratio is over 1:5 apply reverberation control accordingly (see step 3 reverberation control).
Step 6 – Examine the Acoustic properties of the Electronics, Appliances, and Mechanicals
Sometimes we are so used to the sound of the dishwasher, laundry machine, or even the clock, that we forget to consider it. But an individual who is new to the place might notice it immediately. To avoid this situation, there are some points to examine below:
- Identify the noise from the sources as an unwanted sound and use the above strategies accordingly.
- Add a damping mat to isolate vibrations. Some appliances or mechanicals do not make noticeable noise on their own but they create vibrations. The vibration may cause noise when it is conducted through certain materials such as wood floors.
Consider the acoustic property of a product before buying it. Nowadays, manufacturers care about the quietness of their products just like the consumers do. The operating noise of the appliances is often written in the spect. Those quiet window air conditioners are some great examples.
Step 7 – Integration with Design
Create a consistent style:
Clearly define the style you want to achieve. It could be modern, minimalist, or traditional. All acoustic applications should be considered using a related style within the same space.
Use a featured color palette:
Choose a consistent color palette that complements your style. Stick to a few primary colors and their shades to maintain cohesion throughout the space.
Simplify the unnecessary details:
Sometimes, less is more. Edit your acoustic treatments to keep the interior from feeling cluttered. A well-edited space contributes to fewer distractions from unintended details.
Step 8 – Testing and Evaluation
Last but not least, the following points are some useful reminders to create a refined spatial experience. Overall, acoustic design is a dynamic and subjective experience, It should be adjusted by the targeting user. Thus testing and feedback are significant.
- Make sure the materials are not flammable or have fire resentence.
- Make sure the material does not release toxic matter.
- Consider using sustainable materials
- Find improvement after testing out different acoustic combinations.
- Allow different individuals to give feedback on the acoustic experience.
The Acoustic Improvement SOP
Do You need acoustic improvement in your project? The checklist below leads you to a quick evaluation of the acoustic design for your space. It is structured the same way as the content above, so you can always go back to the content and find out more specific information.
| 1. | Identify the Acoustic Goals |
| ☐ ☐ | Enhance desired sound: ___________ e.g., home theater auditory experience Reduce unwanted sound: __________ e.g., street noise, neighbor noise |
| 2. | Select the Acoustic Strategies |
| ☐ ☐ ☐ | If the unwanted sound is external → Sound isolation If the unwanted sound is internal → Sound reduction If you want to adjust the amount of echos → Reverberation control |
| 3. | Acoustic Applications for the Strategies |
| ☐ ☐ ☐ | For sound isolation: Apply high-density materials such as vinyl, soundproof sheetrock, and rubber. For sound reduction and minimizing reverberation: Apply porous and soft materials such as foam, fabric, acoustic panels, or perforated panels. For maximizing reverberation: Create diffusion with reflective, hollow core materials such as wood, fiberglass, and plastic. |
| 4. | Set the Budget |
| ☐ ☐ ☐ | Low Budget: – For sound isolation: thick carpet, – For sound Reduction: foam, fabric – For maximizing reverberation: reduce absorptive objects in room Medium Budget: – For sound isolation: vinyl, soundproof sheetrock, and rubber – For sound Reduction: acoustic panels and perforated panels – For maximizing reverberation: wood and fiberglass diffuser High Budget: – Hire an acoustic consultant and licensed contractor to perform the work. |
| 5. | Layout and Positioning |
| ☐ ☐ ☐ | Position the desired sound source symmetrically in the space Locate the point that is evenly distant to each wall for optimal auditory experience. When the room width and length ratio is over 1:5 apply reverberation control. |
| 6. | Examine the Acoustic properties of the Appliances |
| ☐ ☐ ☐ | Apply the above strategies to reduce the noise from the appliance. Add a damping mat to isolate vibrations. Consider replacing noisy appliances |
| 7. | Integration with Design |
| ☐ ☐ ☐ | Create a consistent style Use a featured color palette Simplify the unnecessary detail |
| 8. | Testing and Refinement |
| ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ | Make sure the materials are not flammable or have fire resentence. Make sure the materials do not release toxic matter. Consider using sustainable materials Find improvement after testing out different acoustic combinations. Allow different individuals to give feedback on the acoustic experience. |
Additional Resources
- NRC Ratings: What is Noise Reduction Coefficient Acoustic Rating?
- Noise Reduction Coefficient vs. Sound Transmission Class Ratings
- A Complete Guide to School Acoustic Design
- QUICK AND EASY WAY TO ESTIMATE REVERBERATION TIME
