SERVICES 1B
When it comes to Sound Proofing, you are faced with a myriad options. Starting with just adding some soft furnishings to fully floating isolated environments. Obviously the costs vary wildly. One basically has to do (as always) a Cost Benefit Analysis. What is the objective? What is critical, what is not? What is the budget? Once these questions have been answered, then you can research the options.
We have applied some basic sound proofing for customers over the years. From quieting a bedroom from noisy neighbors, to reducing a music room's outward transmission. With tight budgets, we used dense mineral wool insulation added to the inner surface of the room, which absorbs the noise energy traveling in either direction. Then addressing the windows, by adding another completely independent frame and 6mm glass, to the existing window sets. For the doors found inside, we have to seal them from as much air passage as possible. And of course the density of the door has to be increased. And if space and cost allows, use a double door system. Keep in mind though, you have to be able to breathe. A true isolated room will be air tight. So fresh air supply has to be considered, especially if you are going to have your drummer performing soul sacrifice.
Utilizing soft furnishing inside a room goes a long way to reducing perceived noise. As they will absorb the energy. Likewise, carpet is better than wood or tile inside the room, but tile and wood are denser and will have a better NR level for sound transmission through the structure.
There are two main sides to Sound Proofing. First, stopping noise getting into the space from the outside world. Second, stopping noise getting out, polluting, if you will, the outside world. And of course to what extent do you want to achieve that.
With those two scenarios, you also have to look at noise transmission between two or more interior environments. These could be controlled or uncontrolled environments. For instance, in a home studio, between the live or recording area (controlled) and the living area (uncontrolled). Or between two or more controlled areas, like the vocal booth, the drum booth and the control room.
Lucky for us, engineers have been working on these issues for many years, and thus have created a toolbox full of solutions. The industry has a full set of guidelines for construction companies and studio owners to work with to achieve their goals. NR or Noise Rating (NC - Noise Criterion in US) is used as benchmarks for what is acceptable for different environments. Which is great for us, when we have to address Sound Proofing issues.
Obviously, as with anything, generally, the more you want to achieve the more it is going to cost. So, as stated, it is good to know what the goal ultimately is and what you are willing to pay to achieve that goal.
Ideally, to reach a high level of isolation, you will need a fully floating room. Basically a box inside the Room, box. Where the structure of the inner box sits on isolation pads, and no other part of the structure is in physical contact with the surrounding room structure. A form of this is our Recording Room. The structure of this inner box is made up of a composite of standard building materials. The thicker you can make this wall, floor or ceiling, as-well-as the denser the materials, the better the performance of the overall structure in reducing noise transmission. And that is the goal. Of course we have to understand we are always having to introduce weak spots. These come in the form of doors, windows, wiring access, and HVAC. All needed items in a room that can have any real function. So keep in mind, any system is only as good as the weakest part. And these items will cause your system to fail or grossly underperform if special attention is not applied. These items will also make up a large portion of your budget.
The nice thing we have today is access. The internet gives us so many outlets for solution to just about every problem. We can supply you with a full complex build, or any one individual element. From acoustic door sets, window sets, noise attenuators and absorption panels. You name it.