One of the most common – if not the most common – complaints about a building project, whether it’s a new-build or an extension, is noise. The transfer of noise from one dwelling place to another can be a big deal, and this noise can come from both outdoors and indoors, within the dwelling itself and from one room to another. Poorly-designed acoustics should certainly be avoided if you are planning an extension or a new structure, and in Building Regulations Part E, you are required to offer noise protection for adjoining structures (semis, flats, and terraces) as well as offer better sound transmission within the structure itself. If you would like to limit noise and enhance sound insulation for your extension or new structure, according to many experts like this miami insulation crew, here’s what you can do.
- To cancel noise from one room to another
If you would like to improve internal acoustics and cancel noise from one room to another, you should choose better materials for your party floors and walls when it comes to your internal partitions. This is where acoustic panelling comes in. You can also have a closer look at a particular standard such as the Saint-Gobain’s standard, which has come up with a standard for multi-comfort that combines both air quality and energy efficiency with acoustic standards. Of course, Saint-Gobain’s sells insulation like Cellular Glass Pipe Insulation, sound insulation, etc., but their idea of the multi-comfort standard has proven quite effective for many homes and structures.
- To address noise and ventilation
Another thing you can do is install an MVHR system, or mechanical ventilation with heat recovery system, especially if your dwelling or structure is built in a location that is noisy, such as near a motorway, a flight path, and so on. The MVHR system eliminates the need for trickle vents, and it can effectively separate external and internal spaces. The system works with the pumping of air throughout the structure or house, and this is done with ducting. The ducting can act as a pathway of noise between rooms, but if you are to install the MVHR system, you should make sure that the ducts are short and do not run through many corners, either. Also, if you have a more complex and longer layout, you would need to have a larger central fan, although this can be noisier as well. Professionals in air duct cleaning Los Angeles says to make sure to get the ducts cleaned regularly too. You can call duct cleaning Melbourne for that.
- The proper selection of materials
As already mentioned, your choice in materials can affect noise and sound insulation in your property, and this is a fact confirmed by sound testing experts such as The Building Compliance Team. What you can do, therefore, is pay close attention to your choices of material so you can significantly address your sound insulation and noise concerns. One other thing you should do is pay attention to your interior design.
For instance, an open plan layout is great because it combines kitchens with living areas and so on, but it is not so appealing when the noise of your dishwasher competes with the television, that is why you need to choose high quality appliances like the Euronics dishwasher.
You may also want to avoid hard flooring surfaces, especially since internal rooms can sound like an echo chamber, and you may want to avoid installing downlights in the ceiling as they can serve as a pathway for the penetration of noise from one floor to another.