Insulation

Facts About Acoustic Insulation

Acoustic insulation reduces, absorbs 'sound' for families

(NAPS) - Now hear this: excessive noise is more than merely annoying. It can lead to grumpiness, lack of sleep, tension within the family and irritability on the job.

Absorb and Dampen Sound Waves

One of the most economical ways to reduce sound is to install fiber glass acoustic insulation in your walls. Acoustic insulation absorbs and dampens sound waves. This raises the Sound Transmission Class (STC) rating. An STC rating is a number used to characterize the sound insulation value of a partition.

How High Should STCs Be?

Recommended STCs depend on the particular type of room. For example, for bedrooms, an STC of 48 to 55 is good and above 55 is excellent. Living rooms should be a couple of points higher; bathrooms and kitchens up to five points higher.

Building Toward Higher STCs

While installing insulation alone can raise the STC rating, further improvement can come from using resilient channels between drywall and studs or joists. Properly installed resilient channels will break the vibration path which can help reduce sound transmission.

Listen To The Experts

In terms of STC rating, it makes no difference whether you use fiber glass or cellulose insulation, suggest the experts at the North American Insulation Manufacturer's Association (NAIMA).