A night out to the concert hall may seem like a great idea. On the way to the hall, there is excitement about the event, the performer, and maybe even the venue. Three hours later, the excitement before the event is dampened and the happy mood has diminished. What happened? It might just be the sound.

Architectural acoustics is the science of designed a building or room to better facilitate sound waves. Sound waves are vibrations, can travel from spot to spot, and certain materials are known as conducing sound while others muffle it. A concert hall is a great example of where architectural acoustics and acoustic building products can play a large role in determining the quality of the performance as perceived by an audience.

Sound paths are crucial to understanding acoustics within buildings. Common sound paths include roofs, eaves, walls, windows, doors, and penetrations. Some materials are known to absorb sound, such as fabric or perforated metal. Acoustic panels can be finished or unfinished. Finished panels can consist of acoustic tile, fabric, or wood.

Here are three common examples where acoustic building products may prove useful.

Noisy City Spaces

Common examples of noisy city spaces include a busy highway, an area where planes fly overhead, and near a set of train tracks. For these spaces, sound insulation panels may be necessary to limit the noise from these external sources.

One option for a sound insulation panel is a foam panel that can be placed along the walls. These can come in different types, such as melamine and polyurethane. Sound isolation wall panels can accomplish the same purpose.

Mechanical Equipment Noise

This area of science focuses on reducing noise from mechanical equipment such as electrical generators, elevators, or HVAC units. The science behind this focuses on noise controlling, noise masking, and vibration isolation.

Common techniques of noise controlling can include putting sound traps in ducts, while vibration isolation means creating isolation systems to trap the vibration. Both involve reducing the sound so that it does not affect the rest of the building.

Concert Halls

To pick up where we left off in the original example, concert halls benefit greatly from the work put into architectural acoustics. One of the first modern applications of architectural acoustics came in Fogg Museum by Wallace Sabine who later applied the techniques he had learned to Symphony Hall.

Many of the acoustic building products used for homes would apply to concert halls. Whether they are acoustic ceiling panels, sound wall panels, or even Armstrong ceiling clouds, the importance of regulating noise and the transferring of sound can demonstrably affect not just a performance but the quality of life within a home.

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