The acoustic project

Interventions for acoustic improvement

As anticipated, noise pollution is a problem that cannot be underestimated and for this reason it is necessary to study which is the most suitable intervention in order to counteract the intensity of the noises present in the confined environment. Among the most effective measures we can mention the increase in the thickness of floors and walls through the use of heavy materials (solid bricks) or the interposition of an acoustic insulation between two sections of light material (for example plasterboard). To counteract the noises coming from the outside, it is good to pay particular attention to the windows that must be correctly installed and sealed. It is also optimal to opt for double glazing and take care to insert a sound-absorbing material inside the shutter boxes as they are considered "weak" elements.

In the case of residences located on the top floor of the building, in a particularly busy area, an intervention at the level of the roof could be essential. It will therefore be necessary to apply a thick layer of insulation in correspondence with the attic, combined with a dense material that will form the sound-absorbing panel. If you enjoy the beauty of a sloping ceiling with exposed wooden beams, in order not to sacrifice this aspect by inserting a false ceiling, it will be possible to intervene while maintaining the aesthetics and increasing the acoustic insulation. In this regard, we will proceed on the roof from the outside, replacing the plastic insulation, usually used with roofs of this type, with a wood fiber.

If the acoustic problem is caused by the nature of the floor, it is advisable to opt for a solution aimed at reducing the noise from footsteps. A classic example is parquet, one of the most popular coverings for its warmth and natural aesthetic performance. However, acoustically it is a rigid material that contributes to the propagation of sound. To overcome this inconvenience, it will be good to insert a cork or rubber mat able to muffle the diffusion of the sound produced by footsteps and if possible opt for a floating laying of the parquet.

Example of a cork mat on which the parquet is laid

Another widely used solution for improving sound insulation inside buildings is represented by acoustic panels. The market offers many products: you can choose the panels integrated into the walls, the modules applicable on the floor, or those designed to constitute real false ceilings. In fact, depending on the source from which the noise comes, the panel can be inserted in the most appropriate position to minimize it. In the event that the noises come from above, sound-absorbing false ceilings will be optimal, for footfall noises it is necessary to opt for panels inserted in the floor, while if you want to attenuate the transmission of sounds from one room to another you need to place the modules between the two bordering walls.
The sound-absorbing panels are distinguished in resistive from porous material, those that work by resonance and prevent the propagation of sound, and sound-diffusing panels capable of absorbing sounds at medium-high frequencies.

Additional measures within residential environments can help improve acoustic conditions and promote greater comfort. For example, it is advisable to place some carpets on the ground, choose soundproofed appliances and still install washing machines and dryers on rubber mats that can contain the vibrations that could occur when they are in operation.