Acoustic Materials and its Application

Question 1

ADVANTAGES
Permanent, rigid, durable; Acoustic properties can be controlled by quantity and quality of holes and sound Absorption value of pads used behind it; Wide range of colours.
DISADVANTAGES
Requires special supporting and attaching systems for ceilings, requires acoustic pads.
MAJOR USES
Ceilings of buildings where acoustic control is
important.

Answer 1

Aluminum

Question 2

ADVANTAGES
Permanent, durable; withstand rough usage; Fire resistant; load bearing
DISADVANTAGES
Can be used only for walls; acoustic pads, when used; become permanent part of the
building.
MAJOR USES
Walls and partition of building where acoustical treatment is important; corridors, sidewalls, auditoriums, theatres, etc

Answer 2

Concrete Block

Question 3

ADVANTAGES
Permanent, durable; withstand rough usage; Fire resistant; load bearing
DISADVANTAGES
Limited acoustical value; can used only for walls; acoustic pad within structural tile becomes permanent part of the building.
MAJOR USES
Walls of buildings where acoustic treatment is important. Generally, corridors

Answer 3

Clay Tile

Question 4

ADVANTAGES
Limited Acoustic Value; easily installed, Flame resistant.
DISADVANTAGES
As acoustic value increases it becomes softer; for ceiling tile is granular in form
with binders and other materials; limited colour selection.
MAJOR USES
Flooring; bulletin, tack and similar boards; ceilings when in tile form.
“Insulate against outside noise and to absorb sound formed within, and to prevent echoes”

Answer 4

Cork

Question 5

ADVANTAGES
Good acoustic value, easily installed, flame resistant, withstands relatively rough usage
DISADVANTAGES
Requires special application, hangers and support
MAJOR USES
Acoustical treatment of office walls and partitions; Also theatres and auditoriums.
“These are sound enhancing or absorbing
materials. Meaning, they alter the sound waves so
that resulting sound is clear and devoid of any noise
or interference.”

Answer 5

Fiberglass

Question 6

ADVANTAGES
Permanent, rigid, durable; Acoustic properties can be controlled by quantity and quality of holes and sound absorption value of pads used behind it; easily painted; wide selection of colours in porcelain enamel type
DISADVANTAGES
Requires special supporting and attaching systems for ceilings, fire resistant depending on pads and supporting system
MAJOR USES
Ceilings of buildings where acoustic control is important.
“The perforated panels, some of which are stand-alone units,
serve as supports for the acoustic mineral wool inside. Sound
waves penetrate the medium through the holes and are
converted into heat.”

Answer 6

Perforated Steel

Question 7

ADVANTAGES
Permanent, rigid, durable; Acoustic properties can be controlled by quantity and quality of holes and sound Absorption value of pads used behind it;
DISADVANTAGES
Requires special supporting and attaching systems for ceilings, fire resistant depending on pads and supporting system
MAJOR USES
Walls requiring acoustical treatment.
“It has acoustic dampening properties, so coated with
plastic, it can be used as a soundproofing treatment to
any room”

Answer 7

Perforated Hardboard

Question 8

ADVANTAGES
Limited acoustic value; easily installed, Flame resistant.
DISADVANTAGES
Soft, will not withstand rough usage; cannot be painted or repainted, no colour selection
MAJOR USES
Ceilings of buildings where some acoustic treatment is important.
“The tightly interwoven fibers and high density
of this material work to reduce the flow of air, and
thereby resist the sound waves it carries. The denser the
insulating material, the more effective it is at dampening
sound.”

Answer 8

Mineral Wool

Question 9

ADVANTAGES
Permanent, durable; roof or floor decking gives ceiling with acoustical value; fire resistant. CP
DISADVANTAGES
Limited acoustic value, cannot be painted and repainted; no colour selection.
MAJOR USES
Ceilings of buildings where some acoustic treatment is important.

Answer 9

Lightweight Concrete

Question 10

ADVANTAGES
Good Acoustic Value; easily installed, Flame resistant.
DISADVANTAGES
Soft, will not withstand rough usage; cannot be painted or repainted, no colour selection
MAJOR USES
Walls, ceilings, doors, and other features of a room to control noise levels, vibration, and echoes.
“The objective of acoustic foam is to improve the
sound quality by removing residual sound in any
space.”

Answer 10

Plastic Foam

Question 11

ADVANTAGES
Good Acoustic Value when draped; Good Acoustical Property. Available perforated to be applied over padding; Easily installed; Can be used on floors, walls or ceilings, wide variety of colours, textures, designs, and thickness
DISADVANTAGES
Require periodic cleaning; relatively easily damaged; have limited life
MAJOR USES
Floors, not only for acoustic treatment but also for comfort and decorative purposes; on walls and ceilings for special types of acoustic treatment.
“Are typically used to either absorb sound or as a cover
for acoustical panels. Some fabrics can also be used as a
speaker grill cloth or as a finish on other types of
materials.”

Answer 11

Carpet