Noise Control / Reduction & Acoustics in Singapore & Asia
Many people not just in Singapore but Asia and all across the world suffer from Noise / Sound problems. The symptoms of this maybe loud Noise / Sound entering your room either from the walls, ceilings, floors, windows or doors. Do you suffer from this type of problem? Maybe it’s time to gain back peace in your home or office and look at the different soundproofing techniques available.
So far most people are using contractors to solve their soundproofing problem and to control the noise; however, this is not always the best solution. The materials and advice that we often find has been given out or installed is using old-fashioned solutions that date back to the 1950’s. The principles of Noise Control remain the same Sound Proofing is carried out by using materials or systems that block or create a barrier to sound & noise from entering a specific room or area, which we call encapsulation. The other method is to use materials or systems to absorb the sound or noise in the affected area.
In order to understand further this process, we need give both processes a label.
Sound Proofing / Noise Control is to create a barrier to stop noise entering the space. Acoustic Treatment deals with Noise in the room itself and uses materials or systems that stop reflection noise. Absorption of sound can only be done if the sound is created from inside the area and the absorption is in direct contact.
There are a few methods for measuring noise Standard Transmission Class is one of them, but it is preferred to measure by Decibel as this is also the most accurate measurement and there is no need for calculation to be done; you can use a specific device and measure the sound/noise in dB and know the level.
Often throughout the industry and much of the information you read or have been told will suggest you use foam as a cheap effective way to stop the noise. Think again!
Cheap grade foam is by far the worst material you can use for noise control; it does either little or nothing to stop the sound. Many so-called experts will tell you foam is good but in fact, if you want to use a foam-based product that will perform to the level that you’re looking for the price would be at least $100 per square foot.
Again people also tell you on the net to use vinyl, this is not the case either, vinyl is a material used in paint and also to make records, it has very low absorption rate and very little in the use for stopping sound/noise from penetrating through it.
Here at NoiseBlock, we have the experience to know what we’re doing, we even give you a guarantee. No other company dealing in this area can give you a guarantee that the system or material or product will work. Every week we experience customers calling or email us and asking for help as they have had someone else install the soundproofing and it has not worked.
We go to the site and excavate an area to see what has been used for soundproofing and we found the following being used: Bed Mattress Foam, PC Packing Form, Blue Tac, Carpet, Car Washing Sponge, Seat Cushions, Thermal Insulation, Card Board to name a few.
Done waste your money, if you’re not sure please call us and we can help you make the right choice.
Still to-date people are using methods that were used in the past to combat noise. Many people talk about the construction process some include the staggering the location of doorways. This is only applicable mainly in other countries where buildings have halls or connecting passages. However, it is highly unlikely to be applicable in Singapore or Asia where the construction does not follow this past design. Most structure only has one door entering them so this is of little importance. Further, even if the doors are staggered the Noise will still escape through the entrance. The modern thinking is that noise/sound is like water and will find a way to get past unless sealed correctly.
The use of Mineral Glass Fibre is used often but without proper understanding can cause heat retention, no improvement in sound absorption and is even dangerous to health.
The use of Mineral Glass Fibre in false ceilings in the Air conditioning system is a big no. Using this material is dangerous to heath on the basis that there are very small particles of glass that can then be filtered into the air you breathe which you can imagine the results of breathing this in.
The other problem is knowing your material, often is the case that thermal insulation is being sold as soundproofing noise control materials. Only some types of mineral glass fiber can be used for noise control and you must seek proper test data on any products you by of this type to ensure you have the right material.
Double glazed glass is also described as a soundproofing material, but beware if the thickness of the glass is not enough then effects will be very small. So far in our time with windows, we have not found one window with the correct thickness of double glazed glass for it to be effective. Shutters and Curtains that are not specially designed for noise control should not be used; they will have again very poor results.
Whatever your requirement research, research, and research, you can never do enough of this, we wrote this up to highlight some of the current problems as a result of reading a lot of inaccurate information currently available. Hope this helps you and please do not hesitate to ask more information.