Sound Proofing

When choosing the best operable partitions for your facility, no factor is more important than sound proofing.

Hufcor has decades of experience in manufacturing operable partitions with outstanding sound proofing performance. We've put together the following information about sound proofing, and getting the best sound control from your operable partitions.

• Understanding the Acoustics of Operable Walls
• How Much Sound Proofing Do We Need?
• Getting the Sound Proofing You Need - A Checklist

Understanding the Acoustics of Operable Walls

What's the difference between a sound barrier and sound absorber?
Typical barriers made of hard, dense material may actually increase the echoes in the room, while absorbent batts of insulation allow sound to pass through as if they weren't there. Generally speaking, you can't use a barrier to absorb sound, and you can't use an absorber to block sound.

• Sound proofing controls sound transmission loss and sound absorption
  
  
• Some sound waves reflect off the partition surface, remaining in
  the room
  
  
• Some sound waves are absorbed by the partition material
  
  
• Some sound waves are transmitted to the other side
  
  
• Architectural sound proofing controls sound volume and duration
  
  
• Sound follows the path of least resistance - If there are leaks in the surrounding construction, even the best movable partitions won't provide good sound barriers
  
  
• Shoddy building construction, customary construction practices or poor partition installation can all contribute to sound leaks
  
  
• Hufcor conducts stringent laboratory tests to ensure we only manufacture partitions that meet our highest acoustical performance standards
  
  

How Much Sound Proofing Do We Need?

You can work out the amount of sound proofing you'll need by determining the functions of a room and the materials used in each room.

What will your rooms be used for?

The intended use of your building or room partly determines the amount of sound proofing you need. For example, an accordion partition dividing a science classroom from a student lab doesn't need as much sound proofing as an operable partition between hotel meeting rooms. Offices near a noisy corridor will need nearly as much sound proofing as a child day care centre next to a place of worship.

What will be the level of ambient noise?

Although 'sound proofing' is a commonly used term, there is actually no such thing as 'sound proof'. A room will always have some sort of ambient or background noise. However, you can use ambient noise to your advantage. For example, the offices near a noisy corridor may have their own background noises, such as the constant hum of computers, or the whooshing sound of an air-conditioning system. These offices can seem quieter because background sounds partially mask the outside noise.

What types of materials will be used in the room?

A room's building materials and furnishing can either absorb or reflect sound. Ideally they will do some of both. The walls, floors, ceiling and doors should block sound passing through. Soft furnishings like carpet, drapes, wall hangings, etc. will reduce unwanted sound reverberation. In rooms where it's difficult to include adequate soft decor, such as gyms or hospital rooms, other barriers may be needed to offset echoes or extra loudness.

Getting the Sound Proofing You Need - A Checklist

Ready to select movable partitions for your building? Use this checklist to choose the Hufcor partitions with the best sound proofing for your space.

• 1Examine the surrounding areas and the ambient noise of your space, e.g. off a busy corridor, room in a café, etc.
  
  
• 2When sound proofing is critical or existing construction is in question, hire an independent acoustician
  
  
• 3Take necessary steps during design and construction to avoid sound leaks
  
  
• 4If sound leaks are unavoidable, specify a realistic STC for the partitions, balancing it with the surrounding construction. What is an STC?
  
  
• 5Select the appropriate type of partition: Operable, Accordion or Glass Wall
  
  
• 6Make sure the partitions are installed by qualified, professional installers. Hufcor can arrange professional installation
  
  
• 7Utilise top and bottom mechanical seals to ensure your partitions move easily and create a positive acoustical seal
  
  
• 8Make sure all your staff are fully trained to move, store and adjust your partitions properly.