Soundproofing * / Sound Insulation

More than ever before we are experiencing disturbances in our work and personal lives. Diminishing privacy and noise pollution can affect not only our peace of mind but also tension levels, communication between people, and even safety in the workplace.

Condo owners are becoming aware of low EPA and EPC noise standards, allowing easy litigation against sellers and builders for noise levels from adjoining units. (residential is 55 db at night, 60 db during the day) A lack of privacy need not be tolerated.

It is of course much easier to head off the problem during construction rather than correct it (if even possible) after. OSHA is focusing more on noise levels in the work place than ever before. The cost effective solution, is to stop noise problems before they happen.

Today's construction techniques leave much to be desired in these areas. The best acoustic isolation methods (rooms within rooms) are far too costly.  Contrary to common usage, fiberglass, foam insulation, sound board, or extra layers of drywall do little to stop noise transmission. Even a poured concrete or concrete block wall is not a very good sound barrier: Sound is very difficult to stop and solid rigid materials actually tend to transmit sound very well.

While others attempt various ways to stop or absorb sound, Acoustiblok has resolved the problem in a vastly different way. The soft 3mm (1/8") thick Acoustiblok is engineered not to stop or even absorb sound, but through a unique thermodynamic process Acoustiblok transforms the sound energy into trace amounts of inaudible friction energy.

Acoustiblok is made of a proprietary viscoelastic polymer material with a high density mineral content. As sound waves cause the Acoustiblok material to flex, internal friction occurs and the acoustical energy is dissipated into a very small trace amount of heat. The viscoelastic principle is isothermal adiabatic. This is truly a vastly superior method to using massive solid materials for stopping sound transmission. Acoustiblok sound isolation material is 100% recyclable.

Thus one 3mm (1/8") layer of Acoustiblok in a standard stud wall will result in more sound reduction than 12" of poured concrete! (Certified lab results.) A layer of Acoustiblok properly installed on each side of the studs will reduce sound transmission virtually the same as 24" of concrete, and increase the thermal insulation value an amazing 22%!

Recently a concrete block wall using a metal stud and Acoustiblok was tested by a well known NVLAP Certified audio lab. The results were remarkable: "We have never tested a wall assembly that achieved such a high sound transmission loss rating... it even exceeded the testing capabilities of most laboratories!"  Truly a revolutionary material, so revolutionary that it was given the first place award for sound abatement in Britain's House of Commons!

Acoustiblok, is not only an incredible sound isolation product, but can be easily installed without construction changes, special tools, or skilled labor and is U.L. approved for use in 277 fire-rated wall and floor/ceiling configurations (see U.L. Classifications).  Simply cut it with a box knife, staple or screw to studs, and ensure airtightness.

 

Lahnie Johnson is the President & founder of Acoustiblok Inc.  With over 30 years experience in the Aerospace and Audio industries, his passion for inventing solutions to acoustical problems has resulted in the ingenious patents for products Acoustiblok now manufactures. Acoustiblok's committment to research and development produces industry-leading noise abatement solutions recognized and sold throughout the world.

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