Resilient Channels
April 1, 2004
Acoustical Consultants often specify resilient channels to improve the sound isolation of a construction assembly. Sound isolation is the amount of noise the wall or floor/ceiling reduces. Resilient channels are installed perpendicular to the stud or joist. This reduces the
“I Didn’t Know You Did That”
March 1, 2004
If we just had a nickel for every time we hear “I didn’t know you did that!”… Most recently, a very good client was sharing an elevator ride with us and mentioned he needed someone to do an audiovisual system
CSI’s MasterFormat™ 04 and its Impact on Our Work
March 1, 2004
The current status is that late in 2004 the Construction Specifications Institute (CSI) will formally publish the new MasterFormat™ layout. Over the last few years the MasterFormat™ Task Team has been working on the first major update in 38 years.
Quiet Floors
February 1, 2004
Floor systems in multifamily housing are getting thinner and lighter in weight. Both of these work against a successful acoustical design. To overcome this we are constantly looking at and reviewing new products. Something that has caught our eye is
Environmental Acoustics: Is It Noise Or Is It Sound?
March 1, 2000
How loud is too loud? If you have ever dealt with this question, personally or professionally, you know that the answer is difficult to determine. All kinds of factors, from the time of day to personal sensitivity, influence the subjective
Growing Trends in Green Insulation
October 1, 1996
Insulation is all around us. Though we may not pay attention to the different types of insulation, we would certainly notice its absence. The main purpose of this hidden barrier is to secure a building’s interior temperature from the outside
Resilient Channels – How Metal Absorbs Sound Waves
April 1, 1996
Anyone who’s ever shared a wall with someone else has probably wondered if the walls were intentionally thin, or the neighbors intentionally loud. Often the assumption is that the walls between dwellings simply need to be thicker to muffle sound.
Binauralization™ — Now You Can HEAR How it Will Sound BEFORE Construction Starts!
April 1, 1995
How often have you wondered what a room was going to sound like before it was built? How would it sound if the walls were parallel and not canted? Are all of the acoustical room finishes really required? Will there
Tech Notes: Hydraulic Pile Drivers Work Out of a Tight Spot, Quietly
September 1, 1993
Driving piles is typically considered one of the noisiest, most disruptive activities at a construction job site. The increased noise and vibration levels can disrupt ongoing client activity as well as adjacent neighbors. However, new hydraulic pile-driving equipment may change