ACOUSTICS AND

ARCHITECTURE
There are 3 basic
categories of sound absorbers,
namely: porous materials
commonly formed of matted or
spun fibers, panel (membrane)
absorbers having an impervious
surface mounted over an air space,
and resonators, created by holes
connected to an enclosed volume
of trapped air. The absorptance of
each type of sound absorber is
dramatically, in some cases,
influenced by the mounting method
employed.
ACOUSTICS AND
ARCHITECTURE
POROUS MATERIALS
The basic acoustical
characteristics of all porous
materials, such as fiberboards, soft
plasters, mineral wools and isolation
blankets, is a cellular network of
interlocking pores.
Sound absorption in porous
material is more efficient at high than
low frequencies but their acoustical
efficiency improves in the low
frequency range with increased
thickness and with distance from
their solid backing.
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ARCHITECTURE
POROUS MATERIALS
• Prefabricated Acoustical Units
(wallboard and tile board)
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ARCHITECTURE
POROUS MATERIALS
• Acoustical Plaster and
Sprayed-on Materials
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ARCHITECTURE
POROUS MATERIALS
• Acoustical Tile
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ARCHITECTURE
POROUS MATERIALS
• Acoustical Foam
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ARCHITECTURE
POROUS MATERIALS
• Acoustical (isolation) blankets
(wool, glass fiber)
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ARCHITECTURE
POROUS MATERIALS
• Fiberglass
ACOUSTICS
AND
ARCHITECTURE
POROUS MATERIALS
• Fibrous Batts and Blankets
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AND
ARCHITECTURE
POROUS MATERIALS
• Fibrous Boards
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AND
ARCHITECTURE
POROUS MATERIALS
• Fibrous Plank
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POROUS MATERIALS
• Fibrous Spray
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ARCHITECTURE
POROUS MATERIALS
• Insulation (loose)
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AND
ARCHITECTURE
POROUS MATERIALS
• Carpets
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ARCHITECTURE
POROUS MATERIALS
• Curtains and Fabrics
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ARCHITECTURE
PANEL OR MEMBRANE ABSORBER
MATERIALS
Non-perforated panel, or
membrane absorbers represent the
second group of sound absorbing
materials. Impervious material installed on
a solid backing but separated from it by
an air space will act as panel absorber
and will vibrate when struck by sound
waves. The incident sound energy is then
converted to heat. Panels of this sort are
efficient low frequency absorbers.
When selected properly, panel absorbers
balance the somewhat excessive medium
and high frequency absorption of porous
absorbers and room contents.
ACOUSTICS AND
ARCHITECTURE
PANEL RESONATORS
These are built with a
membrane such as thin plywood or
linoleum in front of a sealed air
space generally containing
absorbent material. The panel is
set in motion by alternating
pressure of the impinging sound
wave.
ACOUSTICS AND
ARCHITECTURE
PANEL RESONATORS
Wood and hardwood
panels, gypsum boards,
suspended plaster ceiling, furred-
out plasters, rigid plastic boards,
windows, glazing, wood floors and
platforms and metal plates are of
this type of sound absorption
materials. Porous materials spaced
away from their solid backing also
act as vibrating panel absorbers,
favorably contributing to absorption
at low frequencies.
ACOUSTICS AND
ARCHITECTURE
PANEL RESONATORS
Sound energy is
converted into heat through
internal viscous damping. Panel
absorbers are used where low-
frequency absorption is required
and middle and high-frequency
absorption is unwanted or provided
by another treatment. Panel
absorbers are often used in
recording studios.
Slot-type, divided
cavity resonators ACOUSTICS
are used to control
problem noise AND
reflecting off water
surfaces in
ARCHITECTURE
aquariums,
natatoriums, and VOLUME OR CAVITY RESONATOR
(Helmholtz Resonator)
indoor pools.
The cavity (Helmholtz)
resonators, the third and last group of sound
absorbers, consists of an enclosed body of
air confined walls connected by a narrow
opening (called the neck) to the surrounding
space, in which sound travels. The impinging
sound causes the air in the neck to vibrate,
and the air mass causes the entire
construction to resonate at a particular
frequency. By adjusting neck opening and
cavity dimensions, the unit can be tuned to
resonate at a desired frequency.
 the round surface of the
tubes and the variable
spacing aid in diffracting
sound waves, thus helping
to eliminate the image
and tonal distorting
effects of nearby wall
reflections, especially at
the first reflection points.

ACOUSTICS AND ARCHITECTURE

VOLUME OR CAVITY RESONATOR (Helmholtz Resonator)
A cavity resonator absorbs the maximum energy in a narrow region of low frequency
band. An empty jar or bottle, also act as a cavity resonator; however, its maximum absorption is
confined to a narrow frequency band; that is extremely selective in its absorption.
 VOLUME OR CAVITY
RESONATOR (Helmholtz
Resonator)
Types of Volume or Cavity
Resonators
1. Perforated Resonators
2. Slit Resonators
ACOUSTICS AND
ARCHITECTURE
PREFABRICATED SOUND ABSORBING MATERIALS
Most sound – absorbing tiles and panels are not
sufficiently durable for wall application. For walls, use
fibrous materials with protective open facings (e.g.
perforated or expanded metal, perforated hardboard,
metal slats), fabric covered panels, or shredded-wood
form board. Use membrane – faced or ceramic tile
materials for humid environment such as swimming pool,
kitchens, & locker rooms.
 PREFABRICATED SOUND ABSORBING MATERIALS
Prefabricated Acoustical Units
ACOUSTICS AND 1. Regular perforated tile
2. Fissured tile or panel
ARCHITECTURE 3. Random perforated tile
4. Shredded wood formboard
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ARCHITECTURE
PREFABRICATED SOUND ABSORBING
MATERIALS
Prefabricated Acoustical Units
5. Glass fiber blankets and boards
6. Textured and/or patterned tile or
panel
7. Slotted tile or panel
8. Membrane-faced or ceramic tile
materials
ACOUSTICS AND ARCHITECTURE
PREFABRICATED SOUND ABSORBING MATERIALS
Prefabricated Acoustical Units
9. Smooth spray-on materials (mineral or cellulose fibers)
10. Rough spray-on material
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ARCHITECTURE
PREFABRICATED SOUND
ABSORBING MATERIALS
Suspended Sound-Absorbing
Panels and Units
These units are installed with
all edges and sides exposed; they can
provide extremely high absorption per
sqft. of material because at six surface
will be exposed to sound waves.
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ARCHITECTURE

PREFABRICATED SOUND
ABSORBING MATERIALS
Suspended Sound-Absorbing
Panels and Units
Types of suspended sound-
absorbing panels
1. Parallel
2. Honeycomb
3. Eggcrate
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ARCHITECTURE
PREFABRICATED SOUND ABSORBING
MATERIALS
Transondent Facings
Sound transparent facings (called
transondent) may range from 5 to 50% or
more open area. Facings tend to reduce the
effectiveness of sound absorbing materials by
reflecting high-frequency sound waves. In
general, the lower the percentage of open
area in the facing, the less absorption of high
frequency sound energy.
ACOUSTICS AND ARCHITECTURE

RELATIVE EFFICIENCY OF SOUND ABSORBERS

• Thin porous materials
(convert sound energy into heat by friction)
• Vibrating panels (resonant panels)
(convert sound energy into vibrational energy which is dissipated by
internal damping and radiation)
• Volume resonators
(also called Helmholtz, reduce sound energy by friction at opening and
by inter reflections within cavity)
ACOUSTICS AND
ARCHITECTURE
COMMERCIAL TYPE ACOUSTICAL
MATERIALS
1. Polyurethane Foam sound
absorber
Material: open cell polyurethane
acoustic foam
Pattern: scientifically engineered
pattern designed to absorb the widest
range of frequencies
Features: effectively reduces reflected
noise and reverberation time to
produce safe and enjoyable
surrounding
Application: industrial, commercial,
audio room, residential, sound
recording studios, radio stations, band
rooms, swimming pools, churches,
schools, gun ranges, equipment
enclosure
ACOUSTICS AND
ARCHITECTURE
COMMERCIAL TYPE ACOUSTICAL MATERIALS
2. Melamine foam linear wedges
Material: open cell membrane or polyurethane
Pattern: the linear wedge pattern offers excellent
absorption and allows you to create many different
designs. Install vertically, horizontally, diagonally,
checkerboard as well as create your design
Application: industrial, commercial, audio room,
residential markets. Ceiling, walls, partitions,
sound studio, radio rooms, band rooms, gyms,
swimming pools, gun ranges, mechanical rooms
and enclosures. Thicker wedges are designed for
use in anechoic chambers and test cells.
ACOUSTICS AND
ARCHITECTURE
COMMERCIAL TYPE ACOUSTICAL
MATERIALS
3. Melamine foam sound absorber
Material: open cell melamine acoustical foam
Pattern: convoluted double hump anechoic
wedges
Features: designed for sound absorption in a
wide range of frequencies. Increased surface
absorption area
Application: industrial, commercial, audio
room, residential markets. Ceiling, walls,
partitions, recording studio, radio stations,
board rooms, swimming pools, churches,
schools, gun ranges, enclosures.
ACOUSTICS AND
ARCHITECTURE
COMMERCIAL TYPE ACOUSTICAL
MATERIALS
4. Acoustical Baffles
Material: porous expanded
polypropylene (PEPP), fiberglass free
Pattern: soft-textured beaded surface
Features: economical, multipurpose,
moisture resistant, durable, lightweight
and cleanable
Application: gymnasium, auditoria,
classrooms, music rooms, arenas and
stadia, churches, offices, computer
rooms, restaurants/cafeteria, concert
hall and theaters, gun ranges,
manufacturing plants, machine
enclosures, water treatment plants,
swimming pools, food processing
plants, animal hospitals
ACOUSTICS AND
ARCHITECTURE
COMMERCIAL TYPE ACOUSTICAL
MATERIALS
5. Absorptive/Noise Barrier Quilted
Curtains
Material: acoustical foam or fiberglass
core, faced with quilted aluminized
fabric
Pattern: quilted pattern
Features: effective durable absorber
with mass loaded vinyl barrier option
Application: effective solution to wide
range of noise control problems.
Machinery and work area enclosures,
moisture or humid conditions and
outdoor noise control. Silicone fabric
available for outdoors.
ACOUSTICS AND ARCHITECTURE

COMMERCIAL TYPE ACOUSTICAL MATERIALS

6. Melamine foam composite sound containment system
Material: 1” melamine acoustical foam, bonded to 1/8” thk 1lb/sqft.
Mass loaded noise barrier with ¼” melamine foam vibration decoupler
Pattern: convoluted or flat surface pattern
Application: ideally suited to line equipment enclosure. Commonly
used to line walls and ceilings of utility or mechanical rooms to absorb
and contain the noise source. Use where sound absorption, noise
reduction and vibration control are needed.
ACOUSTICS AND
ARCHITECTURE
COMMERCIAL TYPE ACOUSTICAL
MATERIALS
7. Hanging Acoustical Baffles
Material: bonded acoustical pad (BAP),
recyclable, fiberglass free
Pattern: soft textured surface
Features: economical, multipurpose,
high performance, durable, lightweight
Application: gymnasium, auditoria,
classrooms, music rooms, arenas and
stadia, churches, offices, computer
rooms, restaurants/cafeteria, concert hall
and theaters, gun ranges, manufacturing
plants, machine enclosures, water
treatment plants
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ARCHITECTURE
COMMERCIAL TYPE ACOUSTICAL
MATERIALS
8. Low frequency sound
absorber/insulator
Material: 1.2lb density, recycled bonded
acoustical cotton fiber
Pattern: soft gray, ideal behind acoustical
fabric, perforated or slotted panel surface
Features: exceptionally good low
frequency absorption
Application: industrial, architectural or
audio applications, machinery and
mechanical rooms. For harsh noisy
environment that require high performance
low frequency reduction. Above acoustical
ceiling grids systems. User-friendly
alternative to glass fiber insulation
ACOUSTICS AND
ARCHITECTURE
COMMERCIAL TYPE
ACOUSTICAL MATERIALS
9. Sound Deadening, sound
absorbing, insulating, low cost
Material: recycled wood fiber
residue
Application: acoustical board
can be used as flooring
underlayment or as damping
layer between studs and
gypsum boards to improve sound
transmission class (STC)
ACOUSTICS AND
ARCHITECTURE
COMMERCIAL TYPE ACOUSTICAL
MATERIALS
10. Porous expanded polypropylene (PEPP)
acoustical wall
Material: semi-rigid porous expanded
polypropylene acoustical bead foam (PEPP)
Pattern: non-abrasive, slightly textured, porous
Features: lightweight, impact-resistant,
moisture and bacteria and fungi-resistant,
tuckable surface, UV stable
Application: gym, auditoria, swimming pools,
arenas, food processing plants, food
preparation areas, cafeterias, restaurants,
manufacturing plants, car washes, rooftop and
machine enclosure, gun ranges, dog kennels,
locker rooms
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ARCHITECTURE
COMMERCIAL TYPE ACOUSTICAL
MATERIALS
11. Sailcloth and vinyl encapsulated
acoustical baffles
Material: fiberglass core encapsulated in
polyvinyl chloride film or sailcloth
Pattern: plain type A or Type B mounting
Features: cost effective, lightweight, high
acoustical performance, moisture and
chemical resistant
Application: any large area where noise
and reverberation needs to be reduced.
Gymnasiums, community centers, sports
arena, swimming pools, factories, animal
hospitals, food processing plants, large
open areas
ACOUSTICS AND
ARCHITECTURE
COMMERCIAL TYPE ACOUSTICAL
MATERIALS
12. Polyurethane foam composite
sound containment system
Material: polyurethane acoustical foam
bonded to 1 lb/sqft mass loaded vinyl
noise barrier with polyurethane foam
vibration decoupler
Pattern: flat surface
Application: ideally suited to line
equipment enclosures. Commonly used
to line wall and ceilings of utility or
mechanical rooms to absorb and contain
the noise source. Use where sound
absorption, noise reduction and vibration
control are needed.
ACOUSTICS AND COMMERCIAL TYPE
ARCHITECTURE ACOUSTICAL MATERIALS
13. Bonded Acoustical Pad (BAP)
Application: ideally suited to
schools, gym, cafeterias,
classrooms, churches, multipurpose
rooms, community centers and
more.
ACOUSTICS AND
ARCHITECTURE
COMMERCIAL TYPE ACOUSTICAL
MATERIALS
14. Acoustical Cotton Fiber Composite
Panel-Sound Absorber
Material: bonded acoustical pad, recyclable,
fiberglass free, high- density fiber
Pattern: soft textured surface, foil on one side
Features: economical, multipurpose, high-
performance absorption combined with STC
value
Application: gymnasium, auditoria,
classrooms, music rooms, arenas and stadia,
churches, offices, computer rooms,
restaurants/cafeteria, concert hall and theaters,
gun ranges, manufacturing plants, machine
enclosures, water treatment plants
ACOUSTICS AND
ARCHITECTURE
COMMERCIAL TYPE
ACOUSTICAL MATERIALS
15. Ceiling tiles
Melamine foam ceiling tiles are
excellent choice for controlling
sound reverberation within variety
of rooms. These are available in
plain face or width several bevels
cut into the panel. It can be used
to form unique visual patterns in
the ceiling. Their sound absorption
is much greater than standard
ceiling tiles.
ACOUSTICS AND
ARCHITECTURE
COMMERCIAL TYPE
ACOUSTICAL MATERIALS
16. Loose fill insulation
Consist of loose fibers or
granules and is made from
cellulose fiberglass, rock wool,
cotton or other materials.