Architectural Acoustics

High Performing Floor, Ceiling And Wall Systems For Acoustically Driven Designs

A successful Architectural Acoustics solution significantly reduces unwanted noise in the built environment. By containing unwanted sound and vibrations within a space or by isolating a space from an outside unwanted noise, architectural soundproofing works.

When addressing the acoustics for a project there are 2 main sources of unwanted noise to consider. Sound transferring from room to room or from the outside can cause a sound level that is difficult to live with. The second main source of unwanted noise are vibrations from impact travelling through the structure.

We can measure how well an assembly controls noise and vibration using STC (Sound Transmission Class) and IIC (Impact Isolation Class). It is important to understand how the ratings work and how to use them properly. See below for additional information on STC and IIC.

As engineering techniques and materials have improved over the years, our structures have become lighter. The spaces within them are used more efficiently. 

Steve Nash Fitness Centre Floating Floor Installation
Steve Nash Fitness Centre Floating Floor Installation

This progress is making our built environments greener and healthier and has allowed us to increase density in cities. It has created new problems and increased the likelihood of noise and vibration transfer that we need to address.

Acoustic Challenges Of Mass Timber Construction
The next major change in our industry is the large scale adoption of mass timber construction. Products such as cross laminated timber (CLT), nail laminated timber (NLT), glulam and other engineered and composite timber systems can have a negative affect on the environment. Using materials such as CLT is a greener alternative to concrete, but it is also a considerably less dense building material.

The STC and IIC values of floor, wall and ceiling assemblies for mass timber building designs are lower than in concrete structures. Noise control design and planning used to only focus on certain spaces like theatres, concert halls or gyms. However, it has now become a part of the standard process.

With Vibra-Sonic Architectural Acoustics specialists on your team we will be up to this challenge.

The Right Architectural Acoustics Product With Expert Support

To achieve good acoustic design, it is important to follow key steps.
To start, it is very important to select the best product to meet your needs. Working with an acoustical consultant, you’ll get the best option solutions for your noise issues.

From there, correct installation is crucial for the selected product. This is so the paths’ vibrations can follow through a structure to be identified and isolated. This allows vibrations in paths to be recognized and separated within a structure.

At Vibra-Sonic we pride ourselves on our excellent support for every product we sell with highly experienced in house staff. We work closely with the acoustical engineering support team from the manufacturers that have many successful projects around the world.

Representing The Best In The Industry

Vibra-Sonic is proud to represent 2 of the industry leaders and innovators in architectural acoustics: Mason Industries and Regupol Acoustics.

With best in class noise solutions for floors, walls and ceilings, we have you covered. From floating concrete slab systems to acoustics isolation clips for walls and ceilings we have a solution to meet your needs. Our solutions use different acoustic materials. They act as an acoustic insulator for sound absorption, background noise reduction and improved sound quality.

Mason Industries has been perfecting vibration isolation systems for over 60 years. They were the first to introduce jack up floating isolation slabs to the market in 1965.

With a focus on products to meet the most demanding specifications, Mason industries is a true industry leader. Their products include spring and LDS rubber architectural isolation systems with floor mounts, wall sway braces, and hangers for drop ceiling systems.

Regupol Acoustics brings their over 65 years of experience in sustainability into every product they make by using recycled rubber. They invented the original technology to recycle rubber tires into rubber flooring. Regupol has evolved this technology to manufacture flooring, multi-purpose surfaces, acoustic underlayments and specialty sound absorbing products.

Floating concrete slab system
Floating concrete slab system

Regupol Acoustics has eco-friendly products certified by Green Circle, earning LEED points. Our lab-tested products guarantee high IIC and STC ratings. This gives you confidence in the performance of your projects.

Between these 2 leaders in building acoustics, we can provide your next project with the full spectrum of architectural acoustic options.

STC and IIC
Sound Transmission Class (or STC) is an integer rating of how well a building partition attenuates airborne sound. Widely used across North America.
ASTC, or Apparent Sound Transmission Class, resembles it, but it relies on field tests and incorporates flanking as a variable.

Impact Isolation Class (or IIC) is, in basic terms, a measure of how well a floor/ceiling assembly can mitigate the sound heard in one room from an impact made on a floor in the space directly above.

OUR PURPOSE
Vibra-Sonic Control technical experts design solutions that control noise and vibration resulting from mechanical equipment, environmental or human sources. This enables our customers to avoid risk and costly impact to productivity, privacy or quality of life.

Learn more about who we are and what we do.

Glossary

LDS stands for Low Dynamic Stiffness AASHTO Bridge Bearing Natural Rubber to minimize noise and vibration transmission. Maximum Dynamic Stiffness is 1.4.

STC stands for Sound Transmission Class, which is a single-number rating of a material’s ability to resist sound transfer. The higher the STC rating the more noise is blocked.

Air Gaps – When dealing with monolithic building components such as a solid concrete, creating an air gap raises the STC significantly more than adding mass.

INR stands for Impact Noise Rating, which is single-number rating of the material’s ability to resist the transfer of impact noise. The higher the INR rating the better the impact noise blocking.

Impact Isolation Class, IIC, measures how well a building floor lessens impact sounds, such as footsteps. A larger number means more attenuation. The scale, like the decibel scale for sound, is logarithmic.

Jack-Up Floating Floor System Product Line

Jack-Up Floating Floor System Product Line
FSN – LDS Jack-Up Mount
FS – Spring Jack-Up Mount
RISFD – Rubber in Shear Floor Damper
P7 – PVC Foam
NS – Closed Cell Neoprene Sponge for Perimeter Isolation
RISI – Rubber in Shear Floor Damper with Base Foot Insert Assembly for FS-C Castings
CFD – Floor Drain
SFFS – Seismic Floating Floor Snubber
MFS – Spring Mounting for Wooden Floors on Sleepers
CC – Gun and Pouring Grade Caulking Compounds
Form-work Floating Floor System Product LIne
EAFM – LDS Mount
WFD – Welded Drains
P7 – PVC Foam
NS – Closed Cell Neoprene Sponge for Perimeter Isolation
CC – Gun and Pouring Grade Caulking Compounds

Suspended Ceilings Product Line

30NCC – Precompressed 30N Hanger with Ceiling Channel Clamp
W30N – Precompressed 30N with Eye Bolts
W30NCC – Precompressed 30N Hanger with Top Eye Bolt and Ceiling Channel Clamp
30CC – Precompressed 30 Hanger with Ceiling Channel Clamp
W30 – Precompressed 30 Hanger with Eye Bolts
W30CC – Precompressed 30 Hanger with Eye Bolt and Ceiling Channel Clamp
30CSCH – Compact Spring Ceiling Hanger with Precompressed 30 Series Springs
W30SM – Side of Joist, or Wall, Hanger with Precompressed 30 Series Spring and Eye bolt
30SMCC – Side of Joist, or Wall Hater with Precompressed 30 series Sprigs and Ceiling Channel Clamp
HDCC – Double Deflection LDS Rubber Element with Ceiling Channel Clamp
WHD – Double Deflection LDS Rubber Element with Upper Attachment Hole and Eye Bolt
WHR – Minimal 0.2” Deflection LDS hanger for Wire Attachment Freq 12 Hz
WHDCC – Double Deflection LDS Rubber Element with Upper Attachment Hole and Ceiling Channel Clamp
CRCH – Compact Ceiling Hanger with Double Deflection LDS Rubber Element
WHDSM – Side of Joist, or Wall, Hanger with Double Deflection LDS Rubber Element and Eye Bolt
HDSMCC – Side of Joist, or Wall, Hanger with Double Deflection LDS Rubber Element and Ceiling Channel Clamp

Isolated Walls Product Line

NPS – LDS Rubber Partition Supports
DNSB – Wall Braces
WIC – Space Saving Type W Neoprene Pad Interlocking Clip
WCL – Channel Shaped Sway Brace for Horizontal Steel Furring
SWW – Sheet Metal and 2-Layer W Pad Wall Support
AB-716 – Angle Bracket Supports for Walls

Pipe Seals

SWS – 12” Long Split Pipe Seal for Wall, Floor and Ceiling Isolation
SPS – 4” Long Spool Pipe Seal for Wall, Floor and Ceiling Isolation

Building Isolation Product Line

BBNR – Rubber Isolation Bearings
SLFJ – Hydraulically Adjusted Spring Isolator
SLFJS – Hydraulically Adjusted Spring Isolator with Downstop
SLFPC- Precompressed Spring Assembly
SLRJ – Hydraulically Adjusted Spring Isolators