New Partnership Announcement – Tech Materials

Posted on by Natalie Adams

ARCACOUSTICS is excited to announce a new partnership with Tech Materials in the UK, working to distribute innovative interior acoustic products to both Canadian and US markets.

The partnership is founded on ARCACOUSTICS experience of delivering best in class acoustic solutions and exceptional customer service with Tech Materials innovative range of acoustic products and manufacturing capabilities. While Tech Materials will continue to develop design-led acoustic solutions, ARCACOUSTICS will be the exclusive distributor and point of contact for all activity in both the US and Canadian markets.

Tech Materials and ARCACOUSTICS new venture will help accelerate the design of both acoustic solutions and products in the UK, Canada and USA by combining skills, design trends and manufacturing innovations.

Please contact sales@arcacoustics.com for any projects you would like to discuss in Canada or USA or visit the Products Page.

Use Regupol Sound Underlayments to Reduce Impact Noise

Posted on by Natalie Adams

Prolonged exposure to external noise can be more than a minor annoyance. It can have a dire impact on the health, well-being and productivity of the occupants of any building.

Impact noise occurs when two objects collide. Examples include footsteps or the sound of an object hitting the floor. It is therefore essential to soundproof floors in order to reduce harmful levels of impact noise.

The Regupol Sonus Impact Sound Underlayments are high-performance acoustic rubber underlayments designed to reduce the passage of impact transmission in any area where reduction of impact noise is desired.

Benefits

  • Compatible with all floor finishes and used in a variety of finished floor settings including apartments condos, dormitories, classrooms and hospitals
  • Easily installed under hard surface floors including ceramic tile and stone, carpet and carpet tile and hardwood flooring
  • Crush resistant, durable

Features

  • Made from 100% post-consumer waste (recycled SBR tire rubber)
  • Certified by GreenCircle, potentially qualifying for up to 8 LEED points
  • Offering the highest levels of impact insulation class (IIC) sound dampening in the industry
  • Backed by over 200 independent laboratory and field tests including ASTM ratings and UL classifications
  • Available in thicknesses of 2mm, 3mm, 5mm, 6mm, 10mm, 12mm, & 15mm+

To learn more about this universal standard in acoustical underlayment, contact us today.

Phone: 877-337-9312
Email: info@arcacoustics.com

ARCACOUSTICS Offers Highest STC-Rated Studio Doors

Posted on by Natalie Adams

If you’re looking to make your studio a true sound oasis, you’ll need a complete acoustical design to achieve optimum noise reduction. After all, sound has a way of finding the weakest link in the room and travelling directly through it.

If this happens to be a door, then all other efforts to create a genuine soundproofing system will fail.

Doors play a key part in a studio’s noise levels and must be treated acoustically. As part of our first-rate soundproofing solutions, ARCACOUSTICS offers studio-quality acoustic steel doors and sliding glass doors with sound transmission class (STC) values of 56-65.

Soundproof Acoustic Steel Doors

Soundproof Acoustic Steel Doors

Acoustic steel doors are an essential element to acoustically treating spaces that require excellent soundproofing—like studios.

ARCACOUSTICS is proud to offer SoundProof Windows Inc.’s Acoustic Steel Doors, with an STC value of 56 (the highest STC rating of any 1.75″ thick acoustical door in the industry). These have been designed to work better than other manufacturers’ acoustic steel doors and provide a number of additional benefits:

  • No need for special locksets
  • 3″ wider than other manufacturers’ doors
  • More durable (three stainless steel cam lift hinges)
  • Design preserves double-wall sound isolation for much better acoustic seal
  • Frame and accessories included (full steel, partitioned window and full view glass options available including all gaskets and seals)

Soundproof Studio Sliding Glass Doors

Soundproof Studio Sliding Glass Doors

ARCACOUSTICS’ Sliding Glass Doors by Soundproof Windows Inc. offer excellent soundproofing while maximizing space. As the industry standard and a favourite amongst top studio designers, these recording studio doors offer several benefits:

  • Available in multi-panel telescoping configurations, allowing for huge openings for moving large equipment in and out without having to remove any door panels
  • Exceptionally high STC values of up to 65, surpassing those of most solid doors
  • Can be mounted over a swing door if the door swings away from the sliding glass door for higher STCs
  • Maximum use of the area as there is no space consumed by the door swing

Studio Noise Levels

As a potential area for sound leakage, doors play a key part in a studio’s noise levels and must be treated acoustically. Through the use of soundproof acoustic doors, ARCACOUSTICS can help solve your studio noise problems.

Contact us today.

Phone: 877-337-9312
Email: info@arcacoustics.com

Where Should I Locate Bass Traps

Posted on by Natalie Adams
What are Bass Traps

Bass Traps are sound absorbing acoustic products designed to absorb low frequency energy and convert it into heat rather than sound. Bass Traps are commonly used in recording studios, music studios, and home theaters.

Different Types of Bass Traps

Bass Traps aren’t all the same, they can be made out of different materials and different facing designs which affect the acoustic performance of the bass traps differently. Resonating absorbers need to be mechanically tuned to resonate in symphony with the frequencies being absorbed. Porous absorbers do not resonate, do not need to be tuned, tend to be smaller in size and are less expensive. Porous absorbers tend to be made out of foam, mineral wool and fiberglass and use friction to slow down the air particles that come along with the sound waves converting the sound energy into heat.

Location of Bass Traps

The type of frequency that needs to be controlled in media rooms and studios is low frequency, as smaller rooms don’t handle low frequencies very well and don’t allow for accurate sound reproduction.

It is commonly known that bass traps should be located at the corners of rooms. The reason why is that soundwaves have the maximum velocity at the corners of rooms, therefore bass traps should be placed in the corners, as displayed in figure 1, in order to absorb the most sound energy possible. It is important to note that it is not necessary to have floor-to-ceiling bass traps along the corners, you may only place two in each corner or decide to only treat two corners, in which case the two closest to the speakers should be treated.

By placing your bass traps in the corners of the room you can most effectively reduce low frequency waves from converting into sound and disrupting the quality of the audio.

Are Bass Traps enough to treat the space?

Depending on the distance from the wall, you might need to consider treating other areas of the room. If the room is large enough where the walls are far away, sound absorbing panels should be placed on the wall to also absorb some sound energy. Leaving an airgap between the acoustic panel and the wall will also help absorb low frequencies.

In addition, regular sound absorbing panels can be placed at the corners of the room where the wall meets the ceiling, as seen in figure 2. This will also help control the low frequencies of the room.

It is more effective to treat all wall-wall-floor or wall-wall-ceiling corners of the room, rather than the wall-to-ceiling corners. This is not always a viable option if the additional floor space is needed.

Bass Traps may reduce the liveliness or ambience in the space as they also absorb some of the medium and high frequencies in the space. To solve this problem bass traps are available surfaced with a reflective material with slots. The reflective material reflects back the higher frequencies while the slots allow for the absorption of low frequencies, achieving higher quality sound reproduction.

Another solution is to place diffusers (only if there is at least 10 feet of space between the back wall and the listening position), reflectors and/or broadband absorbing panels. Ceiling clouds are also an option to reflect sound off the ceiling.

Where Can I Get All These Products?

ARCACOUSTICS offers a number of product lines that include different types of bass traps, sound absorbing panels, sound reflecting panels, diffusers and many more acoustical products. We’d be happy to discuss your application with you and help you create the acoustic environment you desire. Contact us for all your interior architectural acoustical and building noise control needs.

Figure 1: Bass Traps in the Corners

BassTraps in Corners

Figure 2: Acoustic Wall Treatments

Acoustic Wall Treatments

STC, IIC, DELTA IIC…What’s this all about?

Posted on by Natalie Adams

As a home owner, or if you’re new to the industry and acoustics, the acronyms STC, IIC and DELTA IIC may not mean a lot to you. These acronyms are industry standards that identify sound ratings and are very useful in determining not only the severity of the noise in the space or the noise generated from a source, but it is also key to determining the effectiveness of acoustic solutions.

STC – Sound Transmission Class

STC is used to determine airborne sound transmission loss for frequencies between 125 and 4,000 Hz. These frequencies cover most of the typical noises we would hear such as televisions, radios, animals, speech, cars, etc… The higher the STC rating the greater the effectiveness of a material or construction to reduce the transmission of airborne sound. In essence, the objective is to achieve noise reduction, by using materials with a high STC rating in order to block some of the sound energy.

For example, the STC rating of a basic wall with a single layer of drywall on each side is 35-38, once treated with acoustic materials the wall could achieve an STC of 60 or more, virtually eliminating the airborne noise transmitted through the wall.

Acoustic treatments to improve STC ratings include sound isolation clips, noise barriers such mass-loaded vinyl, acoustic underlayments, acoustic panels and many more depending on the space and application.

IIC – Impact Insulation Class

IIC is used to determine the amount of impact noise isolation. As the STC rating, IIC tests measure sounds between 125 to 4,000 Hz but in this case it measures the amount of vibrations that travel through the floor/ceiling assembly. The higher the IIC rating, the more effective the floor or ceiling assembly is at isolating vibrations and at absorbing impact sound, such as steps from someone walking on the floor above.

For example, the IIC of a basic wood sub-floor with no resilient underlayment is between 40-45 IIC. Once treated with a sound impact underlayment the construction could achieve an IIC of 70. This results in a very significant reduction of the vibrations being transferred through the structure, with a corresponding reduction in noise.

Acoustic solutions to increase IIC ratings include sound isolation clips, impact sound underlayments, and other anti-vibration materials.

DELTA IIC (ΔIIC)

Delta IIC rating shows what the product adds to the assembly in terms of impact sound isolation. It is the difference between the total IIC achieved once the construction is acoustically treated and the IIC the material has prior to being acoustically treated. For example, If the floor construction has an IIC of 40 and once an impact sound underlayment is added the construction achieved an IIC of 70, then the Delta (change) IIC is 30.

This rating isn’t used very often; reason being is that most company’s use IIC to demonstrate a higher reduction rating. Delta IIC is the best rating to consider when comparing the impact sound performance of different materials as it doesn’t allow for misleading results; it provides the IIC rating of the product rather than of the entire assembly.

ARCACOUSTICS provides an extensive line on acoustic materials with exceptional noise reduction capabilities. Our experts in acoustics and noise control offer complete architectural and interior building noise control products and systems. We continuously serve acoustic solutions to a number of markets providing added visual and acoustic aesthetics to environments. Our objective is to improve individual comfort levels and increase productivity, through the improvement of STC and IIC ratings.

As the responsible company ARCACOUSTICS™ strives to be, we work with the best manufacturers in order to provide our clients with the foremost acoustic products for a variety of applications. In conjunction with our manufacturers we work hard to ensure we not only meet our clients requirements but we exceed their expectations through excellent customer service, design, and acoustic results.

Demonstration of Vibration Isolation

Posted on by Natalie Adams

Regupol® Vibration Isolation Materials are ideal for isolating machinery/equipment and buildings from external vibration sources. Regupol® serves as a spring and damper due to its dynamic characteristics.

Regupol® Vibration materials offer low natural frequencies which are constant over wide load ranges and can be installed in multiple layers. Regupol® Vibration is available in 8 unique types, each engineered for a specific load range, and available in either rolls or sheets.

The video below demonstrates the effectiveness of Regupol® Vibration Isolation Materials of reducing structure-borne and airborne sound.

Airborne Noise

When the wind-up music box is held without touching the table the sound it produces can be considered to be at a medium level. Without touching the table the sound we hear is airborne noise.

Airborne and Structure-borne Noise

When the wind-up music box is placed on the table the sound it produces increases significantly as not only is the sound tranfered through the air but it is now also being transfered through the structure (the table).

Elimination of Structure-borne Noise

When Regupol® Vibration Isolation Material is placed below the wind-up music box it eliminates structure-borne sound by placing a damper between the noise source and the table. We just hear airborne sound.

Reduction of Airborne Noise

Finally, when a noise enclosure lined with noise absorbing material is placed over the wind-up music box placed on the Regupol® Vibration Isolation Material airborne noise transference is reduced.

In conclusion, through the use of Regupol® Vibration Isolation Materials and a Noise Enclosure significant reduction of airborne and structure-borne noise tranference can be achieved.

See the video below for a demonstration on Reducing Airborne and Structure-borne noise using Regupol Sound and Vibration Isolation Materials.

How to Install a Horizontal Sliding Soundproof Window

Posted on by Natalie Adams

Acoustic window treatments are an important step of soundproofing a room as they allow sound to travel back and forth with little resistance.

Through the use of Soundproof Windows sound levels can be drastically reduced either using your existing windows or in addition to a new exterior window.

There are many benefits to using Soundproof Windows. In addition to noise reduction, they insulate and stop drafts leading to reduced energy costs from heating/cooling. This makes soundproof windows very appealing not only to homeowners but also to developers.

The installation of soundproof windows is actually quite simple and quick. This article outlines how horizontal sliding soundproof windows are installed.

Step 1:

Unpack the Soundproof Window from its shipping packaging, including instructions and installation hardware enclosed within the package.

Step 2:

Layout and match the coloured dots that are attached to the frame corners.

Step 3:

Screw the frame together using two screws for each corner.

Step 4:

For Surface mount – Place the frame into the opening to confirm the fit, and check for any extra room. Attach the one sided foam tape to the back of the frame about ⅛” from the edge to form a seal between the frame and the wall. Place the frame against the wall, centering it over the opening. Loosely install two installation screws at the center of the sides and check that the frame is square. Ensure the sill of bottom piece is flattened straight.

Installed Soundproof WindowFor Flush mount – Place the frame into the opening to confirm the fit, and check for any extra room. The frame should fit easily into the opening. Attach the one sided foam tape to the back of the frame about ⅛” from the edge. Fit the frame into the window. Remove and add foam tape as need for best fit. Be aware that some walls may not be square or straight and may require additional foam in certain areas to ensure a perfect square. Screw the frame to the window opening avoiding over-tightening the screws. Over tightening will result in distortion of the frame.

Step 5:

To install the glass panels, begin with the fixed pane. Install the panel at the center of the frame. With the fuzzy strip or rubber bulb facing you by lifting the panel up into the backside of the spring loaded track at the top and down onto the rear side of the track at the bottom. Slide the panel into place either to the left or right depending on your exterior window configuration. The fuzzy strip or rubber bulb seal should now be in the center facing you. Install the second panel and slide fully into the respective channels to align and lock into each other at the center.

Step 6:

Caulk around the edge of the window to seal over the area where the foam tape is located. We do not recommend using a pure silicone caulk. Surface mount frames do not require caulking other than at the sill or when gaps are detected.

For full installation instructions download the Window Assembly and Installation document.

ARCACOUSTICS is the exclusive representative of Soundproof Windows in Canada. Please contact us for all your soundproof window, steel door, sliding glass door, and glass door panel needs.

Regupol® Sonus™ Acoustic Underlayments – Creating a Comfortable Living Space

Posted on by Natalie Adams

Most of us have had neighbours, some of us have lived in condos or apartments, few of us have lived in a space with little to no noise disturbance from neighbouring spaces.

Typical complaints of those living in condos and apartments is that they can hear their neighbours moving furniture or even walking across the room above. It is even worse if they have people over or a pet constantly running around. Home is an oasis, a place where you should be able to relax or have gatherings without having to worry about your neighbours being disturbed. So how can floor isolation be achieved?

Regupol® America is the inventor of the best high performance acoustic floor underlayments which are engineered to reduce impact noise under a variety of resilient and hard surface floor coverings. The Sonus™ series of acoustic underlayments is designed to reduce the passage of impact transmission caused by people walking or moving furniture – resulting in quieter living spaces. These acoustic underlayments can be used whether it is new construction or a renovation project.

Regupol® Sonus™

Regupol® Sonus™ acoustic floor underlayment is ideal for hard surface floors such as ceramic tiles, stone, hardwood flooring and even carpet and carpet tiles. It is available in 2mm, 3mm, 5mm, 6mm, 10mm, 12mm, and 15mm thicknesses. The IIC ranges from 50 to 74 depending on the floor/ceiling assembly and floor covering.

Ceramic Tile Flooring Installation

  1. Plywood Subfloor
  2. Sonus 12mm
  3. Ceramic Tile

Regupol® Sonus™ LV

Regupol® Sonus™ LV acoustic floor underlayment is ideal for installations under vinyl flooring, carpet and carpet tile. It is available in thicknesses of 2mm and 3mm. This material is very popular in apartment/condo buildings due to its ability to achieve high performances while being very thin. The IIC ranges from 50 to 65 or more, depending on the floor/ceilings assembly and floor covering.

Luxury Vinyl Tile Flooring Installation

  1. Concrete Subfloor
  2. Sonus LV 3mm
  3. Luxury Vinyl Tile/Plank

Regupol® SonusWave™

Regupol® SonusWave™ acoustic floor underlayment was specially engineered to be installed under lightweight concrete or topping, as well as plywood raft systems. This unique product is available in 6mm, 8mm, 10mm, 17mm, and 25mm thicknesses. When installing the Sonus Wave with hardwood the 6mm or 8mm thicknesses should be used to avoid a floating sensation. The Delta IIC improvement ranges from 18 to 26 decibels depending on floor/ceiling assembly and floor covering.

Concrete Installation

  1. Concrete Subfloor
  2. Sonuswave 6mm
  3. Lightweight Concrete

The Regupol® Sonus™ series is not only a high performance material but it is easily installed, resilient and durable, and delivers peace and quiet in a variety of spaces. Acoustic underlayments are commonly used in apartments, condominiums, college dormitories, classrooms, schools, and hospitals where impact noise reduction is essential to create a comfortable space.

Selecting the proper underlayment can be complex as there are a variety of factors to consider, including: floor and ceiling assembly, floor covering, and any acoustic requirements that need to be met. Whether you are a homeowner, architect, contractor or developer ARCACOUSTICS is at your disposal to guide you through the options available that are best suited for the application in which the material is being used. We encourage you to contact us to discuss your acoustic project.

ARCACOUSTICS is the exclusive sales representative of Regupol® Acoustics in Eastern Canada (NB, NL, NS, ON, PE, QC).

What Runs the World? STRESS

Posted on by Natalie Adams

Stress is something we all battle on a day to day basis, especially in this modern day where we are constantly on the go with multiple methods of communication that remind us of what we need to do. We wake up to buzzing alarms, rush through breakfast, bolt to get ready, speed to work, manage work deadlines and conflicts, race back home, just to do it all again the next day. Our lifestyles are conductive to our society’s high stress levels. For this reason, the month of April has been dedicated to increase public awareness about both the causes and cures for our modern day epidemic.

Something we do not consider as stressful is noise. Noise is an ‘unwanted sound’ and is a MAJOR SOURCE OF STRESS. Consider this setting: You’ve treated yourself to a nice dinner after a long week. You made reservations at the best restaurant in town, when all of a sudden you hear a loud screeching cry from a baby at a table nearby. Your relaxing dinner has now turned into a time of anxiety/stress because of this “unwanted sound” during what is to be a time of relaxation.

Although it is normal to experience a range of moods, constant feelings of stress can have detrimental effects. Stress can contribute to anxiety or feelings of dread, confusion, difficulty concentrating, problems with decision-making, and changes in personality (irritability, hostility, frustration, anger, etc…)

Stress not only affects us emotionally but it takes a physical toll. We’ve all had those nights where sleep is the last of our concerns, where instead we take this time to think (often over think) about what is occurring in our lives. Daily stress can lead to an increased risk of chronic diseases, heart problems, and changes in the brain.

There a few methods to combat stress and heal stress’ effect:

Stress Fighting Foods

When we are stressed we tend to crave sugar, caffeine, or our guilty pleasures but healthy foods such as apples, bananas, or leafy greens, can actually help combat stress by relaxing you and clearing our minds.

Take a Break

Although taking a break might be the last thing on our minds when we’re stressed, taking some time to clear our minds can greatly help reduce stress levels allowing for increased productivity. Consider meditation, yoga, or simply enjoy the outdoors.

Organize your Space

Decluttering where you spend time can drastically help reduce stress levels as you will feel more organized and ready to tackle your day.

Peace and Quiet

There is a reason why they pair “peace” and “quiet” in the same phrase. In a world where persistent noise has become the norm, finding a quiet space can be challenging but extremely rewarding. It allows for a reduction in blood pressure; improves sleep and is conductive to deeper, more truthful thinking. Overall health improvement!

Although not everyone experiences stress the same way, the feeling is universal. You’re not alone.

Making an effort to reduce your stress levels can change your quality of life. Aside from implementing the methods suggested above, attention can also be given to those areas where you spend the most of your time such as your workplace or your home. If this is an option you’d like to explore, there are a variety of acoustical solutions for these areas to create a more peaceful environment. From building noise control to interior architectural acousticsARCACOUSTICS , an affiliate of dB Noise Reduction, is ready to help you create the space you deserve.