Over the years, building and design professionals have employed a variety of wall assembly design techniques to meet the acoustic control requirements of projects. Some of these traditional methods have earned a reputation for being expensive or too problematic, as even minor installation errors can compromise the acoustical performance of the entire wall assembly. With the advent of new technology and innovation, however, building product manufacturers are developing newer, more practical solutions for acoustic control. In addition, they are working to educate customers on the fundamentals of acoustic science to help guide them toward the best material choices for an acoustical wall assembly.
To solve acoustical problems, building and design professionals must first consider three elements: the sound source, the path that sound travels and the sound receiver at the end of the path. Sound originates from various sources outside the building or adjacent spaces inside the building. Sound transmission paths are building elements, such as wall assemblies, through which noise from the sound source travels. And, the receiver is a person or group of people who occupy the space.