Chicago — Helping architects, designers and other building team professionals to effectively manage noise and privacy between rooms, OptimizedAcoustics.com shares new technical resources from ROCKFON in an expanded and enhanced online experience. This updated interactive content is complemented with a new publication, "Optimized Acoustics™: Your guide to sound blocking design solutions."

"Now more than ever, an optimal acoustic experience is as important as the look, feel and function of a space," says ROCKFON acoustic specialist, Gary Madaras, Ph.D., Assoc. AIA. "It's important to consider how every structure, surface, fixture, material and even gap plays a role in the way noise is experienced. To achieve the best sound experience at the best price, use ceiling systems to optimize sound absorption and, where needed, use walls or plenum barriers to effectively block sound between rooms."

Visitors to OptimizedAcoustics.com now can use the online tools to assess the level of noise in adjacent rooms and the level of sensitivity to noise and then to select, good, better and best solutions for achieving sound blocking levels of Sound Transmission Class (STC) 40, 45 and 50.

Most acoustics standards, guidelines and building rating systems require blocking levels of STC 45 or higher for offices, patient rooms, classrooms and other rooms in commercial spaces. A sound blocking level of STC 45 means that a listener in a quiet room would hear raised speech in adjacent rooms, but would not be able to understand the conversation.

Full-height interior walls can achieve STC 45 or higher. If full-height walls are unavailable or impractical, a lightweight plenum barrier positioned vertically above the wall can provide an STC 40, 45 or 50 level of blocking when combined with a stone wool ceiling system. This can decrease the cost of the ceiling, allow for greater layout flexibility in the future and prevent the need to control noise leaks through the ceiling system.

Beyond the new content on sound blocking, returning visitors to OptimizedAcoustics.com also will notice a streamlined, more efficient, user-friendly flow, plus improved auditory demonstrations and interface. Information will continue to be added to help visitors achieve the best sound experience at the best price by using ceiling systems to optimize sound absorption and, where needed, using walls or plenum barriers to effectively block sound between rooms.

To download a copy of "Optimized Acoustics: Your guide to sound blocking design solutions," please visit OptimizedAcoustics.com.