When it comes to creating a healthier, more comfortable, productive and less disruptive indoor environment, the right solutions, including insulation and other acoustic building materials, can reduce unwanted noise and improve indoor environmental quality. Prioritizing acoustics and designing for occupant comfort, along with using low-emitting materials that are resistant to mold and mildew, specifically to achieve higher IEQ is increasingly a focus among building owners, designers, consultants and architects. This is particularly so, as the industry moves toward more sustainable, high performance buildings.
Planning from the outset of any project is key to maximizing acoustic performance. It’s also important to consider legislative requirements, standards, and voluntary guidelines. For example, building code requirements for insulation used in fire separations or exterior walls and roofs are a central component of developing acoustic environments that support occupant health, learning, productivity, recovery, safety, and wellbeing. However, the building envelope is only one part of a good overall acoustic plan. A comprehensive approach—one that also includes interior acoustic design and considers the acoustic performance and impact of materials within the building—is crucial to a building’s intended use and to how its spaces are experienced.