Soundproofing / Sound Insulation in Buildings

We can design suitable soundproofing and sound insulation schemes for new buildings. We can also help provide a soundproofing and sound insulation solution for existing buildings that are to be converted into a different use, or where a noise nuisance problem arises in current use. We have successfully completed a number of demanding building noise control projects where a very high noise reduction and a very high level of soundproofing and sound insulation were required.

Example: A company that was converting an industrial warehouse into offices needed an acoustic solution to reduce the very loud noise from aircraft taking off from nearby Heathrow airport and flying low, directly over the office. The soundproofing / sound insulation scheme that we designed for the building achieved such a large noise reduction that visitors often comment favourably and express surprise at how quiet it is in the office. Having experienced the very high noise levels outside, several have asked "how can this be possible?"

Example: When an industrial company moved some presses to a different factory, the noise was so loud that they received 20 noise nuisance complaints in the first 30 minutes alone. The soundproofing / sound insulation scheme that we designed for the building achieved such a large reduction that it made the industrial presses inaudible. Our acoustic solution was so successful and made the building so soundproof that, afterwards, a local resident asked the noise consultant why he was bothering to measure the noise when the presses were not running. When the noise consultant said they were running, he replied "that's incredible! Fantastic!"

For a quotation or to find out more about our soundproof / sound insulation service, please click on contact us about soundproofing and sound insulation (note: we do not usually provide a soundproofing service to owners of normal sized domestic houses - we specialise in commercial property such as a school, office, hotel, restaurant, factory, sports centre, industrial unit, companies, etc, or very large houses).

Acoustic Solution for Reflected Noise

High levels of reflected (reverberant) noise are common in buildings, including school, dining, restaurant, pub, sports and hotel conference rooms. This makes it difficult to hear speech because of high levels of background noise from other people talking. The acoustic solution is to apply a specialist type of acoustic panel to selected surfaces within the room (usually on the ceiling or wall). The type of acoustic panel or tile, its material, thickness, location and area of coverage are all critical in achieving the optimum acoustic conditions and the best sound control solution. We can assess all these factors and determine the optimum acoustic solution and type of sound control panel or product for any particular room or building.

Example: Acoustic Solution for Cheam School

At the famous Cheam independent, private school near Newbury, Berks (Berkshire), high levels of reflected noise made communication difficult in a dance and drama studio, resulting in complaints from the teacher. We determined the optimum type of acoustic panel, its thickness, location and coverage area. The result was a specialist type of acoustic absorber panel fitted to the ceiling (none were needed on the wall areas). This achieved a very large reduction in the reflected sound, greatly reducing the background noise from children talking / performing, and making it much easier for the teacher to make herself heard and to control the class. There have been no more complaints from the teacher since installation of the specialist type of acoustic ceiling panel.

Sound proof acoustic door seals were also fitted to the double entrance doors to reduce the noise transmitted from the school sports hall below.

For an acoustic solution of this type to be effective, it is very important to install the optimum amount of acoustic material, panel or tile, and to apply the material to the most appropriate surface (usually the ceiling, wall or both). There is a delicate balancing act. If too little acoustic material is installed, or if it is not installed in the best location(s), reflected noise will still be too high. Then, the background noise will remain too high and communication will remain difficult. If too much acoustic material is installed, there will be too little reflected sound and the teacher will need to shout to be heard at the back of the class room. So, obtaining specialist advice from an independent expert can be invaluable in ensuring a satisfactory acoustic solution. We can provide that advice - we take great care to get the balance right.

The need for soundproofing, insulation, sound control and acoustic absorbent solutions in schools has become much more prevalent since new building regulations were introduced. Building Bulletin 93 (BB93) sets standards of soundproofing, sound insulation, internal noise levels and acoustic absorption that are required when building a new school. The requirements of BB93 also apply when “material alterations” are being made to school buildings, such as refurbishment or extension.

Whether applying BB93 to control sound in a school room, or providing sound proofing or an acoustic solution for any other type of building, we aim to provide the optimum solution in terms of both performance and cost. Our company prides itself in providing high quality and effective sound control solutions at reasonable cost.

For a quotation or to find out more about how we can help you with an acoustic solution / service (or with products such as an acoustic ceiling panel, tile or flooring), please click on contact us about an acoustic solution.

Machine and Equipment Sound Control

We offer a much wider than normal range of solutions to building noise, building services noise and planning noise problems. Whereas other types of noise control company and acoustic engineer only provide soundproofing or sound insulation schemes for building structures, we offer a range of technologically advanced machinery sound control solutions as well as soundproofing. Having such a wide variety of sound control solution from which to choose can provide considerable benefits such as large cost savings and a much higher noise reduction.

Advanced sound control solutions can be applied to many types of machine or equipment in all types of office, hotel, hospital, restaurant, sports hall and other buildings. Common examples of machine and equipment that can be treated in this way include all types of fan, chiller, air conditioner, condenser, heater, ventilation system, compressor, etc.

Example: Conference, training and other rooms (including shops) can suffer from irritating and distracting low frequency drones or rumbles from the heating, ventilation or air conditioning systems. This occurs because the low frequency performance of a conventional silencer (the usual acoustic solution) is poor. In contrast, advanced sound control solutions are highly effective at low frequencies, often eliminating drones and rumbles completely.

Another benefit of advanced sound control solutions is that they generate very little resistance to airflow. This contrasts with a conventional silencer where high noise reductions are achieved at the cost of high resistance, which can impair fan performance or increase energy consumption due to the higher fan speeds required.

For more information on how we can help with machine and equipment noise reduction, click on Industrial Noise Nuisance or on contact us for sound control.

Planning Noise Control

Planning noise is becoming an increasingly important issue. The high demand for housing means that developments are increasingly being considered close to noisy factories, industry, etc. By providing considerably higher noise reductions than other types of acoustic solution, advanced noise solutions can achieve planning permission in cases where it would be refused otherwise.

Example: Planning permission for converting a disused mill into flats was initially refused due to high levels of fan noise from a nearby industrial factory. The common types of acoustic solution - silencers and an acoustic barrier (acoustic wall, acoustic fence, etc.) had been suggested by another acoustic engineer / expert, but they were rejected because they could not provide enough noise reduction. By suppressing the noise generating mechanism at source, our advanced noise solution achieved a very large noise reduction, sufficient to gain planning permission. The developer paid for the fan noise control measures.

For more information and examples on how we can help with planning noise control where a fan is the main source, click on Industrial Noise Nuisance.

More Information on Soundproofing or an Acoustic Solution

For a quotation or to find out how we can help you with soundproofing, sound control, acoustic insulation or finding an acoustic solution for a school, office, hotel, restaurant, industrial unit, sports centre or other type of building or room, please click on contact us for help with noise insulation or an acoustic problem.

Our company is based in St Albans, Hertfordshire (Herts), near London, but we work throughout the UK.

Advanced Noise Solutions Ltd
Unit 13 Boissy Close, St Albans, Hertfordshire (Herts)

About our Location, near London

St. Albans, Herts (Hertfordshire) is in the Eastern Region, South East of England (Home Counties), about 20 miles north of central London, UK (United Kingdom). Local towns include Welwyn Garden City, Watford, Hemel Hempstead, Harpenden, Stevenage, Hitchin, Letchworth, Luton in Bedfordshire (Beds), Borehamwood, Potters Bar, Enfield, Barnet, Hertford, and Cheshunt. Bedford, Cambridge in Cambs (Cambridgeshire), Milton Keynes, Harlow in Essex, Aylesbury in Bucks (Buckinghamshire), Chelmsford, Bishop’s Stortford, Huntingdon, Northampton in Northants (Northamptonshire), Peterborough, Reading, Newbury in Berks (Berkshire) and, of course, London are not far away. We are close to several London boroughs.