Soundproofing

As you may know, we recently moved into our new office at W 6 Ave & Hemlock (aka Hemlock Station).  When you move into a new space, it’s a given that there will be some adjustments…new problems to deal with (just to clarify, we DO LOVE our new space!).  One of the issues we are currently facing is noise.  We have a concrete floor, a lot of glazing, and a semi-open floor plan…which means sound travels everywhere.  We are currently looking into ways to reduce sound travel and thought you might benefit from some of the information we have gathered:

• the more space there is, the more noise reduction there is (we certainly have space but with the current open floor plan and rigid materials, it appears to be working against us)
• mass will prevent sound travel (thicker walls…which we don’t have)
• consider materials that will prevent vibrations & dampen sound

It’s important to understand the difference between noise reduction and noise absorption:

• noise reduction is achieved by stopping it, killing it, not letting it pass through walls/windows, etc. For this consider using mass and space.
• noise absorption is achieved by changing the characteristic of the noise.  Stop it from echoing, vibrating, reverberating, reflecting, etc.  For this consider using materials like carpets, upholstered furniture, acoustical ceiling tile, soundboard or interior walls, heavy curtains, etc.

It’s important to know the difference as one does not work for the other.  But when used appropriately they can both contribute to soundproofing your space.