Sound barriers are materials used to block or soundproof rooms, corridors or whole buildings.
Not everyone needs soundproofing but a great deal of our Irish housing stock have thin walls, floors and ceilings that do not provide adequate soundproofing for normal domestic noise levels. Part of this reason is that when these properties were built they were not designed to block modern levels of noise such as TV’s in several rooms, HiFi music, computer games, washing machines, home cinema sound systems, central heating pumps and mobile phones etc. So even if you think you are not being excessively noisy you have to remember that all the above sound may be traveling through to your neighbours property.
If however you are making excessive noise within your property due to say, home cinema systems, playing of musical instruments or recording music etc., then soundproofing is something you may consider to keep good relations with your neighbours.
The Department of the Environment, Community & Local Government (DECLG) published new Building Regulations pertaining to sound in December 2014. An updated and enhanced Technical Document E Sound followed in January 2015. The key aspects of the new guidance may be summarized as follows:
- For the first time in Ireland, minimum standards of sound insulation performance have been use to define
reasonable resistance to sound
; - Reverberation in common internal parts of buildings has been introduced as an issue requiring consideration; and
- Mandatory pre-completion testing is required in order to demonstrate compliance with the requirements of the Regulations.
There are various types of sound blocking systems available and a range of materials for existing and new soundproofing construction. Schools, offices and warehouses can all benefit from having acoustic barriers installed.
Get in touch with us today for a quote.
