Acoustic Performance
Noise and its control are important aspects of building design. Whilst Building Regulations in this area focus on the transmission of noise between separating wall and floor constructions and not the external shell, the building envelope can play a key role in keeping internal noise in or external noise out.
There are 3 considerations when identifying the acoustic performance requirements
1. Airborne sound reduction across the wall/roof structure
2. Rain impact noise transmission through the structure (mainly roofs)
3. Sound absorption and resultant reduction in noise level in the building
Corus has undertaken research into the acoustic performance of a number of different cladding systems and found that:
- Pre-finished built-up cladding systems can form the basis of an acoustically high-performing building envelope. The construction details can be modified to include additional elements to further enhance this performance.
- Increasing the thickness of insulation of a built-up system, for increased thermal performance, will increase the sound absorption performance of the cladding, However, increasing the thickness of the foam core of a factory insulated composite panel has virtually no effect on performance as it has minimal mass and absorption properties.
- Both airborne sound transmission and rain impact noise transmission performance of factory insulated mineral wool composite panels are significantly better than factory insulated foam filled composite panels.
- Factory insulated foam filled composite panel systems perform only marginally better than a single skin construction. On their own they do not perform as well as built-up systems, showing poorer performance against rain-noise, and a lower sound reduction index than built-up systems.
- Using a perforated liner sheet will improve the noise levels within the building but will also allow more noise to pass through the wall/roof.
