How Soundproofing Is Measured In Acoustic Fire Doors
Getting the required amount of sleep and rest is important to everyone’s health and wellbeing – so being disturbed at home by other people watching TV or playing music whilst you are trying to sleep can be a real nuisance! Likewise, when you are trying to concentrate on something in work, but your train of thought is constantly disturbed by other people’s conversation or other work noises, can be stressful and counterproductive. Installing soundproof doors can offer a solution to these problems – acoustic doors and frames can be deployed anywhere at home or in the workplace and create a much calmer, more peaceful environment for all – here is some information about, and reasons for, considering soundproof doors for your home or work environment:
Decibel Ratings
Sound levels are measured or rated in decibels – these are noise levels against the sensitivity of the average human hearing capacity. Starting at zero decibels being complete silence, the decibel ratings rise in different environments from different sources – regular exposure to a decibel rating of 85 or above can result in permanent hearing damage to an individual. To illustrate this, an average conversation between two people is normally conducted at a rating of around 60 decibels – probably higher than you might think! Everyday household items can generate a higher level of rating – a vacuum cleaner is typically around 70-80 decibels, whilst the noise generated from heavy traffic registers at around 85 decibels – that dangerous level mentioned earlier!
Absorbent Materials
In order to combat these noise levels, soundproof acoustic doors are manufactured from materials that are efficient in absorbing sound – timber, steel, aluminium and often PVC. These materials offer different levels of sound protection by absorbing and reflecting soundwaves, thereby preventing them from passing through the doors into adjoining areas or spaces. In certain environments additional soundproofing materials such as insulating foam may be used – for example, a recording studio may require a higher level of noise reduction than a standard room in a house or office, and environments like theatres, cinemas, hospitals, and schools may also benefit from higher levels of noise reduction.
Soundproofing Levels
Acoustic doors and frames can be manufactured to different levels making them suitable for different environments – a low to medium soundproof door may provide a sound reduction of 34 decibels, so able to ‘muffle’ a normal conversation though not completely block it out, whilst also reducing noise from items such as TV’s, boiling kettles, and such. A high-performance acoustic door will reduce sound by up to 44 decibels, so blocking human conversation to a point where really, only people shouting can be heard, and will usually block out noise from household appliances, (vacuum cleaners, washing machines and such) – these are the kind of acoustic doors installed in cinemas.
Reasons For Installing Soundproof Doors
Every environment is subjected to a certain level of noise, be it at home or in the workplace, and sometimes your world requires a more peaceful ambiance! Acoustic doors and frames can provide that barrier to reduce that noise interruption and create a more peaceful environment – an important factor in times of stress or if you are one of the many people who now work from home. In the home, installing soundproof doors can create spaces for you to listen to music, watch TV, or just talk without being disturbed or, just as importantly, disturb others! Having acoustic doors installed in your home can also be, literally, a sound investment – if selling your home, if you are trying to attract a family market, then the presence of these doors will be a useful selling point!
Soundproof Fire Rated Doors
Another important consideration when choosing acoustic doors is the protection they can also offer against a fire outbreak – soundproof doors can be manufactured from materials that are not only sound absorbent, but also effective in resisting heat, flame and smoke in the event of a fire breaking out in the home or workplace. Like the different levels of sound absorption, acoustic fire rated doors offer varying levels of fire protection from 30 minutes resistance and containment through different time levels of 60 minutes, 90 minutes and, where required, up to 120 minutes and above.
Aesthetics
You may think from the description of soundproof and fire rated doors that they would be industrial-looking and unattractive – this is not so – these doors can be finished in aesthetically suitable and attractive finishes so that they complement any home or office environment.
Enfield Doors – for bespoke and commercial fire doors
Enfield Doors, are an established bespoke door manufacturers in the UK trading for many years and manufacturing doors of all types to every environment across industry and the home. Their knowledgeable and experienced staff can advise you on all aspects of soundproof doors including manufacture, installation, maintenance and security. If you would like further information on our company, please visit the home page, or please contact us and we will respond as quickly as possible. We look forward to helping you.
