Three Effects of Acoustics in Commercial Buildings

Sound and noise aren’t things we normally pay a lot of attention to – until they begin creating disruptions. In commercial buildings, sound and noise can be major disrupters, which is why taking building acoustics into account during construction is so important.

The science of acoustics doesn’t only apply to theaters, music halls, and recording studios although these are places, we most often hear about when discussing acoustics. A good building contractor can customize the acoustics of any type of facility, no matter what it will be used for.

New Horizons Construction Services of Groveland, FL, would like to cover three important areas in which building acoustics affect the occupied spaces and the people in them.

Acoustics 101

In simple terms, architectural acoustics refers to how sound is experienced, usually within a structure or facility. If there is sound, there is going to be an acoustic effect. The goal is to customize the effects to the benefit of people using the building. Here are three ways acoustics are experienced.

Absorbing sound

The materials used in the construction of a building’s interior space will affect how sound within the spaces is reflected or absorbed. When planning a commercial facility, be aware of how each of your spaces will be used, such as:

• For general in-person or phone conversations
• For large or small meetings
• For the use of machinery
• For musical sound

These and other considerations will dictate the optimal materials and building styles used in the construction of the facility’s spaces. Your contractor and architect will go over ways to optimally manage the reflection or absorption of sound.

Distributing sound

Although sound is invisible, it does move. Sound distribution is an important area that owners and contractors must consider when creating commercial spaces.

Once the type and level of sound expected for a given room or space is understood, the builders and designers can use specific materials and create customized angles to channel sound in the direction they want it to go. A good example of this is how the sound from a stage in a music hall is pushed out toward the audience rather than absorbed around the stage.

Insulating sound

Another element of commercial acoustics is the insulation of sound from outside the space. Noise from street traffic, airplanes, crowds of people, and adjoining rooms can negatively impact daily production in a workspace. 

Noise pollution is a serious problem in many areas of our world, and without the right acoustical considerations for a facility’s walls and ceilings, users will experience a lot more of this internal and external pollution than necessary.

Managing the acoustics in your commercial building

For more than 15 years, New Horizon Construction Services has helped our clients create well-apportioned and pleasant workspaces within their commercial facilities. A big part of this is managing the acoustics, which begins with the initial architectural design and ends with the materials and physical elements within the spaces.

If you’re planning a new commercial building project and want to ensure that sound works to your benefit, speak with an experienced contractor at (407) 574-2164. You can also get in touch with our contact form.