APPLICATION OVERVIEW
Acoustic comfort is an important part of human health and wellbeing. This is relevant to all types of buildings – stand-alone houses, apartments, offices, schools and hospitals.
Building Code clause G6*, airborne and impact sound, requires a minimum sound transmission class between occupancies common spaces in order to protect occupants from noise. However, regulatory experts participating in BRANZ research report that developers generally must exceed the minimum requirements to meet the needs of modern buyers.
*(building.govt.nz)
Insulating with Earthwool® glasswool for Commercial Applications
Insulation plays and integral role in the attenuation of noise in buildings. Different types of insulation will perform differently depending on the product's composition. Fibrous insulation such as glasswool insulation is proven to be among the best performing types of insulation. Glasswool products vary in density and thickness.
The Earthwool® glasswool acoustic range has been specifically designed to minimise sound transmission through walls, mid-floors and other areas requiring acoustic performance. Earthwool® glasswool insulation: acoustic batts, 11kg/m3 density, have been designed for commercial and multi-use residential buildings with steel studs and suspended ceilings.
Why specify Earthwool® glasswool acoustic insulation?
1. Superior acoustic performance
2. Superior sustainability credentials
3. Non-combustible glasswool - AS 1530.1
4. Compression packaging = more product per pack, less transport and less storage space required
5. Fast installation – pre-cut segments, 600mm x 2700mm, are designed for quick installation in internal partition walls and suspended ceilings
6. Easy to handle and install – less dusty and super-soft
7. Low VOCs - Earthwool® glasswool is supported by Eurofins Air Comfort Gold as an 'outstanding' material according to VOC and indoor air quality emissions certification.
Earthwool® glasswool vs. Polyester
Earthwool® glasswool is made using state-of-the-art German fiberisation technology, making it super-soft and easy to handle. It’s made using recycled glass and with ECOSE® Technology, a revolutionary binder technology that does not contain added formaldehyde. Earthwool® glasswool insulation has been tested in accordance with AS 1530.1 and is not deemed combustible.
In a typical steel stud system with 13mm plasterboard on both sides, the STC rating for Earthwool® glasswool: acoustic batts, 11kg/m3, outperforms polyester insulation with the same thickness. For timber framing, mid-floor and all other acoustic applications please refer to our product guide. For specific STC ratings and comparisons for your project contact your Knauf Insulation representative here.
Equivalent Acoustic Insulation Material
When substituting a specified insulation material such as (glasswool, polyester, or natural fibres) it is important to consider the performance of the insulation material. If the density and thickness of the product is the same or greater than the specified material, the acoustic properties of the infill are expected to be similar or better, and the sound insulation performance (that is STC/Rw values) of the overall wall/floor construction is expected to be comparable or better.
The tolerance on sound insulation performance after product substitution is expected to be comparable to the tolerance of laboratory sound insulation measurements, that is, in the order of ±1 to 2 STC/Rw rating points.
(Full report available below)
Marshall Day Acoustics Report for Knauf Insulation (2019)
FREE STC and IIC Reports
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