Aluminium Extra
have an impact on ‘expected’ attenuation
levels. Furthermore, attenuation is not linear,
transmission of frequencies may mean that
at one level of frequency, in a given window
specification, sound is well attenuated whilst
at another frequency, sound attenuation will
be less. Knowing what frequencies to specify
too is crucial in getting the installation best
specified for the client.
Whilst ensuring airtight window systems
to increase sound attenuation, these can
be provided with ‘glazed-in’ or ‘in-frame’
acoustic ventilators which consist of baffles
and acoustic absorbing materials to allow
ventilation but with attenuated noise
transmission. Acoustic ventilators may not
offer the level of attenuation required and this
is where an alternative mechanical ventilation
provision should be considered. Depending
of the configuration and specification of the
design of windows or curtain wall required,
our Aluprof design team can assist in the best
options to be specified.
Where prime windows need to remain in
place, for example in listed facades, then the
option to install a secondary window system
will offer a good solution. Using spacings of
100mm to 150mm between these windows
including the inside reveal lined with acoustic
absorbing material will offer very high levels of
sound attenuation.
Flanking sound transmission is quite a
talking point at the moment in the industry.
On almost every acoustic assessment when
there is a continuous curtain wall, sound
can travel through the facade to other floors,
the reason for this is that the box will allow
sound to travel unless it is broken per floor.
Provisions can be incorporated such as an
acoustic insert, multiple transoms can also be
used to allow the sound to dissipate. Careful
design is required to allow movement of the
curtain wall system whilst ensuring that sound
does not travel between compartments or
floors of the building. Curtain wall also has
the ability to transmit impact sound across
compartments as well as airborne sound and
selecting suitable methods of construction will
improve attenuation.
Whilst there is no one fix for all conditions,
our design team in London and at our head
office here in Altrincham can offer advice
on how to tackle sound attenuation in both
new and existing buildings. With one of the
widest ranges of aluminium systems available
in the UK we can offer you a bespoke design
to meet both thermal and sound attenuation
requirements.
Since setting up the Aluprof Project Office
at the Business Design Centre in London,
the company has rapidly grown their
specification influence in the UK with their
high performance architectural aluminium
systems. Further expansion of the companies
headquarters in Altrincham now provides
specifiers with meeting facilities and an
extensive showroom of commercial systems
to view. With overseas growth across Europe
spreading into the Middle East and firm roots
already in the East of the USA, the company is
becoming a global player in facade supply.
Further information is available on the
companies website at aluprof.co.uk or direct
from their UK office in Altrincham on 0161
941 4005.
CLEARVIEW-UK.COM » AUG 2020 » 37