Quiet Comfort
A quiet home is relaxing and serene with a peaceful aura of quality and solitude.
Homeowners realize that unwanted noise affects comfort, concentration, and behavior. That is why it is crucial to insulate the ceilings, walls, and floors with a material that effectively controls sound. And since noise from within the home can be equally disagreeable, it is a good idea to insulate interior walls and floors--so that several people or groups can simultaneously enjoy different activities (such as watching TV, reading, and using the computer).
Controlling noise is clearly important, but how can a homeowner or builder know which insulation is best at keeping a home quiet?
Put Them To The Test!
The best way to determine effectiveness is to conduct reliable, scientific tests. Sound Transmission Class (STC) is a laboratory measurement used to study the resistance of a wall, ceiling, or floor to the passage of sound. The higher the STC number, the more sound is deadened. The table below gives examples of STC ratings.
STC
Rating |
Description of Performance |
| 30 |
Loud speech understood fairly well |
| 35 |
Loud speech audible but unintelligible |
| 42 |
Loud speech audible as a murmur |
| 45 |
Must strain to hear loud speech |
| 48 |
Some loud speech barely audible |
| 50 |
Loud speech not audible |
And We Have A Winner!
As you can see in the bar graph above, testing shows that cellulose quiets a home better than fiberglass. The homeowner will appreciate the difference every day - in every room! |
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Comparison of STC Ratings
Custom Fit or One Size Fits All?
Different installation methods dramatically affect how well noise is controlled.
Fiberglass batts leave gaps and voids since they are cut and patched to fit the countless variations throughout a home.
Applegate Cellulose completely fills the spaces in walls and ceilings that help carry sound because it is sprayed in and provides a custom fit around wiring, plumbing, and other obstacles.
A Real Improvement For Every Home
Whether your home is in the planning stages or built 100 years ago, Applegate Cellulose will help keep it quiet--a real home improvement.
Ideal For Multi-Family & Commercial Use
In situations where sound control is even more critical, Applegate Cellulose has proven extremely effective in thousands of applications.
For more information about sound control or for additional copies of this article, please call: 800- 627-7536 or contact us.
Sources
1 "Noise Control Design Guide", Owens-Corning Fiberglas Corp.
2 "Noise Control Design Guide", Owens-Corning Fiberglas Corp.
3 Cellulose Insulation Manufacturers Association. |