Find Articles Submit Article Search
	Web www.topicplanet.com

Print This Article

Email Comment For Posting

Add To Favorites

Email to Friends

Ezine Ready

Acoustic Ceilings, Insulation Materials and Noise Absorbers – Types, Features and Usage

Acoustic Ceilings – General
Planning and building regulations require a minimum height for ceilings in private homes and business locations. These requirements also apply to acoustic ceilings installed for insulation, surfacing and roofing, aesthetics or interior design

In most cases the minimum height is 2.5 meters, except for toilets, shower and bathrooms, closets, corridors or larders where the minimum height is 2.05 meters.
When planning an acoustic or decorative ceiling in an interior space a number of aspects must be considered in order to achieve a level of aesthetics, acoustics, safety, etc.:
1. A definition of the nature of the environment or interior space where the acoustic ceiling is to be installed, for example: living space, studio, recording studio, classroom, dining room, kitchen, laboratory, clinic, library, computer room, clean room, bathroom, office, corridor, etc.
2. The requirements of the internal environment must be defined. For example: absorption of noise, insulation, safety from fire, hygiene, resistance to damp, design and architecture, decoration, concealing air conditioning piping, reflection of light, etc.
3. The insulation materials the ceiling is made from.
4. Speed, ease of installation and influence of the functioning of the business.
5. Cost of materials and cost of installation.
6. Requirements for ongoing maintenance: dry or wet cleaning, repairs and reinforcement, changes, etc.
7. Appearance, design and architecture of the ceiling and the influence on the general appearance of the internal space.
8. Types of paint, textures and colors.
9. Weight of the ceiling and extent of investment in any necessary construction.
10. Size of the ceiling and its various components, thickness and how compressed it is.
11. The type of the existing ceiling on which the acoustic ceiling will be mounted: cement, wood, metal, etc.
12. Possibilities for inclusion of additional elements into the acoustic ceiling such as: air conditioning vents, fire and smoke detectors, water sprinklers, lighting fixtures, etc.

Following are some common types of acoustic ceilings, with their applications and features:

Fiberglass Ceilings
These include acoustic ceilings made of fiberglass with a covering of PVC or white fleece.

Applications:
1. Decorative ceiling to improve the appearance of an interior.
2. Concealing electronic components and piping that pass over the ceiling.
3. Help improve the acoustics of the environment where they are installed.
4. Hygienic and suitable for dining rooms, medical institutions, etc.

Features:
1. Easy to install and remove for access to components installed behind them.
2. Do not dazzle the eyes, have a high reflective index.
3. Prevent echoing and absorb noise.
4. Make speaking tones clear and easy to hear.
5. Can be covered in PVC or white fleece.
6. Thermal insulation.
7. Are not fragile.
8. Are not affected by touch or vibration.
9. Light-weight.
10. Easy to clean.
11. Have a level 2 resistance to fire, according to the Israeli Standard (ISI 755).
12. 75% resistance to damp

Mineral Wool Ceilings
Acoustic ceilings made of compressed rock wool, starch and clay.

Applications:
1. Suitable for offices.
2. Libraries.
3. Auditoriums.
4. Convention centers.
5. Large spaces.
6. Dining rooms.
7. Medical institutions.

Features:
1. Thermal efficiency – low heat transfer index facilitating saving of energy for heating and cooling.
2. Sound absorption – the ceiling contains thousands of spaces that serve as tiny sound traps that absorb noise and vibrations.
3. Stable size – changes in temperature and humidity do not affect the shape of the boards in the ceiling, and do not permit the formation of any spaces, except in humidity levels of 80% and over or temperatures of over 30o.
4. Resistance to fire - level 6 resistance to fire, according to the Israeli standard (ISI 755).
5. Resistance to moisture – to a level of 80%.
6. Easy to work with – simple installation, you can easily knock nails into the ceiling tiles and they can also be cut, stabilized and glued easily.
7. Particularly lightweight.
8. No health risks.

Celenit Ceilings (wood)
Acoustic ceilings made of fine fir tree chips, stuck together with mineral glue.

Applications:
1. Acoustic ceilings that absorb noise.
2. Natural wall covering.
3. The strength and durability of the materials make it suitable for use in environments with particularly extreme conditions such as: swimming pools, gyms, schools, industrial buildings, garages, etc.

Features:
1. Made of 65% fir-tree wood fibers and 35% mineral glue.
2. Resistance to fire – level 5 according to the Israeli standard (ISI 755).
3. Resistance to moisture to a level of 100%.
4. Light and flexible.
5. Absorb/swallow noise at a very high level.

Melamine Ceilings
Melamine sponge ceilings have unique features – a high level of noise absorption, excellent insulation, can withstand very high temperatures and are fire proof – all these make it very suitable to serve as acoustic ceilings in various applications.

The flexibility of melamine sponge makes it easy to work with the material: by gluing, placing on other construction or semi-sunken placement, not visible to the eye. Maximum reduction of noise level is thus achieved.

Applications:
There are a wide range of possible applications for melamine sponge as an acoustic ceiling:
1. Acoustic insulation for recording studios.
2. Insulation for walls and ceilings together.
3. Production factories.
4. Theaters and cinemas.
5. Offices, computer rooms.
6. Sports facilities.
7. Firing ranges.
8. Garages.
9. Private and public buildings such as restaurants, cafes, etc.

Features:
1. Flexibility.
2. Noise absorbing capability to a very high level.
3. Good thermal insulation levels.
4. Resistant to fire.
5. Resistant to heat.
6. Lightweight.
7. High inherent stability (inert material).
8. Can be attached with ordinary glue to foam.
9. Good adaptability in application.
10. Can be cut in various modules.
11. Easy to cut.
12. Available in a range of colors.

Topic Planet: Your Article Source For Every Topic On The Planet

Romi Golad is the CEO of Golmat Ltd. a leading company in the field of building insulation in Israel that operates in the import, marketing and production of products by the best producers in the field. Fields of expertise: thermal and acoustic insulation materials for building; industry and air conditioning; noise absorbers; rock wool; glass wool; piping insulation; acoustic ceilings; cement pouring; sealing materials; fire protection; copper, zinc and aluminum for covering of walls and ceilings; decorative partitions; design and architecture; corrugated aluminum panels for wall covering and decoration; stainless steel mesh; aluminum mesh; copper bins; and so on. site: eng.golmat.co.il חומרי בידוד יציקת בטון גגות אבץ

Please Rate this Article