During the busyness of the holidays, there comes a time – or a few – where we all wish we could just have one 'Silent Night.' Even a silent hour would be a nice reprieve. From parties to festivities to shopping, the cacophony of it all can just be too much.
But it is the holiday season – and the season of giving, after all – so we wanted to put together a list of the top-5 best articles with acoustic advice from this year for your quiet reading pleasure.
1. Why Every Builder Should Have An Acoustic Expert on Their Team
"Often when designing and building a construction project, too little – if any – attention is paid to architectural acoustics. Since it’s exponentially easier to provide soundproofing at the onset of a building project rather than retroactively, it stands to reason that all new construction projects should consult an acoustics or soundproofing expert prior to breaking ground.
"Prevention is worth a pound of cure so when preparing to start a new construction project, proactively planning for architectural acoustics with an expert can make all the difference to ensure an optimal environment for everyone living or working inside or near the building."
Read more to learn about why acoustic experts are important.
2. How To Solve For Commercial Office Noise Issues
"At Sonic-Shield, we use both sound barrier and/or sound absorption materials to dampen or completely deaden noise from a variety of sources. Soundproofing for commercial buildings requires understanding the types of indoor noise, such as interior sound transmission, sound reflection, and reverberation that occur in these settings.
"Here, you’ll find examples of some common commercial noise issues, and how we generally address the problem."
Read more to learn about solving for commercial office noise.
3. How To Control Excessive Reverberation in Open Spaces
"Open floor plans – both residential and commercial – are all the rage. And it’s easy to see why. The expansive spaces are open, collaborative and interactive, and have become a welcomed departure from the compartmentalized, partitioned spaces of the past.
"But open spaces do have one major drawback: noise.
"The noise in commercial spaces specifically – think: warehouses, open-office spaces, gymnasiums, recreation centers and more – often prove distracting and as such, negatively impact productivity.
"But with countless commercial square feet already sold on open, collaborative spaces, what can employers do to improve productivity – and reduce noise?"
Read more about how to control noise in open spaces.
4. Noisy Animal Hospitals and Veterinary Clinics Can be Stressful for your Pet
"Once relegated to living and working outside, pets have so integrated themselves into our daily lives that they’ve all but become full-fledged members of our families. We buy them beds and toys, carefully select the most nutritious foods and allow them many of the same creature comforts we afford ourselves.
"And yet, when it comes to their safety, we often give little thought to a nuisance that can often prove incredibly traumatic for our beloved four-legged friends: noise.
"While noise control is arguably one of the most neglected responsibilities in raising and caring for a pet, soundproofing is something that can be addressed with a little attention and thoughtful planning."
Read more about how to alleviate stress for animals with soundproofing.
5. Why Does the OpenTable App Include A Noise Scale in Your Post-Experience Review?
"OpenTable recognizes it. So do Zagat, Consumer Reports, and the restaurant critic for the Washington Post.
"More and more restaurants don’t recognize it. What is it that diners, news outlets and food critics all agree upon – but restaurants refuse to hear?
"Noise, to the tune of 24 percent, is the No. 1 most irksome complaint from diners, outranking service, crowds, pricing, and parking.
"Noise control should be a consideration from the very first planning stage – not an afterthought. That’s not to suggest that a little noise should be avoided at all costs. There’s no need to revert to a library-silent dining experience, but when the health and happiness of patrons are at stake, it merits some consideration."
Read more about how to find a happy noise balance for your restaurant.
So there you have it. Five perfectly and thoughtfully collected articles with acoustic advice from this past year that you may have missed to give you an excuse to carve out some quiet time to read when 'not a creature is stirring,' even if just for a few minutes!
