By reducing sound reverberation, we can create holistic spaces where conversations can be heard and background noise is minimised
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Liberate by FR One
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Sound | The noisy truth
Textiles play a major role in the absorption of sound both within our homes and public spaces such as offices, hotels, and conference centres, increasing ambience and speech intelligibility. Where sounds bounce off hard surfaces and reverberate around spaces, soft furnishings work to absorb sounds.
Liberate by FR One
With the minimalist design movement, the management of sound has become of utmost importance particularly in the design of public spaces. By reducing sound reverberation, we can create holistic spaces where conversations can be heard and background noise is minimised, however, not all textiles have equal sound absorption qualities – the absorption is dependent upon the textile’s weight, composition, and/or construction.
Generally, due to mass, drapery provides the main textile source of sound absorption and we find:
· The more drapery folds, the more sound absorption
· Hanging a curtain a small distance off the wall increases sound absorption
· Softening opposing walls reduces sound waves from travelling wall to wall
Measuring acoustic properties
Measuring acoustic properties
FR-One textiles are tested for sound absorption in accordance with EN ISO 354 and provided with an official Noise Reduction Coefficient (NRC) between 0 and 1.
0 is considered a hard surface where all noise is reverberated, while 1 denotes a textile which absorbs all sound.
These results are commonly converted to a sound absorption class as per ISO 11654, from A to E. A-rated textiles achieve the highest absorption rating, however those rated A, B, or C are also highly absorbent textiles that will effectively assist in reducing sound reverberation.
Designs with superior sound absorption
Designs with superior sound absorption
The measuring of curtains must be done thoroughly and accurately and is vital in ensuring a great final result. In this article we explain how to measure your window and what to consider when calculating fabric dimensions.
