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Soundproofing a Classroom 

The Soundproofing Problem:

For health reasons, most classroom settings are filled with hard, washable, reflective

surfaces such as concrete, tile, brick, block, wood, glass and drywall. These surfaces are

safe for the kids, but do not lend themselves to good sound quality in the room, as they

are highly reflective and produce poor quality acoustics. Ask any teacher, including JulieCash of George Washington Elementary School in Kingston, NY, how echoes in a room

can threaten the learning environment and the development of her students. Not to

mention her peace of mind and ability to teach. Julie found NetWell Noise Control

through Google and called for help.

The Soundproofing Treatment:

By loweirng the level of echo in Julie's classroom, she would be able to teach in normal

conversational tones, students can hear better, test scores go up, grades improve. The

soundproofing application is fairly straightforward. Sound absorbing panels can be

installed in the room to effectively capture the echoes and lower their impact on Julie'steaching enviornment. The panels she chose were Ceiling Clouds.  These are sound

panels that mechanically float from her ceiling to deaden the effects of the unwanted

background noise. She provided NetWell with her room's size, shape and surface

textures so that NetWell can in turn prescribe the appropriate amount of material for her

treatment.

The Soundproofing Results:

Once the Clouds were delivered and installed, the results were immediate and

dramatic. Teachers from other class rooms came calling, wanting the same treatment for their

respective rooms. Julie's classroom became the envy of the school, as the noise in the room

collapsed and the acoustics in the room were now ideal. The Clouds were installed right before

school started in the fall of 2010, Julie's email came the day after school started:

Dear NetWell, 

I am writing to tell you how thrilled I am with the Ceiling Cloud panels that were recently installed

in my classroom. 

Prior to having the panels installed, I had a very serious noise problem in my elementary classroom. Voices in the classroom seemed to

echo and travel across the room, while it was extremely difficult to hear what the person sitting right next to me was saying. I thought I

had developed a serious hearing problem, it was so bad!  

The Ceiling Cloud Panels you recommended have solved the problem! Now we can have class discussions and hear what each child is

saying, there is no echo, and quiet conversations are no longer a challenge.

Acoustiblok Soundproofing Blog Articles 

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Sound Barrier Fencing Keeps Highway Noise out of Adjacent Communities

Posted by Thomas Wiseman on Fri, Apr 19, 2013 @ 03:42 PM

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There are no Federal regulations specifying what materials can be used to create  sound barriers along any stretch of U.S.

highway. State DOT officials choose the type of  highway traffic barriers that go up along their district roadways, often

basing their decision on multiple factors such as budget, aesthetics, durability, maintenance and public input.

The American public has a love-hate relationship with highway noise barriers. Those living closest to noisy highways and

rail tracks are most appreciative of sound barriers, which offer them the benefits of increased privacy, better views, a

quieter living environment and a healthier lifestyle.

 A primary consideration when determining the appropriate design for a noise barrier is the visual impact it will have on the

area. Placing a tall barrier adjacent to communities with one-story homes can impede the view and the whole aesthetic

dynamic. When it comes to addressing the noise barrier size issue in these communities, one answer is to provide

staggered elements, such as native vegetation and other appropriate landscape, to the foreground to reduce the barrier’s

visual impact.

Planning the placement of  sound barriers is extremely important when it comes to retaining a visually pleasing value

within the neighborhood. One rule of thumb that is often adhered to is to locate the noise barrier approximately four times

its height from adjacent homes and buildings, and to install landscaping close to the  barrier . 

Ideally, highway sound barriers should harmonize with their surroundings as much as possible. Some sound

abatement materials used in highway barriers are more adaptable than others; in addition to visual considerations,

planners look for  sound barrier materials that are low maintenance, easily installed and durable.

Sound barriers can have a psychological effect on motorists, a factor that is considered in the design process. The design

of noise barriers in dense urban settings will be different than the barriers installed in rural and suburban areas. On urban

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highways, sound barriers need to be designed to avoid monotony for the motorists, who tend to notice things like surface

texture, overall form and color. DOT planners have found that by varying the materials, forms and surface treatments of

the barriers, they can combat the “tunnel effect” that motorists experience driving long stretches alongside an unchanging

sound barrier wall.

Graffiti is always a potential problem with noise barriers. Using a sound barrier material that can be easily washed or

painted is an excellent preventative measure that planners can take, particularly in areas where graffiti is probably going

to be an issue.

Vegetation, if it is dense and tall, can provide a very small measure of noise dampening, but not nearly enough to achieve

any serious noise reductionalong a busy highway. The best idea is to use trees and vegetation to camouflage the barrier

for a visually pleasing solution to highway noise.

Most people who live or work near a highway noise barrier are pleased with the reduced levels of  traffic noise, and there

is a general consensus that the benefits provided by highway noise barriers far outweigh their disadvantages. While noise

barriers do not completely eliminate all highway traffic noise, they do reduce it substantially and improve the quality of

life for those who live and work next to busy highways or train rails.

Cellulose insulationFrom Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Cellulose insulation

The word cellulose comes from the French word for a living cellule and glucose, which is sugar. Buildinginsulation is low-thermal-conductivity material used to reduce building heat loss and gain, and reduce noisetransmission. Cellulose insulationis plant fiber used in wall and roof cavities to insulate, draught proof and reducenoise.

Contents

[hide] 

1 History of cellulose insulation 

2 Manufacture 

3 Products 

o  3.1 Dry cellulose (loose fill) 

o  3.2 Spray-applied cellulose (wet-spray cellulose) 

o  3.3 Stabilized cellulose 

o  3.4 Low-dust cellulose 

4 Advantages of cellulose insulation 

o  4.1 Thermal performance 

o  4.2 Long-term cost savings 

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o  4.3 Sound insulation 

o  4.4 Mold and pest control 

o  4.5 Fire retardation 

o  4.6 Vapor barrier  

5 Disadvantages 

o  5.1 Dust 

o  5.2 Installation expertise and building codes 

o  5.3 Slumping 

o  5.4 Weight 

o  5.5 Offgassing 

o  5.6 Mold 

6 Environmental properties 

o  6.1 Recycled content 

o  6.2 Low toxicity and environmental impact of raw materials 

o  6.3 Embodied energy 

o  6.4 Insulation is green 

7 Product safety 

8 References 

9 External links 

10 Further reading 

History of cellulose insulation[edit] 

Cellulose is among the oldest types of  building insulation material.[citation needed ] Many types of cellulosic materials havebeen used, including newspaper, cardboard, cotton, straw, sawdust, hemp and corncob. Monticello was insulatedwith a form of cellulose. Modern cellulose insulation, made with recycled newspaper using grinding and dustremoving machines and adding a fire retardant, began in the 1950s and came into general use in the US during the1970s.

The market for insulation increased following the oil embargo of 1973-74. The embargo caused energy costs forheating to skyrocket across the nation, which led to increased interest in energy conservation measures. Insulationgained significant national attention as a cheap and available technology to increase the energy efficiency of homes.In 1977, following a particularly severe winter, a tax credit was given for homeowners who installed insulation.

While in 1976 there were roughly 100 cellulose insulation firms with 125 plants, by 1978 there were more than 350firms with more than 500 plants1. Cellulose insulation was produced locally by small manufacturers who purchasedready-to-operate machines and offered a cheap and easy low-tech production process. Other than some constraintscreated by a shortage of boric acid for use as fire retardant, cellulose captured an increased share of the market dueto lower costs and its suitability for retrofits. Meanwhile fiberglass and rockwool producers found it difficult to keepup with the demand for insulation from their customers.

Due to complaints by retailers, contractors and consumers about price, safety and quality control problems, thefederal government began enacting insulation standards beginning in 1978. There was a great concern that thegrowth in cellulose manufactures was leading to improperly or insufficiently treating insulation against the threat offire even though reliable statistics on a national basis did not exist. This led to the Federal Consumer ProductsSafety Commission passing 16 CFR Part 1209, which sets safety standards covering four product attributes forcellulose insulation only: settled density, corrosiveness, critical radiant flux and smoldering combustion. Another

regulation passed was the “R-value Rule,” placing clear limitations on the claims that manufacturing and marketingfirms can make about their product.

The effect of regulations by the CPSC put most of the small producers of cellulose insulation out of business. Thecosts incurred by increasing fire testing made cellulose more expensive and the bad publicity helped decreasedemand. They were either unable to meet the testing requirements or they merged with other small manufacturers.In 1985 the CPSC asked Congress to repeal the flammability standard after further studies. By 1991 only 61cellulose producers still remained in the US.[1] 

The fiberglass industry meanwhile benefited from most of the regulations passed by the federal government. Theheavy lobbying by the more centralized fiberglass and mineral insulation manufacturers helped pass the tough firestandards for cellulose insulation. These standards were reinforced by technical bulletins published by the MineralInsulation Manufacturers Association (currently known as the North American Insulation Manufacturers Association)

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that promoted fire hazard claims against cellulose insulation. These claims were not independently verified, facedlittle scientific review, or were purposefully misleading and untrue .[citation needed ] 

Currently cellulose insulation has increased again in use in the United States. Part of the reason for this growth arestudies that suggest that cellulose may actually protect a building from damage in a fire better than fiberglassbecause cellulose is denser than fiberglass and doesn't allow the oxygen necessary to burn structural members.Several National Research Council Canada studies[2] have backed these claims. Another major reason for thecomeback of cellulose might be because of the increased interest in green building. Cellulose has the highestrecycled content of any insulation material and also has less embodied energy than fiberglass and other furnaceproduced mineral insulations.

Manufacture[edit] 

Cellulose insulation is often made by hammer milling waste newspaper . The newspaper is treated with chemicals,such as boric acid, to retard the spread of  fire. 

Products[edit] 

Four major types of loose-fill cellulose products have been developed under a variety of brand names. These aregenerally characterized as dry cellulose, spray applied cellulose, stabilized cellulose, and low dust cellulose. Thesetypes are used in different parts of a building and for different reasons.

Dry cellulose (loose fill)[edit] 

Dry cellulose is used in retrofitting old homes by blowing the cellulose into holes drilled into the tops of the walls. Itcan also be blown into a new wall construction by using temporary retainers or netting that is clamped in place thenremoved once the cellulose has reached the appropriate density. This form of application does settle as much as20% but the stated R-value of the cellulose is accurate after settling occurs. In addition, a dense-pack option can beused to reduce settling and further minimize air gaps. Dense-pack places pressure on the cavity, and should bedone by an experienced installer.

Loose fill in walls is an antiquated technique of using cellulose in wall cavities. The home performance industry andits accrediting bodies support the dense-pack standard of insulating wall cavities, which does not settle. This methodstops the stack effect and convective loops in wall cavities.

Spray-applied cellulose (wet-spray cellulose)[edit] 

Spray-applied cellulose is used for applying cellulose to new wall construction. The differences are the addition ofwater to the cellulose while spraying as well as adding some kind of moisture retardant such as chlorine [citation needed ] toprevent mold cultures. In some cases the insulation might also mix in a very small percentage of adhesive oractivate a dry adhesive present in the cellulose. Wet-spray allows application without the need for a temporaryretainer. In addition, wet-spray allows for an even better seal of the insulated cavity against air infiltration andeliminates settling problems. Wet-spray installation requires that the wall be allowed to dry for a minimum of 24hours (or until maximum of 25% moisture is reached) before being covered.[3] 

Stabilized cellulose[edit] 

Stabilized cellulose is used most often in attic/roof insulation. It is applied with a very small amount of water toactivate an adhesive of some kind. This reduces settling and decreases the amount of cellulose needed. This canprove advantageous at reducing the overall weight of the product on the ceiling drywall helping prevent possible

sag. This application is ideal for sloped roofs and has been approved for 5:12 (41.66%) slopes.

[3]

 Low-dust cellulose[edit] 

The last major type of cellulose insulation on the market is low-dust variety. Nuisance levels of dust are createdduring application of most types of dry insulation causing the need for simple dust masks to be worn duringinstallation. This kind of cellulose has a small percentage of oil or similar dust dampener added. This may also beappropriate to homes where people are sensitive to newsprint or paper dust (though new dust will not be createdafter installation).

 Advantages of cellulose insulation[edit] Thermal performance[edit] 

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The thermal performance of loose filled cellulose compares favorably to other types of low cost insulation, but islower than that of polyurethane and polyisocyanurate foams. The thermal conductivity of loose-fill cellulose isapproximately 40 mW/m·K (an R-value of 3.8 per inch) which is about the same as or slightly better than glass woolor rock wool. This doesn’t represent the whole picture of thermal performance. Other important aspects are how welthe building envelope is sealed[clarification needed ]from air infiltration, convective airflows, and thermal bridging.

Cellulose is very good at fitting around items in walls like pipes and wiring, leaving few air pockets that can reducethe overall efficiency of the wall. Dense pack cellulose can seal walls from air infiltration while providing the densityto limit convection, when installed properly. The University of Colorado School of Architecture and Planning did astudy that compared two seemingly identical test structures, one insulated with cellulose and the other withfiberglass. The cellulose insulation lost 26.4% less heat energy over time compared to the fiberglass insulation. Italso was shown to tighten the structure more than 30%.[4] Subsequent real world surveys have cellulose performing20-30% better at reducing energy used for heating than fiberglass.

Compared to closed cell, Polyurethane foam insulation (R=5.5 to 6.5 per inch), cellulose has a lower R-value perinch, but is much less expensive; foam has a higher cost per equivalent R-value. (needs citation)

Long-term cost savings[edit] 

 Annual savings from insulating vary widely and depend on several factors, including insulation thickness, originalwall performance, local climate, heating/cooling use, airtightness of other building elements and so on.

One installer claims cellulose insulation "can save homeowners 20 to 50 percent on their utility bills".[5] 

Sound insulation[edit]

 Insulation reduces sound travelling through walls and between floor levels. Cellulose provides mass and damping.This reduces noise in 2 ways, it reduces the lateral movement of  sheetrock and attenuates the passage of soundalong cavities. Cellulose is approximately three times denser than fiberglass, providing a slight improvement insound reduction.

Mold and pest control[edit] 

The borates in cellulose insulation provide added control against mold. Installations have shown that even severalmonths of  water  saturation and improper installation did not result in mold.[6] 

It is a common misconception that the mere presence of crude borates in cellulose insulation provides pest controlproperties to the product. While boric acid itself does kill self-grooming insects if ingested, it must be presented to aninsect in both sufficient concentration and in an ingestible form in order to achieve insect fatality. Proper testing of

products containing borates must be performed in order to determine whether dosage and presentation aresufficient to kill insects. Once tested, registration with the EPA as a pesticide is required before a product may betouted as having pesticidal capabilities in the USA.

Fire retardation[edit] 

The borate treatment also gives cellulose the highest (Class I) fire safety rating. Many cellulose companies use ablend of  ammonium sulfate and borate.

Vapor barrier [edit] 

 A vapor barrier may not be needed with cellulose insulation. For example, recent studies have shown that airmovement is the primary method by which excessive moisture can accumulate in mild marine climate such asPortland, OR, USA.[7]  An insulation that fills the wall cavity completely (such as cellulose or foam) can help prevent

moisture problems. Recommendations against using vapor barriers with cellulose insulation are supported bystudies, even though they classify cellulose as vapor permeable.[8][9] 

In addition, cellulose acts to distribute moisture throughout the cavity, preventing the buildup of moisture in one areaand helping to dry the moisture more quickly. Cellulose manufacturers do not recommend the installation of a vaporbarrier with cellulose.[10] 

Most US city codes will require a vapor barrier for any external wall. Most US cities will consider an appeal of therequirement if proper reasoning is provided. In March 2008 The US city of Portland, Oregon, approved an appeal towaive the requirement for a vapor barrier/retarder when using cellulose insulation. The appeal can be viewed inthePortland Bureau of Development Services  search form by searching for appeal ID 4996. Fundamental to anyappeal is mentioning that recent studies show air movement is the primary problem for vapor, that cellulose is aneffective barrier to air movement, and that cellulose acts to diffuse vapor.

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Disadvantages[edit] 

Cellulose has a few disadvantages. As compared to other insulation options, the R-value of 3.6 to 3.8 per inch isgood but not the best. Cost per R-value is good. Spray foam has many of the same benefits as wet-spray cellulose(such as sealing the cavity), while having advantages in R-value and rigidity and air sealing. Many spray foamsutilize an environmentally harmful blowing agent, such as Enovate HFC, cellulose does not.

Dust[edit] 

Cellulose contains some small particles which can be blown into the house through inadequate seals around fixtures

or minute holes.[11] 

Installation expertise and building codes[edit] 

In some areas it can be difficult to locate installers that are experienced with cellulose. An experienced installerunderstands how to correctly dense-pack loose fill dry cellulose, how to best apply stabilized (partly wet) celluloseon sloped surfaces, and the proper time required for wet-spray cellulose to dry.

 As with other non-batt insulation, US city and regional/state building codes may not be updated for celluloseinsulation. Homeowners should call the city to verify that the insulation will be approved, and it may be necessary toprovide product specifications to the city. This is not difficult, and the installer and the manufacturer should both bewilling to handle this process, saving the homeowner any true effort.

Slumping[edit] 

If improperly installed, loose fill cellulose could settle after application. In some situations this could leave areas ofwall uninsulated. With correct training in installation methods and quality control techniques this is ruled out byinstalling to tested densities preventing any future settlement.

Weight[edit] 

For a given R-value, loose cellulose weighs roughly three times as much per square foot as loosefiberglass.[12] Ceiling structures should be inspected for signs of weakness before choosing a material for insulatingthe ceilings of existing structures.[13] 

Offgassing[edit] 

Many cellulose companies use a blend of  ammonium sulfate and borate for fire retardation. Although ammoniumsulfate is normally odorless, unexplained emission of ammonia and a resulting ammonia smell has been found in

some cases.[14] 

Mold[edit] 

There is some evidence of increased mold infestation inside buildings insulated with wet spray dense pack celluloseespecially when used with a vapor barrier .[15] 

Environmental properties[edit] Recycled content[edit] 

Cellulose is composed of 75-85% recycled paper fiber, usually post-consumer waste newsprint. The other 15% is afire retardant such as boric acid or ammonium sulphate. Cellulose has the highest recycled content of any insulationavailable. For example, fiberglass has a maximum amount of 50% recycled content.

Low toxicity and environmental impact of raw materials[edit] 

The non-recycled components of cellulose insulation are still environmentally preferable to the raw materials of mostother insulation types. Unlike foam insulations, many of which use HFC or  HCFC blowing agents[citation needed ] whichhave global warming potential higher than that of carbon dioxide, cellulose does not produce significant gaseousemissions.

Toxicity of the raw materials of insulation types is typically highest during manufacture or installation. Neither is asignificant issue with cellulose.

OSHA states that cellulose is a dust nuisance, requiring a dust mask during installation. This compares veryfavorably to the potential NIOSH cancer risk of fiberglass.

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Embodied energy[edit] 

The embodied energy of cellulose insulation is the lowest of the popular insulation types. It requires 20 to 40 timesas much energy to produce furnace-made insulation materials compared to cellulose.[citation needed ] Cellulose is made byelectrically powered machines while mineral insulation is made in fuel powered furnaces,[citation needed ] reducing thisadvantage to a degree, as electricity generation is less than 50% efficient. If electricity is sourced from renewableenergy sources, the efficiency of electric production does not matter as efficiency is not a precondition forsustainability.[citation needed ] Cellulose is made with locally available paper,[citation needed ] while mineral insulation factories shipmaterials and products over greater distances.

Cellulose insulation uses borates for fire retardation. Borates are a non-renewable mined product.

Insulation is green[edit] 

 All insulation helps make buildings more energy efficient. Using cellulose insulation can contribute to obtainingLEED credits in the US Green Building Council certification program. It can earn credit in two categories: the Energyand Atmosphere energy performance category and the Materials and Resources recycled content category.

Product safety [edit] 

Cellulose insulation can be very dusty during installation and it is recommended [citation needed ] that a standard dust maskbe worn while working. There is slight concern [citation needed ] over the off gassing of ink from the newspapers but thematerial is sealed behind walls, and no studies have shown this as an issue.

Coat of Silence™ 

Spray-On Sound Reducing Coating

Introducing Coat of Silence –  the easy to use, spray on coating for all your interior sound reduction projects.

.  As Simple as Applying Paint

.  One Person Process

.  Consistency in Performance

.  High Degree of Sound Reduction

.  Reduce Noise Transmission

.  Cost Effective

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.  Mold, Mildew and Water-Resistant

.  Class A Fire Retardant