Disturbing noise from hotels’ lack of soundproofing is one of the top complaints among guests. Along with poor WiFi and cleanliness, noise is one of the main reasons why guests are not only unhappy with their stay, but also write negative reviews.
When you stay in a hotel in Greece, regardless the reason of your stay (vacation or work), you want peace and quiet. According to Consumer Reports, the quality of sleep is one of the top things that guests expect when staying in a hotel. These two facts indicate that proper soundproofing of hotels from noises coming from adjacent rooms or the environment (e.g. a busy street), prescribes a quiet and calm environment.
About sound Insulation
It is well known that sound travels in waves. Soundproofing essentially acts as a barrier that prevents these sound waves from entering an adjacent room. This is mainly achieved in the following ways:
- Absorption: Adding insulating materials such as fiberglass & mineral wool to absorb sound and prevent it from traveling from room to room.
- Damping: Sound waves create vibrations. By adding damping elements, these vibrations are reduced or even eliminated, effectively creating a non-vibrating barrier.
- Isolation: With this method the walls are practically separated. Usually, the two layers of plasterboard are connected as a single panel. With this method, the two pieces of plasterboard are separated and a layer of insulation is created between them.
- Mass: Using thicker and heavier materials, with high density, serves to attenuate the energy of the sound waves.
The contribution of ALPHA Acoustiki
Doors and windows are often the main causes of airborne noise transmission, as well as possibly the weaker soundproofing point compared to e.g. a wall or the floor. Depending on the requirements and the location of the room, the corresponding soundproofing capacity of the doors is selected, always in accordance with building regulations. The ALPHAfon AD soundproof doors offer a wide range of options depending on the application. It is also worth noting that a solid door will keep unwanted sound out of the room, but if there are gaps around the frame, they will negate the door’s soundproofing ability. The door’s soundproofing should therefore be examined as a single system of case & leaf and not individually as the acoustic characteristics of each part of them. They should also be accompanied by corresponding certificates for their soundproofing characteristics.
An interesting and modern proposal to limit the noise coming from the windows is the use of sound insulating/sound-absorbing curtains. Curtains, can not only block the light so guests can sleep more comfortably, but will also improve the room’s acoustics and isolate it from the outside noises. The new sound absorbing and sound insulating curtains ALPHAcoustic Acu, are available in a variety of colors and types of fabric, to match harmoniously with the architecture of the space.
The masonry should be constructed with specific layering and materials, depending on the case and its location (external, internal, etc.). The general rule is to add more mass to the wall. This ensures the necessary soundproofing. For dry building constructions, the soundproofing viscoelastic membrane ISOLFon Barrier is one of the most easy-to-use soundproofing materials on the market. If it is a major renovation, the option of adding shock absorbing elements to the wall frames can also be considered. These will prevent unwanted vibrations from spreading from one space to another.
To avoid the transmission of impact noise, it is also necessary to reinforce the floor with special soundproofing materials. They must combine a large surface mass, excellent elasticity, good mechanical strength, as well as moisture resistance. One product that combines these elements is ISOLfon ReRub, which is also environmentally friendly. Derived from recycled car tires, it is 100% recyclable, and contains no fibers or other materials harmful to health.
Don’t forget that prevention is always better than having constantly to deal with the problem.
Ask the Experts!
The above suggestions are indicative guidelines and can in no way replace a complete building sound insulation study. Each application is unique and should be analyzed in depth. Every hotel, whether it is under construction or under renovation, should be examined based on various factors, such as its location, customer’s requirements, applicable Greek legislation, etc..
For more technical information and guidance on the optimal techno-economical acoustic intervention for the soundproofing of your premises, do not hesitate to contact us at 2106779875 or at [email protected].
