Interesting facts about sound and sound insulation

The standard sound level difference is a key measure for evaluating the sound insulation of building components, particularly in the field of structural sound insulation. It is specified in decibels [dB] and describes how effectively a building component — such as a wall, window, or door — prevents outside noise from entering the interior. The higher the standard sound level difference value, the better the sound insulation effect of the building component, as less noise is transmitted from outside to inside. A high value is therefore particularly advantageous in noisy environments, such as busy roads or near railway tracks.

It is important to know that an increase in the standard sound level difference of 3 dB corresponds to a doubling of the sound intensity. However, the human ear perceives this change as only a slight increase in volume. Only a reduction of about 10 dB is perceived as halving the perceived volume. These relationships are crucial for correctly classifying the significance of dB values and realistically assessing the effectiveness of sound insulation measures.

When assessing noise levels indoors, it is also important to note that not only external noise but also noise generated by the ventilation unit itself plays a role. Without specific comparative measurements, it is often difficult in practice to distinguish between these two sources of noise. In addition, measuring devices also detect sound components that are not perceptible to the human ear, which can lead to deviating measurement results.

Another important aspect is the positioning of the ventilation units in the room. The installation location has a significant influence on the perceived volume, as sound reflections can occur on walls, ceilings, and corners. For example, a fan installed in a corner of a room can appear up to 9 dB louder than a unit mounted on a free-standing wall. The size of the room and its furnishings also play a role: in small, sound-reflective rooms such as tiled bathrooms, a sound source appears significantly louder than in large, well-insulated living rooms with carpets, curtains, and upholstered furniture, which absorb sound and thus make the background noise more pleasant.

⇒ Note: We explain how to position our ventilation units correctly in a room in detail in the document “Room positioning/installation of ventilation units”

 

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