Metropolitan Insulation Blog

07
Mar
2015

Noise Management in the Planning System

Local Planning Authorities and professional advisors in the field of new planning and acoustic design, have asked for additional guidance on new changes in the planning system.

The Professional Guidance on Planning and Noise (ProPG: Planning & Noise) will aim to give good practice advise to the likes of Metropolitan Insulation so that we can ensure that we are up to date with the most recent changes in the law and on the ‘application of the land-use planning process to encourage good acoustic design.

This initiative is ran by a steering group of members made up from the Association of Noise Consultants (ANC), Institute of Acoustics (IOA) and Chartered Institute of Environmental Health (CIEH).

You can read the full press release from the ProPG: Planning and Noise initiative here.

It is expected that the guidance will be published in early 2015. The concern amongst noise reduction practitioners is that the new policy objectives do not provide technical guidance. This has created confusion for developers and the concern that development may be refused planning consent and that the whole system will be slowed further at a time when new housing is such a high profile concern for the UK economy.

Posted by admin in Soundproofing
21
Feb
2015

Can Plants Be A Viable Form Of Acoustic Insulation

As the world becomes more eco conscious, the search is always on for materials that can replace man-made materials with materials that are organic or can be recycled. The acoustic insulation industry is no different and there are currently engineers exploring the idea of plants being used as an alternative method to reduce noise.

The research is being carried out at the UPV/EHU-University of the Basque Country by Zaloa Azkorra, an agricultural engineer. During research into the potential of using plants as insulation, it was concluded that there was “great potential” in using plants for the purpose.

In fact it is proposed that the use of plants could help improve quality of life in homes and offices in a number of ways including, noise reduction, increasing biodiversity, controlling rainwater as well asreducing waste and pollution.

The idea does, however, have its drawbacks. If plants are used for wall insulation then it can be difficult to position them so that they receive enough water and thrive in the polyurethane boxes they will be placed in. Wall insulation made from plants has the potential to become a ‘cool’ alternative to usual methods even if it will be more expensive to maintain the systems needed to maintain their effectiveness.

More information can be found here: http://www.azobuild.com/news.aspx?newsID=19444

Posted by admin in Soundproofing
20
Feb
2015

How To Keep The Peace In An Open Plan Office

Open plan offices can be far nicer to work in than being cooped up in smaller rooms. They can also help boost creativity and interaction between employees but there are some disadvantages, one of them being noise!

Offices can be noisy places and if you happen to have several employees all working in the same open plan environment, then things can get too noisy. Not everyone in the office will appreciate the creative noise, the buzzing of phones, the clanging of photocopiers or the sound of knives and forks as people increasingly choose to eat at their desks.

Fortunately there are things that you can do to minimise the disturbance for people who really want a bit of peace and quiet, without moving their desk into the broom cupboard. Acoustic insulation is one of them.

The key is to cut down the level of ambient noise to the point where everyone is happy. Simple things like adding carpets and reducing hard surfaces that don’t absorb noise can help. It is also worth introducing some plants and perhaps curtains and other soft furnishings.

One of the most effective things you can do alongside this is to reconstruct office walls so that theyhave larger air gaps between them. These can be constructed from various materials including mineral wool, cork and rockwool. You can even get sound proofing paint!

If you want to find out more about office sound insulation please contact us and we will be happy to advise on ways you can reduce noise.

Posted by admin in Soundproofing
16
Jan
2015

5 Steps To Insulating Your Home

Something as straightforward as insulating your loft correctly can save you £250 on heating bills according to the Energy Trust. This significant financial saving is just one reason to check if your loft is insulated or if the insulation you have is effective.

If your loft is insulated as all new build homes are today, then there is no need to worry, but older properties may well need an upgrade in loft insulation to improve energy efficiency. Unless you are confident that you can do the job to the required standard, then it is worth asking a professional to install insulation for you.

If you do decide to go it alone and do it yourself here are 5 steps to remember:

  • Check that your roof space doesn’t have any damp creeping in before you start your loft insulation project. Damp can lead to rot and applying insulation over this is not a good idea.
  • Wear protective gear such as overalls, gloves and a dust mask to prevent fibres irritating the skin and your airways. There are alternative insulation materials available such as sheep’s wool and recycled newspapers that may be more suitable if you don’t like the thought of handling mineral wool.
  • You should make accurate measurements of your joists and the floor of your loft to make sure insulation is cut to the correct size and fits properly.
  • It is recommended that the depth of insulation for mineral wool insulation is 27cm. This can vary, however, depending on the material you are using.
  • If you already have some loft insulation, you don’t need to remove it. Just add the new material on the top. Don’t put boards on top of your insulation as this will compress it and reduce its effectiveness.
Posted by admin in Home Insulation
15
Jan
2015

Global Growth In Acoustic Insulation Market…

…Expected To Reach $4,160 Million

A report released this month highlights that demand for acoustic insulation is expected to grow by nearly 6% globally by 2019.

Strict new government regulations are driving growth in all areas of the building insulation industry according to the report. Rising concerns about the health of people living and working in poorly insulated buildings and the need for greater energy efficiency are further reasons for a dramatic risein demand.

While growth is expected globally, Europe currently has the biggest market demand for acoustic insulation. The continent accounts for nearly 38% of total global consumption of insulation materials. Alongside Europe, there is also increasing demand for acoustic insulation in developing nations and innovations and expansion in this area will be further drivers of insulation industry growth in the next four years according to the report.

Asian countries for example have seen a rapid growth in their middle class populations and this has fuelled demand for more comfortable lifestyles. Corresponding growth in the manufacturing industries of developing nations in Asia as well as the building and construction industries has also contributed to further demand for building insulation and associated materials.

Posted by admin in Home Insulation, Thermal Insulation
22
Oct
2014

Gatwick Residents To Receive £3,000…

…For Insulation And Double Glazing

Living on a flight path isn’t fun if you don’t like noise and you happen to live one the of the UK’s busiest airports.

To improve matters for local residents, Gatwick Airport are giving residents £3,000 towards getting their homes insulated against noise from the many planes which pass over 24 hours a day seven days a week.

The offer is open to anyone who has a home near the airport and covered by the noise contour map.

Even though the amount of noise generated by modern commercial airlines has fallen by half in recent years with advances in aircraft technology, guidelines have been updated and approved by the Secretary of State for the Environment and the funding received by residents will be part of satisfying the new guidelines.

The loudest noise levels have reduced from 90km² to 41km² near Gatwick, but the airport remains committed to finding other ways to reduce noise. One is to have aircraft descend gradually and studies have also been commissioned to look at noise in particular areas of the airport.

Whatever the measures put in place, insulating against noise is an ideal quick fix way to make living near Gatwick a little easier on the ears!

Posted by admin in Home Insulation
09
Oct
2014

Households Offered Up To £7,600 Towards Energy Saving Improvements

Being ‘green’ doesn’t cost the earth as they say and it is about to cost a lot less now that households in the UK are being offered money for making energy efficient improvements to their homes and this includes home insulation.

The Green Deal fund has received an extra £100m in cash which will be made available for anyone who wants to make energy efficient changes to their property.

It is possible to apply for up to £7,600 towards the cost of anything from boilers to insulation and this will include £500 for those who have moved home within the last 12 months.

The fund is not means tested which is good news for people who may not have met the criteria for other state hand outs aimed at improving the energy efficiency of households.

The money will remain available until it runs out, so if you are planning to get your home insulated it would be wise to start the application sooner rather than later even though it will be November before it is revealed how people can apply.

The government has every incentive to offer households a cheaper way to insulate their homes with poor insulation responsible for wasting huge amounts of energy each year. Any reduction in energy usage is welcome given the government’s commitment to reducing CO2 emissions.

Posted by admin in Home Insulation
21
Sep
2014

Thermal Insulation

Thermal insulation is a term used for products that reduce fluctuations of internal temperatures by acting as a barrier between the weather outside and the inside of the home. There are many items in the home that use insulation like boilers and pipes, but buildings need help to be more energy efficient. Home insulation reduces the amount of heat escaping in the winter and protects it from absorbing heat in the summer.

Most insulation products are made by using glass or rock that has been melted down at temperatures well in excess of 1,000°C and spun into strands of wool. A binding agent is then added to hold the strands together. These strands are formed into rolls to fit between ceiling joists to install in cavity walls.

In addition to temperature control, insulation can also be used to control sound. Acoustic insulation is can be found in walls, ceilings and even floors, but specialised soundproofing is usually reserved for special areas like home theatres.

If you live in an area where there is extreme external noise from cars, airplanes, trains or industrial machinery, you may also want to look at ways to keep the noise pollution out and your sanity intact.

Luckily Metropolitan Insulation can help with any of your needs, whether it is for domestic, commercial or even agricultural.

Posted by admin in Thermal Insulation
01
Sep
2014

Metropolitan Sound Proofing

If you are thinking about soundproofing a home, office or industrial space, consider exactly what kind of noise you want to stop, where it’s going coming from.

Usually, the majority of sound volume comes through your windows especially old single glazed, untreated windows. Another source may be through walls and ceilings. Varied frequencies are transmitted more effectively through certain types of materials. If you’re unsure where the sound is coming from, an assessment by a professional soundproofed will help you to find out.

Flanking noise involves sound waves being transmitted through gaps in walls, vents, plumbing, power switches and outlets.

Structural noise is generated by banging on one side of a wall/floor to the other side (example: people walking above particularly on a bare floor).

Windows
Double or triple glazed windows will block sound effectively. The layers of air provide a barrier for any sound passing through. It’s difficult for sound vibrations to travel through dense material-air-dense material than to pass a vibration through a single-paned window. The majority of the sound’s energy is lost in the passing between the different mediums with double glazing.

Walls
Soundproofing your walls may be easy or very difficult, depending on what stage of construction you are in. It’s considerably easier to install soundproofing while the framing is exposed. Retrofitting soundproofing is possible, but you run the risk of other issues hidden behind the wall that may have a negative impact on the effectiveness of the soundproofing.

Ceilings
Ceiling spaces are fairly simple to soundproof because they are easy to access regardless of what stage of construction your home is in. But ceilings can present a few issues like ductwork and ventilation, which may still allow a certain amount of flanking noise through.

Floor coverings
There are many ways inside your home that sound energy can bounce off. Think of a room where there are soft furnishings, curtains and carpet. There is considerably less echo than a very stark room with bare floors, hard furnishing and exposed windows.

Once you know where you need soundproofing, the next step is to get in touch with professionals who can advise you on the best materials to use. Metropolitan Insulation can help.

Posted by admin in Soundproofing
21
Aug
2014

The History of Home Insulation

Exactly where did modern insulation evolve from? Although it’s doubtful this burning question keeps you awake at night, there is a very interesting story behind insulation and how the UK could benefit if every home invested in this vital, energy saving product. Have a look at this infographic for a walk through history. And if you would like to know more about how you can keep your home warmer, cooler and more energy efficient, call Metropolitan Insulation today.

Posted by admin in Home Insulation