05/06
New study confirms drapilux® fabrics sound insulations properties
High ceilings, large rooms and smooth floors are the hallmark of contemporary architecture. However, this exciting look has one major drawback – namely is impact on a room’s acoustics, an aspect that is often overlooked during the design process. Unfortunately, it’s exactly this kind of large rooms with minimal furniture and smooth floors, which increase noise levels and create an unpleasant echo effect.

As a result, certain sounds become harsh and noise levels quickly rise – undermining the very atmosphere the architect is trying to create. The are certain measures that can be adopted to influence the acoustics of a room but until recently the textile branch was unable to offer solutions such as noise absorbing fabrics that would both reduce sound levels and enhance the visual aspect of a room.

Noise pollution because to a lack of proper sound absorption is exceedingly common both in the workplace and at home. Noise spreads easily through many buildings such as hospitals, canteens, restaurants, offices, doctors ‘surgeries, hotel foyers and even theatres.

A room’s acoustics are not only important for communication but also the way that an individual feels in a particular space is strongly influenced by noise levels.

There are many different sources of noise. In hospitals or treatment rooms, the sound of footsteps can be magnified to an unpleasant level because of the need for smooth floors in order to meet hygiene standards.

This kind of flooring is also used in institutions and old people’s homes creating a sense of being in a vast, hall-like room. Concrete, glass, plaster and parquet-floors absorb no sound whatsoever and noise from conversations, the clatter of crockery, and high heels can combine to create a cacophony which is particularly disturbing for hearing-aid wearers.

Addressing this problem has proved difficult so far mainly because noise absorption solutions are often less than pleasing from an aesthetic or architectural perspective. For example, the use of a carpet while having a pronounced effect on noise reduction is absolutely impractical for many of the buildings listed above because of its visual and design impact not to mention hygiene issues.

Now, however, the fabric branch has come up with a solution in the form of drapilux® acoustics fabrics, which satisfy both the architectural and acoustic issues. These fabrics have excellent sound absorption properties, which have now been proven following new research carried out by the Fraunhofer Institute (1). drapilux®, drapilux® air, and drapilux® bioaktiv to further enhance quality of life.

The study represents the scientific confirmation of years of positive everyday practical experience with drapilux®’s sound absorbing fibre yarns.

These fabrics enhance the visual aspect of any room as they come in a wide range of colours and stylish designs that can be adapted to suit any environment and create an individual look in any space. Available as curtains, pull-blinds, room dividers and wall-and floor-coverings, the fabrics can be used in many innovative ways, for example in the shape of a sail. Moreover, fabric wall coverings are particularly favoured at present by avant-garde architecture as they introduce the fair of an earlier era to bare walls.

(1) The study was carried out by Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft, the largest organizations for applied research in Europe. The study itself was titled: “Sound absorption ability of soft furnishings under echo circumstances according to DIN EN ISO 354: 2003 and DIN EN 11 654: 1997” August 2005, Stuttgaart.

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