Noise Control in Residential Buildings: July 2020

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Noise Control in Residential Buildings
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Running head: NOISE CONTROL IN RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS 1
Aayush Adhikari
Bishal Thapa
Department of Civil and Geomatics Engineering
Institute of Engineering (IOE), Pokhara

NOISE CONTROL IN RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS 2
Abstract
Acoustics play a vital role in design and construction as they can significantly define the
ambiance of any residential building. While sound as a whole may not necessarily be unsettling,
the excessive unpleasant sound turns to noise and can vitiate the ambiance of a building. It is
therefore of paramount importance that the acoustic factors of a building be considered and
methods to mitigate the noise be implemented where necessary. In this article, we shall discuss
the various methods which may be brought about regarding the noise control in residential
buildings while also considering their efficacy.
Keywords: Noise Control, Acoustics, Site planning, Construction, Barriers.

Sound is created when the surrounding air molecules are vibrated by external energy.
While sound altogether is unavoidable in any residential building, excessive and unpleasant
sound i.e. noise is undesirable. Whether the noise produced is coming from the traffic nearby,
airports, factories, events, or functions, excessive noise is undesirable to any resident. When
exposed to such undesirable noise for a prolonged period, the noise can cause irritation, fatigue,
degradation in listening power, and some cases even permanent damage to the ear. It has been
observed that the sounds above 90 decibels can cause chronic hearing damage. In modern times,
with the recognition of sound pollution, the realization that noise is a health hazard has also
taken place. As such, it has become pressing that the acoustics of a residential building and the
effects it may have on the residents be taken into consideration.

Architectural Design for Noise Control
The architectural design of any building can play a vital role in noise control. It deals
with proper placement of the relevant rooms and elements like doors and windows, in order to
reduce the unwanted and excessive noise and hence provide a more ambient environment. This is
much more economical compared to other methods.
The following ideas during design may be put to practice for an acoustically whole
building:
● During design, the placement of rooms should be done in a manner such that the
rooms which are more likely to be affected by the noise (bedrooms, living room,
and dining room) be placed at maximum distance from the source of the noise.
The lesser affected rooms (kitchen, playroom, bathroom) be placed nearer to the
source, and as such, they can provide an effective shield between the source and
the noise.
Figure 1 Example of acoustically sound placement of rooms

● Walls which act as the major insulation between the noise and the room itself
should be designed in such a manner that they have the least possible number of
openings towards the source of the noise. The wall cavities like doors and
windows bring down the effectiveness of the wall in keeping the noise away.
● The presence of natural barriers in the design of a one-story house can effectively
block the noise coming from the sources. However, they will be less effective in
the case of high rise buildings.
Figure 2 Use of natural barriers

● During the design part, it is imperative that the placement of balconies also be
given much consideration. The improper placement of balconies as shown in the
figure can lead to the noise being drawn into the building instead of keeping it
away in case of tall buildings. Therefore, the balconies should be placed away
from the source of noise which will help to reduce the noise levels.
Figure 3 Role of balconies in noise control

● Finally, having a courtyard or open space in and around the house can also be put to
practice. The courtyard will provide distance from the source of noises and as such the
building will be less disposed to high levels of noise. However, it is not practicable where
there is not adequate space for the construction.
Pros. The advantages of using architectural design for noise control are:
● It is one of the most economically feasible methods.
● It is easy to put to practice as the only requirement is that of an acoustical
consultant.
● It is practiced during the design of a building so there is no hassle of extra
construction or expenditure.
Cons. The disadvantages of using architectural design for noise control are:
● It has limited effectiveness against multiple sources of noise.
● It may be difficult to implement in the present context of rapid urbanization.
Sound absorption
The sound-absorbing ability of any building element needs to be measured using a certain
unit or a parameter. The American Society of Testing and Measurement put forward a class
rating that proves helpful in our quest to study the sound absorption ability of any building
element. According to it, the sound absorption of any element can be measured in terms of the
Sound Transmission Class (STC). It is a unit that directly corresponds to the number of decibels
of sound which is reduced when sound passes through a building element. For example, if a
sound of 70 decibels passes through a wall and the internal sound is of 50 decibels, then it can be
concluded that the wall has a Sound Transmission Class value of 20.(Federal Highway
Administration, 1972) This can prove to be particularly effective for acoustical planners.
Construction techniques in acoustical planning
The use of proper construction techniques in a building can play a huge role in noise
reduction. During the construction period, it is necessary to carefully plan the various building
elements like the wall, doors, windows, etc. keeping in mind their function as noise reducers.
The improper construction techniques may not only fail to stop the excessive noise but also lead
to the building being noisier. As any kind of sound that enters into the building must pass
through one or the other building element, we can use the proper construction technique and
hence help to reduce the noise levels.
Construction Techniques for Various Building Elements
For ample noise reduction and acoustic wellness of a building, the building elements
should be constructed with proper planning and techniques. Some of which we will discuss
below:
Walls. Walls are perhaps the most essential component in noise reduction for any
building. They are responsible for blocking most of the sources of noise and keeping
it away. If there are any frailties in the wall, the structure itself may also be
jeopardized. Walls are the most effective in keeping noise away and here we shall
discuss some methods which can be used to further improve their abilities:
● Increasing the thickness of a wall increases mass of the wall which in turn
increases its sound insulation and this helps to further reduce the noise.
● Airspace can be provided in between two layers of the wall. The air in between
the layers helps to insulate the noise. It is economical.

● In walls where studs are used, it is advisable to increase the spacing between them
to provide more insulation to the noise.
● Increasing the airspace between the walls (where used) and providing a blanket of
sound-absorbing material such as wool can also be done where necessary.
● Finally, the wall should be made free of cracks and the edges should be sealed to
make the most of its insulating capacity.
Figure 4 Noise mitigation techniques for wall

Windows. Windows are the most vulnerable element in noise control. They not only
bring about cavities in the wall but also have very little sound insulation themselves.
Thus the proper construction techniques and plans must be practiced to ensure that
the windows do not degrade the insulation of the wall and also to make the most of
the insulation ability of windows.
● Placement of windows must be given proper thought. They should be avoided where
possible and should be kept away from possible sources of noise.
● The size of the windows is another aspect to be considered. The larger size allows for
more noise to pass through and so the window must be made of optimum size.
● The windows must be made sealable so that they can be opened when necessary but
closed when required.
● Also, the glass used in the window can be altered. The use of double-glazed glass or
even thicker glass can significantly improve the sound insulation of a window.
Doors. Although doors are inevitably the major pathway of letting noise in, they are
much more complicated to handle for noise control. We can however take the following steps to
ensure some effort for noise control is made:
● Solid soundproof doors, although expensive, are perhaps the best choice for noise
control regarding doors.
● Gasket stops can be used on doors to ensure the doors are properly sealed and noise is
not let in.
● Also, the placement of doors is a vital aspect. Doors should be placed far from the
source of noise where possible.

Ceilings and Floors. On buildings where the noise sources may come from overhead or
beneath the building, necessary steps may have to be taken.
● The use of thick concrete slabs in ceilings or floors can be done to reduce the noise.
● Also, false ceilings and false floors can be put to practice.
Masking. Noise masking is basically just the covering up the noise coming from the
source by the use of music, electronics devices, and such.

Acoustical Site Planning
Acoustical site planning refers to placing proposed development on a site such that
maximum advantage is taken of acoustical isolation for both interior and exterior open spaces. It
includes:
● Placing as much distance as possible between the noise source like traffic and
noise-sensitive area;
● Placing noise compatible activities like commercial facilities, parking spaces
between a noise source and noise-sensitive areas;
● Using buildings as barriers;
● Using noise-sensitive buildings to face away from the noise.
Following are the methods of acoustical site planning:
Distance
By increasing distance between a residential building and a potential source of unwanted
noise, noise can be effectively reduced. Doubling the distance from a noise source can reduce
its intensity by as much as 6 dB. (Federal Highway Administration, 1972)
Figure 5 Effect of distance on sound intensity

In the case of skyscrapers and other tall buildings, it is by perhaps the most practical technique
that can be put to practice as any other method of noise mitigation seems very problematic to
be put to practice.
Noise Compatible Land Uses as Buffers:
Placing noise compatible activities between residential zones and noise source, adjacent
communities are protected from noise sources like highway and airports. This increases the
distance between the noise source and noise-sensitive establishments. Furthermore, facilities
constructed between them may act as a noise barrier.
Figure 6 Garage is kept between the highway and residential zone

Pros. Advantages of using noise compatible land use as a buffer are:
● Along with reducing the impact of noise, noise compatible land uses can further
enhance communities by providing space for essential infrastructures and services
like parking spaces and supermarkets.
● Planned and predetermined ways of land usage allow for greater development
flexibility of neighboring communities.
Cons. Demerits of using noise compatible land use as a buffer are:
● Enough land may not be available.
Cost: Cost of using noise compatible land use as the buffer is low, as only expenses are fees of
the acoustical consultant and the site planner.
Buildings as Noise Shields
The concept of using building while are less sensitive to noise as the shields for
mitigating the noise that may reach the noise sensitive building is a feasible one. One study
shows that a two-story building can reduce noise levels on the side of the building away from the
noise source by about 13dBA.(Hans et al., 1963)
Pros. Benefits of using buildings as noise shields are:
● Using buildings eliminates the need for other sound barriers.
● Urban areas lacking space for other measures can adopt this measure to deal with
the noise of a bustling urban area.
Cons. Disadvantages of using buildings as noise shields are:
● If the buildings used as a shield are noise sensitive, they have to be
soundproofed.
● Gaps between buildings will reduce the effectiveness of the noise shield.
Construction. Pre-existing buildings or new buildings can be used to insulate the inner area from
noise.
Cost. In preplanned places, the incurred cost is that of an acoustic planner only. However, in places
where buildings as noise shields are used at later stages of development, the cost of repurposing a
preexisting building and cost of soundproofing a building used for noise-sensitive activities should
also be considered.
Planned unit development and residential cluster development
Planned unit developments (PUDs) and cluster developments are forms of land design
that usually focus on the integration of the natural features of a site with the new development to
be constructed on the site.
Cluster (or Clustering) is a site-planning technique that concentrates buildings and
structures in specific areas on a lot, site, or parcel to allow the remaining land to be used for
recreation, open space, or preservation of features or structures with environmental, historical,
cultural, or other significance.
Maintaining adequate distance by keeping open spaces between noise source and
residence, PUD, and cluster development can be used as a proactive measure to deal with noise.
Pros. advantages of using planned unit development and residential cluster development
as noise shields are:
● The appearance of communities can be maintained properly.
● Planned and predetermined ways of land usage allow for greater development
flexibility of neighboring communities.

Cons. Disadvantages of using planned unit development and residential cluster
development as noise shields are:
● Due to the positioning of open spaces closer to the noise source, noise-sensitive
recreational activities may be hindered.
Construction. Construction of planned unit development and residential cluster
development is dependent on long term planning. It requires foresight from planners, central
government, local bodies, and citizens.
Cost. It depends on local factors like the size of the area, planned zones, land
acquisition, manpower available.

Figure 7 Planned unit development and residential cluster development

Barriers
Barriers are the obstructions placed between the source of a sound and the receiver(Federal
Highway Administration, 1972). To be effective, barrier height must cover the line of sight
between them. The most commonly used barriers are earth berms and solid walls. Absorptive
sound barriers are better than reflective ones as these reduce the chances of formation of the echo
chamber.
To achieve a 5-decibel reduction of noise, a barrier must be built at the line of sight (and
hearing) of the average individual. The primary determinant of its effectiveness is its height: every
additional meter above the line of sight reduces the sound by an additional 1.5 decibels.
Earth Berms
Earth berm is a sloped structure built adjacent to highways within its right of way. Its
height ranges from 5’ to 50’ depending upon the impedance required.
Figure 8 Earth berm cross-section
Earth berms reflect and absorb sound waves. Since earth berms are inclined, and not
exactly vertical, the sound gets deflected upwards with many reduced chances of echo chambers
being created
Pros. Advantages of using earth berm as noise barrier are:
● A berm can provide noise attenuation of up to 15 dBA if it is several feet higher than
the “line of sight” between the noise source and the receiver. (Federal Highway
Administration, 1972)
● Compared to walls of the same height, earth berms provide 1 to 3 dBA better noise
attenuation.
Cons. Disadvantages of using earth berm as noise barrier are:
● Building earth berms later is significantly costlier than building the wall at the same
time. The cost of constructing earth berms can rise significantly with a slight increase
in its height.
Construction. Earth berm must cover the line of sight between source and recipient of
noise to work effectively. Further increase in height depends upon the required insulation. The
ground area covered depends upon the height and slope of the berm.
Cost. The cost involved in the construction of an earth berm are:
● Construction cost: Land acquisition cost is dictated by the area upon which
construction goes on. Seeding and plantation costs are also included as construction
costs.
● Maintenance cost: Drainage, erosion prevention, mowing, etc are maintenance costs
to be considered.
Wall
Thin, vertical structures made of rigid particles like steel and concrete can be used to
prevent direct transmission of sound to neighborhoods. Generally, walls work by reflecting sound
waves. Walls of absorptive nature can also be constructed with grooves on walls, and walls with
vegetation.
Pros. Advantages of using walls as noise barrier are:
● A wall can provide noise attenuation of up to 15 dBA if it is several feet higher than
the “line of sight” between the noise source and the receiver.(California Division of
Highways, 1972)
● As vertical walls are of small thickness, they can be installed easily at places with
limited space thus allowing walls to be built as post-construction noise mitigation
measures.
Cons. Disadvantages of using walls as noise barrier are:
● Though effective for residents living within its vicinity, walls are less effective at larger
distances.
● Due to the reflective nature of walls, residents previously undisturbed by highway noises
complain of disturbance after the construction of walls.
Figure 9 Sound waves reflected by walls

● Commuters as well as residents complain of damage to scenery due to construction of
walls: "It turns backyards into prison walls", "With walls roads feel like a tunnel with no
roof."
Construction. Walls can be constructed of any solid structure high enough with adequate
mass and density. Generally used materials are wood, precast concrete, and woods; among these,
precast concrete has been observed to lack durability. With these materials, walls can be made of
virtually unlimited designs as a requirement.
Cost. Cost is largely dependent upon the type, manpower, maintenance, weather
condition, and other local factors. It is worth noticing that the cost of installing precast concrete
walls on one side of the highway in California has reached up to 2 million USD.
Plantations
Planting vegetation adjacent to the street can also reduce noise to some degree. Plants
absorb and scatter sound waves. Plants also provide psychological relief, providing appealing
aesthetics and hiding sources of noise from.
Pros. Advantages of using plantations as barrier are:
● They provide pleasant aesthetics and are psychologically relaxing.
Cons. Disadvantages of using plantations as noise barrier are:
● The performance of plants as a barrier is quite unsatisfactory compared to other
alternatives.
● Deciduous plants will be effective during some periods only.

Construction. Building a proper plantation barrier needs enough land, adequate plants,
as well as time for plants to grow to desirable height are required monetary and time cost.
Cost. Costs are much more dictated by factors like plants used, maintenance required,
etc.
Combination of various barrier designs
Often, the most economical, acoustically acceptable, and aesthetically pleasing barrier is some
combination of the barrier types previously discussed.
In addition to cost advantages, an earth berm with a barrier wall on top of it possesses several
other advantages over both a wall and a berm alone:
● It is more visually pleasing than a wall of equivalent height.
● The berm portion of this combination is less dangerous for a motorist leaving the
roadway.
● The non-vertical construction of the berm does not reflect noise to the opposite side
of the highway the way a wall does.
● The combination requires less land than would be required for a berm of equivalent
height and slope.
● Another combination to be considered is that of plantings in combination with a
barrier. Not only do plantings and ground cover provide some additional noise
attenuation, but they also increase visual appeal.

Conclusion
We have discussed some of the methods pertinent to the reduction of noise in residential
buildings. While the applicability and adeptness of the aforementioned methods may differ
concerning the location, space of the building, and the nature of the noise, it is established that
the use of the said methods can be of huge help for noise reduction. As discussed already the
proper acoustical design and construction is applicable in case of the buildings which are yet to
be built; these methods being generally economical are applicable even in case of regular
building construction. Planned unit development and residential cluster development are the
most feasible and cost-efficient when implemented as proactive measures to protect
communities from noise. Barriers can be used as both proactive and reactive measures; the wall
is often the most effective when noise sources like highways are constructed near to a preexisting
community, whereas other barriers like earth berms and plantations are better suited to preserve
the appearance of communities along with protecting them from noise.

References
Bolt, Beranek, and Newman, Inc. (1971). Highway Noise; a Design Guide for Highway
Engineers. Highway Research Board, National Research Council.
https://books.google.com.np/books?id=y3AnAQAAMAAJ&pg=RA5-PA102&lpg=RA5-
PA102&dq=residential+cluster+development+and+noise+control&source=bl&ots=RGM
db7GD0c&sig=ACfU3U0Sd-dqXmS6MJG-
420AJZOnrzw2iA&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiV48COu8fqAhWHwzgGHXpxDGY
Q6AEwC3oECA0QAQ#v=onepage&q=residential%20cluster%20development%20and
%20noise%20control&f=false
Busch, T. B., Hodgson, M. H., & Wakefield, C. W. (2003). Scale-model study of the
effectiveness of highway noise barriers. Www.Researchgate.Net, 5–8.
https://doi.org/10.1121/1.1605412
California Division of Highways, Highway Noise Control, Value Engineering Study, (October
1972), P.33
Federal Highway Association (FHWA) & Louisiana Department of Transportation and
Development (LaDOTD). (2000). I-49 Connector, Lafayette: Environmental Impact
Statement. Federal Aid Project.
Federal Highway Administration. (1972). The Audible Landscape: A Manual for Highway Noise
and Land Use. https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/environment/noise/noise_barriers/inventory/
Federal Highway Administration. (1972). The Audible Landscape: A Manual for Highway Noise
and Land Use. Pages 35-58 [Image Files] Retrieved From:
https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/environment/noise/noise_barriers/inventory/
Hans, Bernard, & Relchow. (1963). Town Planning and Noise Abatement. Architect’s Journal,
137(7), 357–360.
Landau, M. D. L. (2017). On Highway Noise Barriers, the Science Is Mixed. Are There
Alternatives? Undark.Org. https://undark.org/2017/12/27/highway-noise-barrier-science/#
The United States. Federal Highway Administration. (1982). LR-1071, Section 50 (I-70)
Reconstruction, Washington/Fayette/Westmoreland Counties: Environmental Impact
Statement. Northwestern University.
Wagner, K. W. (2016). Building the Wall: Highway Sound Barriers and the Evolution of Noise.
99percentinvisible.Org. https://99percentinvisible.org/article/building-wall-highway-
sound-barriers-evolution-noise/
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Noise Control in Residential Buildings

Article · July 2020

Aayush Adhikari Bishal Thapa

SEE PROFILE SEE PROFILE

Seepage Analysis of an Earthen Dam View project

Landslide Susceptibility Mapping of Phewa Watershed using AHP View project

The user has requested enhancement of the downloaded file.

Noise Control in Residential Buildings

Department of Civil and Geomatics Engineering

Institute of Engineering (IOE), Pokhara

buildings while also considering their efficacy.

Keywords: Noise Control, Acoustics, Site planning, Construction, Barriers.

Noise Control in Residential Buildings

effects it may have on the residents be taken into consideration.

Architectural Design for Noise Control

much more economical compared to other methods.

Figure 1 Example of acoustically sound placement of rooms

the case of high rise buildings.

Figure 2 Use of natural barriers

given much consideration. The improper placement of balconies as shown in the

Figure 3 Role of balconies in noise control

there is not adequate space for the construction.

● It is one of the most economically feasible methods.

● It is easy to put to practice as the only requirement is that of an acoustical

● It is practiced during the design of a building so there is no hassle of extra

● It has limited effectiveness against multiple sources of noise.

● It may be difficult to implement in the present context of rapid urbanization.

Construction techniques in acoustical planning

hence help to reduce the noise levels.

Construction Techniques for Various Building Elements

the layers helps to insulate the noise. It is economical.

to provide more insulation to the noise.

sound-absorbing material such as wool can also be done where necessary.

make the most of its insulating capacity.

Figure 4 Noise mitigation techniques for wall

the insulation ability of windows.

possible and should be kept away from possible sources of noise.

closed when required.

ensure some effort for noise control is made:

control regarding doors.

not let in.

source of noise where possible.

beneath the building, necessary steps may have to be taken.

● Also, false ceilings and false floors can be put to practice.

source by the use of music, electronics devices, and such.

Acoustical Site Planning

● Placing noise compatible activities like commercial facilities, parking spaces

between a noise source and noise-sensitive areas;

● Using buildings as barriers;

● Using noise-sensitive buildings to face away from the noise.

Following are the methods of acoustical site planning:

By increasing distance between a residential building and a potential source of unwanted

its intensity by as much as 6 dB. (Federal Highway Administration, 1972)

Figure 5 Effect of distance on sound intensity

Noise Compatible Land Uses as Buffers:

constructed between them may act as a noise barrier.

Figure 6 Garage is kept between the highway and residential zone

Pros. Advantages of using noise compatible land use as a buffer are:

enhance communities by providing space for essential infrastructures and services

like parking spaces and supermarkets.

flexibility of neighboring communities.