Hush Acoustics

Achieving a Building Regulations compliant level of soundproofing in residential conversion projects demands the use of superior quality soundproofing materials and systems, which are deployed in the right way. It is an approach that a recent development in the south Manchester suburb of Levenshulme perfectly encapsulates, with outstanding results for the developer and future residents.Hush Acoustics was tasked to provide a solution for a conversion project at 31 Albert Road, Levenshulme by Meridian Construction & Refurbishments. It was converting the five-bedroom Victorian dwelling into two residential flats, which meant the separating floors had to be constructed in a way that would meet the acoustic standards set out in Approved Document E of the Building Regulations for England and Wales.Under Approved Document E, ‘material change of use’ projects like this must incorporate soundproofing in the floors between individual dwellings to reduce the risk of nuisance sound transmission. Evidence that the floor construction complies with the standards is normally provided to building control through post-installation acoustic testing, which on this project was undertaken by C80 Solutions.Hush Acoustics was invited to attend the site by Meridian when the building was at its early rip out stage. This provided an opportunity to get a clear understanding of the situation and discuss the options for the separating floors to ensure they would meet the requirements of Approved Document E.The floor structure was a traditional timber floor with floorboards. There was only a very limited specification in the design, so Hush was able to help by providing specialist technical consultation to develop the most cost effective and easy to install solution for the Meridian site team.Following the site visit and inspection of the building, Hush Acoustics’ soundproofing specialists developed an acoustic product specification for the separating floors that would not only meet the minimum standards of the Building Regulations, but exceed them with ease.Hush-Panel 17, a thin MDF overlay board which incorporates a 10mm Hush-Felt resilient layer, was installed over the structural deck. This was glued using Hush-Bond Panel Adhesive and isolated at the perimeters using Hush-Seal 20.The structural deck consisted of the original floorboards that had been overboarded with a thin plywood. This provided a solid flat surface to install the acoustic flooring. The existing ceiling was left in place where possible to avoid the need for ripping out where it was not required, which allowed for a new acoustic ceiling to be installed. This consisted of two layers of 15mm Fireline plasterboard on a suspended frame with Hush-Slab 100 sound absorber slabs placed within the ceiling void.As part of the service, Hush Acoustics arranged for the acoustic testing to be carried out by testing partner C80 Solutions. They recorded the following results:Airborne – 53 dB DnTw+Ctr and 52 dB DnTw+Ctr (the higher, the better)Impact – 48 dB LnTw and 43 dB LnTw (the lower, the better)These are very good acoustic figures for a separating floor in a residential conversion project of this kind, demonstrating what can be achieved with a combination of high quality soundproofing materials are combined and installation correctly.Ultimately, this outstanding acoustic performance for the separating floors will help to ensure a high level of satisfaction for the future residents of these modern apartments.

Hush Acoustics provided an acoustic treatment for the floors within the visitor centre of the first sake brewery in the UK, Dojima Sake Brewery. The client was concerned the excessive impact noise from busy areas would transmit through the floors and affect other spaces. The solution was to develop a floating floor design involving Hush Panel 28.Hush Panel 28 was specified for use within the visitor centre to provide an acoustic overlay floor treatment for the café area, which is above the main visitor centre, to help control impact noise from the busy environment.The specification was developed in conjunction with Alinda Barua from SCABAL Architects (Studio Cullinan and Buck Architects Ltd), which represented an excellent collaboration to arrive at the required acoustic improvements.

Hush Acoustics was tasked with transforming the acoustic conditions inside the multi-use hall and dining area at East Sheen Primary School.The headteacher and teachers were keen to solve a major issue within their hall resulting from sound reverberation, echo and high levels of ambient noise. The brief was developed so speech clarity could be improved, resulting in easier learning and a better environment for teachers and pupils.During the initial survey, the scale of the issue became apparent. A specification was then developed to address the situation in what was obviously a very noisy space during peak times and unbearable for the pupils.The solution came with Hush Absorber panels. To achieve the results required by East Sheen Primary we carried out a site inspection to calculate the amount of absorption material needed to bring the school hall reverberation times in-line with BB93 design criteria for educational buildings.The site survey involved taking measurements and detailing where any absorption panels could be installed to maintain aesthetics. From the site survey, Hush Acoustics could then calculate the level of absorption needed and provide the installation service required. All the advice provided and work carried out was fully in line with BB93 design guidance for acoustics in school and Document E of the Building Regulations.The solution provided by Hush Acoustics treated the reverberation issue extremely well and created a much better environment for teachers and pupils.The school headteacher commented, “Just wanted to say a huge thank you from us all for your work around the acoustic issues. Everyone had noticed the positive impact and assembly today was much better. The difference is massive.”

Hush Acoustics provided an acoustic solution for the Aviation Academy in Norwich as part of its project to transform the building through the creation of an innovative learning environment. Based within a World War 2 aircraft hangar, home to a museum, cafe and now classrooms, catering for pupils and youth organisations as well as holding events and conferences, this academy accommodates a wide variety of uses and needs. Hanson Barron and Smith Architects worked on the design of the custom facility, with the aim to create a mezzanine floor within the atrium on which classrooms would be created.The atrium itself holds conferences that can accommodate over 300 people, so in order to ensure the acoustics within the building were fit for purpose, a site visit was conducted to assess how the required acoustic standards could be achieved.On visiting the site, an acoustic concern within the building was the footfall noise being created from the mezzanine floor.The solution proposed after calculating the requirements of the areas was 1500m2 of Hush Panel 17, which would be fitted over the structural plywood deck.Hush Panel 17 is a thin overlay board which minimises floor build-up without compromising performance. By reducing impact sound transmission through the separating floors, it achieves excellent results, with the upper layer of moisture resistant MDF providing a consistently smooth surface for application of floor finishes.Working with Robert Goss from Hanson Barron and Smith and RG Carter who were the main contractors on site, over 2000 sheets of Hush Panel 17 were supplied and fitted to the area.

The developer of an apartment conversion scheme in the Pennine hills village of Diggle near Oldham wanted to achieve superior sound reduction standards in the walls and floors and go beyond the minimum requirements set out by the Building Regulations.The Old Mill House project involved transforming a Victorian industrial building into several residential dwellings. The project’s design needed to comply with the requirements of Approved Document E, which sets out minimum standards in England and Wales for airborne and impact sound transmission between dwellings where there is a Material Change of Use.However, to deliver the highest quality living accommodation to potential buyers, the developer insisted that the acoustic specification not only met the minimum standards but went beyond them.To achieve their goals for the floors and walls, they approached Hush Acoustics for assistance in developing the specifications and providing the required products.Given the unique nature of the properties being created, the acoustic design for the flooring had to be compatible with underfloor heating and more unusual floor finishes such as stone tiling.The specification developed by Hush Acoustics for the separating floors beneath the floorcoverings featured a plywood timber deck, below which was the underfloor heating system and 8mm Hush FFR resilient underlay.For the ceiling side, Hush recommended standard acoustic insulation for use within the timber joists, two layers of 15mm Fireline plasterboard attached to the underside of the joists, the Hush MF Ceiling System to allow Hush Slab 100 to be fitted in the void created, finished with a layer of 15mm Soundbloc plasterboard.For the separating walls, two specifications were developed according to the types of walls. In areas where there was an existing masonry wall, a wall lining consisting of independent stud work, Hush Slab insulation and Soundbloc plasterboard was developed. In other areas of the scheme, a twin timber stud wall is recommended, again featuring Hush Slab insulation and Soundbloc plasterboard.As part of the process, the Hush Acoustics team undertook many site visits and guided the design and build process to ensure the correct installation was followed, and pre-completion testing was also arranged.The solutions developed and provided by Hush Acoustics fully met the developer’s goals to go beyond Approved Document E’s compliance standards according to the pre-completion tests.

Hush Acoustics provided a range of acoustic products for the construction of Warren Court, a new development of 9x luxury two bedroom apartments. Working with Marlowe Building Contractors, we provided advice and materials for the apartments’ soundproofing to give acoustic performance better than New Build standard.The Standard Assessment Procedure (SAP) energy ratings had already been calculated and passed before Hush were involved with the acoustic design. The building’s structure consisted of lightweight masonry walls and a timber joist floor structure, which could not be changed due to SAP compliance. As a result, Hush was tasked with developing a comprehensive design to ensure compliance to Approved Document E of the Building Regulations with this form of construction detail. The biggest issue was the continuous lightweight block walls that may be thermally very efficient, but present major difficulties acoustically. To go over and above the new build standard, it was necessary for all blockwork and timber floor joists to be isolated on Hush Resilient Seating. Ceilings were also isolated by using Hush Suspended Ceilings in the main and an Enhanced Clip and Channel System was used where the floor/ceiling heights were at a premium. Hush Panel 28 was provided throughout as the floating acoustic flooring system.We carried out pre-completion sound tests which achieved results well in excess of the new build standard. Airborne sound test results ranged from 49 dB (DnTw+Ctr) to 61 dB (DnTw+Ctr) and impact achieved 46 dB (LnTw), 16 dB better than the required new build standard.

St Bronagh’s Primary School in Rostrevor, County Down was a newly built school designed by Donnelly O Neill Architects Ltd and constructed by Ganson Building & Civil engineering contractors Ltd.The £3.9 million school was crowned with the Sustainability award in May 2018, replacing the former Convent of Mercy Primary School. This was demolished to make way for this new 7x classroom building, along with the construction of a new youth club building, sports hall, community and games room, and additional accommodation.Upon handover and occupancy, it became apparent that there was scope for improving the acoustic conditions within the new building.The school design itself, was made up of 7x ‘pods’ all of varying heights and reverberation within these areas was an acoustic concern. Working with the Project Architect Paul McMahon of Donnelly O Neill Architects Ltd, we identified that significant improvements could be delivered with the installation of 425 m2 of our Hush Absorber 50 panels to classrooms and resource areas.For practical and aesthetic reasons as well as meeting the required reverberation times, we supplied 286x Hush Absorbing Notice Boards in a neutral colour with a bespoke frame colour to ensure that they blended in with the existing décor.In certain areas we were asked to create a feature wall with the panels and so we used our Hush Absorber 50 panels which were provided in 4 vibrant colours to create both a statement to the chosen rooms as well meeting the required reverberation time.We also provided 3x large printed 50mm panels at high level within the staffroom. These panels were printed with an image of the Cloughmore Stone as requested by the school. The Cloughmore stone is significant to the area and is a giant 50 tonnes granite boulder that sits high above the village of Rostrevor.As well as creating a tailored interior design, the sound absorbing panels provide a practical and efficient way of dampening sound reverberation and eliminating echoes within the rooms.We worked closely with our stockists Commercial Connections in Crossgar, County Down to ensure both site presence and swift responses to technical and installation queries were met. Ganson UK and Hush were able to ensure that all material was supplied over an 8-week period to meet the time frames on site.A multitude of sustainable elements has made this school a successful build and getting the acoustics right has significantly contributed to the school’s success.

Hush Acoustics were tasked with providing a solution to reduce an impact noise issue on the upper floor of a luxury five-bedroom detached home in Knutsford, Cheshire.Home to a professional football player, the issue stemmed from the noise on the flooring of his snooker room. Impact noise from footsteps when using the room was generating nuisance noise within the living area directly below, which was making it difficult for others in the family to enjoy this space.Working with Short Construction, building contractors based in Wilmslow, Hush supplied 167x sheets of our Hush Panel 33 to solve the issue. This is a versatile, high performing acoustic flooring which is widely used in timber construction, making it ideal for the timber separating floors in this property.With a combination of our eco-friendly acoustic felt and our rubber barrier mat, the Hush Panel 33 performs to all UK Building Regulation requirements as well as the Robust Detail performance targets for timber frame developments. Its unique composition makes it easy to install and quick to use.The product works by creating a high mass barrier and isolating the floor finish from the structure. As the nuisance noise issue in this situation was due to impact noise, it was key to introduce a high performing acoustic floor product to break the connection of the floor finish from the structure. This, in turn, improved the impact performance of noise transmission through the floor structure, giving the client the desired effect and enabling him to use the snooker room as intended.

Hush Acoustics was tasked with providing an acoustic separating floor solution in an extensive material change of use project in Southall. Phoenix House was being converted by Vascroft Construction from an office building to residential flats, in a project which involved building into the basement, adding two floors and expanding at the rear.The development of 149 flats, each of which comprises 2 bedrooms, 1 ensuite, 1 bathroom, 1 kitchen/living area, required an effective design for the separating floors to ensure they would be effectively soundproofed throughout across multiple different floor finishes.After assessing a number of floor construction materials, Hush Panel 28 floating floor panels were selected to meet the acoustic performance targets. Using this panel meant that throughout the bedrooms and living areas a simple underlay could be laid before the finished carpets or engineered timber floor were installed. Hush Panel 28 was also suitable for the floors in the wet rooms and entrance hallways by applying Detromat on top of the panel to form an anti cracking surface.A team of more than 100 operatives worked on site, with every 1000 sq. m of floor completed per week, which Hush Acoustics supported to ensure Vascroft could meet the project’s strict delivery schedule.

This project involved providing a soundproofing solution for a Grade ll listed period building located in the south west of Sheffield, close to the botanical gardens, where the former NHS building was undergoing conversion into residential wellings.Hush were involved in the very early design stages of this conversion/new build project and under direction of our client Jonathan Frith of Bamford Homes. We also worked alongside acoustic consultants HRS Services Ltd (now Stroma Specialist Access) and architect Richard Keighley from DKMY Architects.A variety of Hush Systems were specified to deliver excellent acoustic performance.HD1030: Hush System LP was applied to the ground and first floors. This is a floating floor system, compliant with Building Regulations Approved Document E, used in refurbishment of timber floors. It also holds 1-hour fire resistance at ceiling level.HD1032: Hush System LP/MF was used from the second to first floor and from the third to second floor. This economical sound insulation system for use between separating floors is made up of Hush Panel 28, Hush Seal 20 and Hush absorber slabs. It is used within refurbishment projects using timber joists and also provides 1-hour fire resistance at ceiling level.Along with using these systems, we also upgraded the existing walls using our HD1040: Wall System which provides high standards of airborne sound reduction and can be used to reduce both flanking and direct sound transmission. It again is compliant with UK Building Regulations and provides a minimum loss of space within rooms.Within the new build residential space, we recommended our HD1054: Double Timber Stud Wall System which is our extremely effective system comprising of Hush Slab absorber slabs and Acoustic Plasterboard.Although design stages through to completion of this project were around 3 years, the conversion and new build project itself, once begun took around 18 months. All acoustic testing carried out on site was passed.The flats are in a sought-after area, close to the University of Sheffield and Hallamshire Hospital, within easy access to facilities in Broomshill and Eccleshall road and have been finished to a high acoustic standard.

After embarking on a project to create high quality new learning pods to enhance its facilities, the last thing teachers, staff and children at Carr Lodge Academy in Doncaster were expecting was for excessive background noise to be so much of an issue that it stood in the way of their ability to use and enjoy them.The school wanted to create learning pods for each of its 1-6 year groups to provide a facility that could be used for extra learning, small group teaching or a break-out space for teachers and children. The building contractor appointed to construct the pods worked to an agreed specification and design, but the acoustic conditions that would result from the proposed usage of the spaces, the positioning of the pods and choice of materials for their fit-out was not fully realised. It was only when teachers and staff started using the learning pods that problems with echo and excessive sound reverberation were fully realised. This is a common acoustic issue which results from interiors that feature lots of hard, harsh reflective surfaces with the ultimate impact at Carr Lodge being that the pods were unsuitable for their purpose.The school sought specialist assistance to resolve the issues which started with an acoustic assessment and detailed acoustic report. And following a competitive tendering process, Hush Acoustics was appointed to complete the acoustic upgrade using its sound absorber panels.How absorption resolved the issueThe solution involved manufacturing and installing a series of Hush Absorber 50 panels which were strategically mounted on the walls of the learning pods. The Class A absorber panels are formulated using a 50mm thick acoustic foam which is hand finished in a high quality fabric applied on the face, edges and back – at Carr Lodge, the panels feature a green fabric to match the school’s aesthetics and contribute to the welcoming environment.Various sizes of panels were installed to fit the differing sized spaces within the school. Their positioning was dependent on the size and the layout of the learning pod for the year group. Some year group pods, for example, feature desks, so absorber panels have been installed to be continuous along the desk line, helping the children hear what is being said by teachers. In other desk-free learning pods, the panels were positioned on the walls – symmetrically where possible – to deliver an aesthetically pleasing and acoustically -effective result. Hush Absorber 50 panels work by absorbing soundwaves generated by speech and other sources in a way that hard surfaces such as plastered walls, wood and laminates do not. As a result, less sound is reflected back into the room, so the level of ambient noise is dramatically reduced to deliver a more acoustically comfortable environment that is far more conducive to learning.‘Huge difference’ to the learning environmentSarah Crampton, Principal at Carr Lodge Academy said: “Sound reverberation was causing us real problems and it meant that the learning pods – although fantastic in principle – simply didn’t serve the purpose for which they were intended.“The sound absorber panels have made a huge difference to the useability of our learning pods and provided a solution that did not require major, disruptive work. The quality of the solution provided by the Hush Acoustics team, and their service overall, has impressed everyone involved in this project.”

When Galaxy Insulation – Hush Acoustics’ parent company – moved into its new regional offices near Glasgow, the team wanted to ensure the spaces were pleasant to work in and acoustically comfortable.The offices at Blantyre to the south of the city are contained within a modern building in a business park. This is typically designed and optimised for versatility, energy efficiency and low maintenance with large windows to allow for plenty of natural light transmission.As is common with office buildings of this type, given the relatively low levels of soft materials and furnishings used in the fit-out and décor, once the team moved into their offices it quickly became apparent that the environment was echoey and acoustically uncomfortable as a result of reverberation.RESOLVING ACOUSTIC ISSUESBeing familiar with this issue, the team at Galaxy Insulation were keen to ensure that everyone in the new office could work without being disrupted by excessive background noise, which is often caused by soundwaves reflecting off hard surfaces like glass and wood.Galaxy Insulation turned to the team at Hush Acoustics for assistance with this issue, having seen how it had worked with clients across the UK to address similar reverberation problems. Hush started the process by conducting an acoustic survey to determine the extent of the problem and identify where sound absorber panels could be fitted to resolve the issue.Hush proposed fitting six Hush Absorber 50 panels in varying sizes, including 1800x1200mm, 1200×1200 and 1000x1000mm, which would be strategically mounted on the walls of the offices.This is a Class A absorber that comprises a specially formulated 50mm thick acoustic foam, hand-finished with an interior fabric, which is applied to the face, edges and back return.ADDING A CREATIVE DIMENSIONAs Hush Absorber panels are always manufactured to order in a fabric cover coloured to the requirements of the client, this presented an opportunity for Galaxy to use the new panels for decorative purposes too.Rather than apply a single colour or generic pattern, the local team leading the project wanted to celebrate their great city by printing large photographs of famous Glasgow landmarks onto the panels. A number of high-resolution photographs were sourced and supplied to Hush to arrange the fabric printing as part of the manufacturing process.Hush manufactured and supplied the absorber panels within three weeks from the date of order, and installed them all in a matter of hours to minimise disruption at the Galaxy Insulation offices. Feedback from the team gave the panels an immediate thumbs up, with the difference in acoustic comfort noticed instantly and the images giving the office a distinctive new look.CLIENT FEEDBACKJim Downie, Scotland’s Managing Director of Galaxy Insulation said: “What a transformation the absorber panels have made! Firstly, they look amazing with the vibrant colours of the photographs reproducing extremely well, reflecting our intention to celebrate Glasgow’s iconic buildings and skyline.“Acoustically, the offices are far more comfortable for everyone. We’re an extremely busy office here as we work with customers across Scotland, so we’re always speaking on the phone or talking to each other to deliver for clients. We wanted to ensure high levels of background noise did not result in reverberation and make the working environment potentially unbearable.“The team at Hush Acoustics were quick to understand our requirements which gave us complete confidence that their proposed solution would meet our needs. Now the panels are installed, it is clear that the Hush Absorber 50 panels have worked exactly as planned, working in the background to minimise the risk of nuisance reverberation.”

When the owner of an office building on the Isle of Man took the decision to redevelop the property into four apartments, he partnered with chartered architect Andrew Bentley to arrive at a design. The building had previously been converted from a bar to offices in the 1990s, but the approach adopted to the soundproofing as part of this conversion project would need to be fully assessed and tested for compliance with today’s domestic dwelling standards. STEPPING UP TO HIGHER ACOUSTIC STANDARDSUnder the building regulations covering the Isle of Man, which are consistent with Approved Document E in England & Wales, the separating floors needed to achieve an airborne sound transmission level greater or equal to 43db and, for impact sound transmission, no higher than 64db. Following a comprehensive consultation period by Hush Acoustics soundproofing experts, it was apparent that the existing acoustic flooring design fitted during the original conversion was inadequate. This meant a complete redesign of the floors was required to bring them up to an acceptable residential standard.A SOLUTION THAT EXCEEDED EXPECTATIONS The solution came with the Hush MF Ceiling System. This creates a suspended ceiling, separated from the existing structure using the Hush Acoustic Hangers, allowing for Hush-Slab 100 sound absorber slabs to be fitted into the void created. Two layers of 15mm Soundbloc plasterboard were then installed onto the suspended ceiling’s metal frame.Key to the success of the new acoustic system was the quality of the installation, which the Hush Acoustics team – as with all projects – offered guidance on to the installation contractor. This was important from a fire safety perspective too, with a fire specialist also engaged to ensure all gaps, junction details and products were installed and sealed correctly. ‘BEST EVER’ ACOUSTIC RESULTS As a result of this new acoustic flooring, the flats benefit from soundproofing levels not normally seen in conversion projects of this kind. The airborne sound insulation levels for the floors tested in various rooms ranged from 50db to 67db (minimum level to pass test is 43db) and for impact sound it was between 38db and 50db (must be below 64db).Project architect Andrew Bentley commented:“The test results were so good that the acoustician who carried out the testing of the completed installation said it was the best results he had ever seen. In the lounge of one of the flats, there was virtually no background noise detected despite sound of 107db being generated in the lounge of the flat directly above – that’s a noise level almost as loud as you would experience at a rock concert.”

The developer behind a Victorian mill conversion in West Yorkshire has achieved superior levels of sound insulation for the building’s separating walls, floors and ceilings through a range bespoke sound insulation systems and products from Hush Acoustics.The redevelopment of the Old Town Mill in the Pennine hills close to Hebden Bridge was undertaken by Clay Developments, with the conversion work managed by its sister-company Clay Construction. Both companies have a strong track record in successfully breathing new life into heritage buildings, but this latest project presented its own unique challenges including how to soundproof each of the newly created individual two- or three-bedroom connected properties.The original mill building was built around 1851, initially for use as a cotton mill. The complex was developed with the construction of a second larger mill building and associated facilities in the 1880s, and it was used for a variety of purposes during its industrial life, including for the production of hosiery yarns, wool combing and sheepskin rug manufacture.Externally the converted building, known as Carding Mill, retains its external character with its distinctive coursed square gritstone walls and Welsh blue slate roof, complemented by high performance aluminium glazing and new features including perimeter walls created using natural reclaimed stone. Internally, however, the transformation has been substantial to remodel the building into residential units which comply with the high performance standards demanded by today’s Building Regulations.The new homes created in Carding Mill could have been designed and built to comply with the minimum acoustic requirements, but that was deemed insufficient to deliver the level of luxury the developer wanted to offer potential buyers. Hence, Clay Construction approached Hush Acoustics to explore the design options and available materials to go beyond what the Building Regulations require for material change of use projects like this.Hush Acoustics supported Clay Construction and the architect, Gagarin Studio, to achieve the optimum separating wall and floor designs throughout, with underfloor heating (UFH) also accommodated.Airborne sound tests in the separating walls revealed levels ranging between 52 and 61 dB DnT,w+Ctr, well above the compliance level of 43 dB. And for impact sound on the separating floors, two tests were carried out which registered levels of 35 and 37 dB L'nT,w, again surpassing the Approved Document E requirement of no higher than 64 dB.

Hush Acoustics has successfully addressed a party wall noise problem for a homeowner in north London through the installation of its slimline HD1041 acoustic wall system, improving sound insulation without significantly compromising the room size.The owner of the semi-detached house in Hackney, contacted Hush to find a solution that would enhance the acoustic performance of a separating wall, ultimately improving the quality of life for their neighbours.The properties suffered from inadequate acoustic control within their original construction, allowing everyday sounds to pass through the party wall and become clearly audible next door.The brick wall in this particular case lacked the necessary mass and density to block sound waves generated by speech and activities like children playing. As a result, the noise disturbance caused stress and anxiety for the neighbours.Key to homeowner’s wishes was a solution that would not significantly reduce the size of the room. While retrofitting the wall with acoustic treatment would naturally increase its depth, the client understood the trade-off between volume reduction and improved soundproofing.Hush proposed three fully tested acoustic wall systems, each offering varying build-up thicknesses and sound reduction levels ranging from good to better and best. After thorough discussions between the Hush team and the homeowner, it was agreed that the Hush HD1041 Acoustic Wall Lining System would deliver the optimal solution. This system utilises a combination of high-performing acoustic materials, resulting in a wall lining that is only 55mm deep.A local contractor completed the installation of the acoustic wall system, with Hush providing full technical support and supervision throughout the process.Expressing their satisfaction with the improvements delivered by the system’s installation, the client said:“We have completed the work on the wall, and the results are excellent. The neighbours can barely hear anything now, and they no longer get disturbed when my son is up in the middle of the night. A heartfelt thank you to you and the team.”

Hoebridge Golf Centre is a busy commercial and leisure facility that has three golf courses, a function facility and a health club. Given the busy nature of the centre, it had become apparent to many golfers and patrons that the acoustic conditions within the bar and restaurant area needed improvement.Hush Acoustics was tasked by the golf centre’s owners to develop a solution to this major acoustic issue as it possible that revenue was being affected in the bar and restaurant because of poor acoustics. Some paying guests did not want to spend their time in these problematic and noisy areas so addressing the issue was crucial to the centre’s long term success. Hush carried out its extensive survey and to fulfil the client’s requirements to make the bar and restaurant areas a far more comfortable place to be. The acoustic problem at Hoebridge Golf Centre was caused by a high level of ambient, reverberation and echo noise within the bar and restaurant areas.The solution proposed by Hush was to install Hush Absorber 50 Sound Absorbing Panels within the bar and restaurant areas. Through a series of calculations based on the site survey data, the amount of absorption needed to treat the issues effectively could be established.Mike O’Connell, General Manager of Hoebridge Golf Centre was delighted with the panels. He mentioned how well they blended in and complemented the look and aesthetics of the room, and appreciated the minimalistic design with bold colours to give the room a sense of vibrancy. The client was particular happy with the quick and efficient installation by the Hush installation team. They arrived on site at 6:05am, discussed the installation with Mike and had completed the installation by 8am, meaning no disruption to customers during busy times.

Hush Acoustics helped the developer of a new build apartment scheme in Surrey to deliver high quality homes which are highly insulated against the risk of flanking noise from the properties below and above.Composition Design, the architects tasked with designing the two, three-storey apartment blocks in Cranleigh, approached Hush to advise on what is a relatively common, but sometimes overlooked, issue in multi-occupancy buildings constructed using brick and block walls with timber joisted floors. In addition to ensuring the separating walls and floors were acoustically insulated to levels compliant with Approved Document E of the Building Regulations, measures were incorporated to prevent the potential for flanking noise to transmit between properties through the continuous blockwork.Flanking can be a major issue in buildings created with masonry walls and timber joisted floors because of the lightweight blocks and large voids which are characteristic of this type of construction method, particularly in walls of continuous brick and blockwork for the full height of the building.This can result in a noise issue so significant that projects of this kind are highly susceptible to sound test failures due to flanking. Hence why the architect sought specialist guidance from Hush Acoustics at an early stage.The Fairhaven development features two apartment blocks, which were constructed by Bohunone Building Contractors. One of the blocks incorporates three 2-bedroom flats, and the other provides four 2-bedroom flats and one 1-bedroom property, all designed and built with a traditional brick and tiled roof exterior to complement other properties in this established residential area.To address the flanking issue, the HD1013: Hush System 2003 acoustic floor system was used for all the separating floors within both blocks, and a wall lining was specified for the inside of any masonry walls that rise up continuously to the full height of the building. The wall lining consisted of the Hush Bar Deep resilient bars, Hush Slab 25 acoustic insulation slabs and a single layer of 15mm SoundBloc acoustic plasterboard. It was applied to all of the separating walls of the first floor properties, mostly single sided but double sided on those that are most susceptible to flanking, as well as the walls between any flats and the communal stairway.The HD1013 acoustic floor system consists of a floating floor created using Hush Panel 28, a 19mm plasterboard plank and Hush Slab 100 absorbers within the voids between the timber joists. Hush Bar resilient bars are then attached to the joists to provide acoustic separation, to which two layers of plasterboard are then screwed to form the ceilings – one being a layer of 15mm Fireline and the other a 12.5mm SoundBloc.Both the wall and floor acoustic systems were sealed at the perimeters to further prevent flanking noise. Once approved by the architect, the systems were installed by the building contractor under supervision from Hush Acoustics to ensure all the components and materials were fitted in accordance with its guidelines. The performance was confirmed by the pre-completion sound test. It recorded airborne sound levels as high as 60 dB DnT,w+Ctr for the party walls, demonstrating far higher acoustic performance than the minimum of 45 dB required under Approved Document E. The party floors were found to perform equally well, recording levels as low as 49 dB DnT,w+Ctr for airborne sound and 51 dB L'nT,w for impact sound. The latter also represents a significant improvement compared to the minimum compliance level of 62dB or lower stipulated by the Building Regulations.As the Fairhaven project demonstrates, early design consultation is key to addressing the potential for flanking noise and reducing the risk of sound test failures further down the line. If flanking is not considered and treated in the floor/ceiling or wall design and the building fails a sound test, the cost and disruption associated with remedial work could be extremely high.

Hush Acoustics provided an effective solution to ‘noise break-in’ at a newly built primary school in Chester to ensure the internal acoustic environment was supportive of learning goals.The Huntington Primary school was designed by Cheshire West and Chester Council to cater for 420 primary age pupils and a 26-provision nursery. The former primary schools it replaced had a capacity of 120 children, but to cope with the demand of 1,200 new houses being built nearby on the former Saighton Army camp, the decision was made to build a new school to meet the requirements.An acoustic concern highlighted was ‘noise break in’ which is caused by issues such as the sound of rain falling onto the roof, which in turn would detract from the learning environment. In order to resolve this potential issue and to guarantee the children a healthy setting free from noise disturbance, we specified our Hush 10kg Barrier Mat to be installed in the roof of the building.Hush Barrier Mat is a vinyl sound barrier mat loaded with naturally occurring minerals. The product is free of lead, unrefined aromatic oils and bitumen. Designed to improve the sound insulation of existing panels of metal, wood, plastic etc., at all frequencies. The mat is normally fixed in intimate contact with the original panel. Hush barriers are particularly effective in overcoming coincidence dip resonance found in stiff lightweight composites such as plywood sheets and hollow core panels.Working alongside Kier, were Delta Group, who we supplied with 1100 sheets of our Hush 10 kg Barrier Mat. They then applied this to the roof of the school in 3x layers, to give a mass of 30 kg/m2 and improving acoustic performance across all frequencies.

Optimising acoustic comfort within radiology facility, LondonHush Acoustics transformed the acoustic environment within a radiology facility where staff and clients experiencing noise nuisance within both a boardroom and video conferencing room, which was noticeably affecting speech clarity.Renowned as specialist consultants throughout the UK, Australia and further afield, offering 24-hour radiology reporting, Everlight Radiology offers urgent after hours and daytime consultant radiologists to hospitals throughout the world. Hence, it was imperative that their rooms were treated quickly in order for the practice to continue with their duty of care and excellent service.After considering printed acoustic boards from another supplier, which would have offered Class C absorption, Everlight’s chief executive officer contacted Hush to gain more specialist advice on sound absorption.Upon a visit to the Everlight Office, we found the rooms to be suffering from very high levels of reverberation and echo noise. Through our professional and technical advice, along with carrying out an acoustic assessment, we presented the client with a recommended solution based around Hush Absorber Panels 50 & 50A panels. The reason for including the Hush Absorber 50A panel in the specification was because it was imperative for the ceilings to be treated in order to get the sound result that our client was anticipating.Faced with a vast array of asymmetrical ventilation ducts and lights on the ceilings in the rooms in question, additional consideration was needed regarding the placement of the acoustic panels. A plan was drawn up to give possible layout options, which were agreed by the client.Unlike the client’s initial consideration prior to contacting Hush, Hush Absorber Panels are Class A absorbers, made from fabric wrapped 50mm thick acoustic foam. They have built in support frames to allow for bracket fixing, to provide an air void behind the absorber for enhanced acoustic performance. Class A absorption is of the highest level, with Class E being the lowest and this scale ensures simple comparison between acoustic products, which is important when choosing the right product for maximum impact on sound reduction and speech clarity.Included in the client’s brief was a request for particular panels to be printed. The client wanted to incorporate their brand logo and hero statements, intended to remind their clients and staff members using the room of their key messaging and values. The pictures supplied to Hush were designed in-house and delivered in high resolution which ensured an outstanding result.The client expressed interest in having larger boards for the video conferencing room to the bespoke sizing of 2050 x 1300 x 50mm. These panels were made to order, and provided in colours Chrome and Smoke, which were then organised in a checked pattern on the ceiling. Hush 50A Absorber Panels were installed using suspension packs, which allows for the air void behind, whereas the Hush Absorber 50 Panels were installed using the Hush Absorber Adhesive, making them clean and easy to install.The client was delighted with the finished result, not only in terms of practically and the acoustic improvements but aesthetically too. The colours chosen along with the custom printing reflects the business looking smart, clean and contemporary and resolves the reverberation issues that they were originally facing.

Walsall College is the largest provider of qualifications for 14-to 19-year-olds in the West Midlands Borough of Walsall. In addition, it also provides education and training for adults, which is delivered both at the college campuses and on-site at workplaces and community centres. In total, more than 11,000 people study vocational technical qualifications, apprenticeships and higher education programmes with the college each year.Its main Wisemore Campus was built in 2009 following a multi-million-pound investment programme designed to provide a vibrant, lively environment that inspires and motivates students. The state-of-the-art facility includes bespoke areas for studying business, creative arts, computing, health, public services and automotive.As is the nature of modern building design, the Wisemore Campus features many hard interior surfaces such as plastered walls, glazed partitions, large windows and carpet-tiled floors. Despite being integral to creating a visually appealing, energy-efficient, safe, secure and comfortable learning environment.Hush Acoustics were invited to carry out a site survey in these relatively poor acoustic environments by Lee Bate, Head of Operational Services. He sought to find an effective response to a large number of complaints from college users in relation to noise in these areas of the building, chiefly as a result of sound reverberation, echo and ambient noise. These issues are known to affect the concentration, focus and engagement of students and staff in schools, colleges and universities, so Walsall College were keen to take the necessary action.The learning pods are used for online training, enabling students to participate and collaborate in Zoom and Teams calls or simply access a quiet area to work. Due to the construction of these rooms, there was a significant acoustic issue that could only be addressed by the introduction of a Class A sound absorber. These would prevent noise reflecting back into the room, which was the cause of the issue.The boardroom presented similar issues. It also features many hard reflective surfaces which were causing it to be very echoey, especially during conference calls and training sessions. To reduce the issue here, a number of Class A absorbers would also need to be installed.Step one was for Hush Acoustics to conduct a site survey. This allowed information to be gathered in order to carry out a series of reverberation calculations with a view to determining how sound absorbers could be used in the affected spaces to control and reduce reverberation and echo.The solution came with Hush Absorber 50 panels installed to the ceilings and walls. These Class A absorber panels utilise a specially formulated 50mm thick acoustic foam, hand finished with interior fabric that is applied to the face, edges and back return. They are designed to fit on any alignment and angle including slopes and ceiling in both portrait and landscape, with a choice of stylish and visually pleasing designs available in sizes, colours and finishes to suit any internal environment.Hush Absorber 50 panels have been highly effective in controlling the problem noise within the areas, dampening the sound issue with a level of absorption material that complies with the design guidance of BB93.The transformation of the learning pods and boardroom has been a great success according to Walsall College’s Head of Operations for the campus, Lee Bate. He said:“We are delighted with the difference the Hush Absorber 50 panels make and the service from Hush. We are extremely happy with how the areas are instantly more comfortable to work from and the panels look good in the spaces they have been installed.”

Hush Acoustics provided a solution to reverberation issues at the newly extended Queen Elizabeth Hall in the village of Layer de la Haye near Colchester.The hall was designed to be used as a multi-functional amenity for local residents and the general public and is host to anything from Scouts groups to wedding receptions. It was therefore imperative that the acoustics within the building were to a good level to be able to comfortably make use of the hall for all the varying activities.As in many domestic and public places, reverberation and in severe cases, echoes, had become a problem in with mid to high frequency sounds (in most cases) of speech causing disruptive and discomforting noise problems.After an initial inspection, Hush Acoustics proposed the installation of 30x Hush Absorber 50A panels. This Class A sound absorber has built in support frames to allow for bracket fixing to provide an air void behind the absorber for enhanced acoustic performance. The absorber panels were fitted over two days which meant the work had minimal impact to the running of the community activities.The client’s feedback was that the acoustics in the hall after installation “are perfect”.

The internal environment of a newly built, highly sustainable school sports hall building on the south coast of England required acoustic enhancement to ensure it could be used and enjoyed to its full potential.The facility at the New Horizons Seaside Primary School at Lancing in West Sussex was created to provide much needed additional space for PE sessions, which had become more difficult for teachers to deliver effectively as pupil numbers have been increasing. The long term forward-thinking vision of the school to create a highly sustainable new building, rather than opt for a standard, compliance-level hall, was brought to fruition by architects Burns Guthrie and Partners.They proposed a design with materials and features that would minimise the carbon footprint of the sports hall, both in terms of its embodied carbon and carbon emissions during its lifespan. This included using a cross laminated timber (CLT) structure rather than steel, which represented an 85% reduction in embodied carbon for this major element of the building. In addition, windows were positioned on the eastern elevation to maximise solar gain from sunlight early in the day and underfloor heating was installed supplied by air source heat pumps. The building is also naturally ventilated, controlled automatically by the temperature and carbon dioxide levels within the hall.Once completed and in-use, attention turned to optimising the acoustic conditions through measures to reduce reverberation. Sports halls of all types are prone to high levels of reverberation given the presence of so many hard surfaces and few materials capable of absorbing soundwaves generated through speech, music and sporting activities.Following consultation between the architects and Hush Acoustics, a solution was proposed in the form of wall-mounted absorber panels. The technical team at Hush produced acoustic calculations based on the drawings provided by the architect, which enabled a plan to be developed showing how many absorber panels would be required and their locations within the hall.Hush Acoustics recommended the installation of 40x Hush Absorber 50 panels in three sizes – 1200 x 1200mm, 800 x 1200mm and 600 x 1200mm – which would cover more than 43 sq. m on the hall’s four walls. These absorbers are manufactured using a specially formulated 50mm thick acoustic foam which is hand finished with interior fabric applied to the face, edges and back return to offer a visually attractive result.The Hush team calculated that the installation of these panels would transform the acoustic environment through a significant reduction in reverberation time (RT) – that is the amount of time taken for sound to decay by 60 decibels (dB) in a closed space after the sound source stops. It would also ensure that the RT was in line with the levels specified for school refurbishment projects in BB93 (Building Bulletin 93) of between 1.67s and 2.01s.Prior to completion of the acoustic treatment, the 1000Hz RT was calculated at 3.90s. Following the installation of the Hush Absorber 50 panels, this reduced to 1.70s. Similarly dramatic reductions were also noted in the RT for lower and higher frequency sounds at 500Hz and 2000Hz.Now that Hush Absorber 50 sound absorber panels are installed, the New Horizons Seaside Primary School sports hall not only provides a model for sustainable development, but a high quality teaching space that is popular with teachers and pupils alike.

In this project, Hush Acoustics were tasked with a project in Douglas, the capital of the Isle of Man, to provide a solution for a beautiful mid terraced property recently converted into 4x spacious apartments over four floors.With the apartments located very close to a road, the issues became apparent after spending some time inside, with road traffic noise as well as public background noise clearly heard.Key to resolving the issues was to ensure appropriate acoustic measures were carried out when converting this existing property into apartments, and that the party walls and/or ceilings met the required standards for conversion under the Building Regulations, Approved Document E.Working with Andrew Bentley, the architect and Kevin Cretney of Kinrade Construction, a solution incorporating the following was provided:HD1044 ACOUSTIC BASEMENT SYSTEMThis system has been created with residential properties in mind and is made up of a combination of materials that offer excellent sound reduction within the specified area.The basement system is made up of Hush Slab 100 which is tightly packed within the joists, Hush Deep Resilient Bars, which are fixed horizontally to the underneath of the joists and Hush Multi Panel which is fixed to the underside of the bars. 15mm of Fireline Plasterboard is then used to over board the Multi Panel.HD1041 ACOUSTIC WALL LINING SYSTEMThis system has been thoroughly tested to exceed Building Regulations and our competitor’s wall lining products. It is made up of Hush Multi Panel, the 15mm Fireline which is then installed over, ensuring joints are staggered. The perimeters are sealed using Hush Isolation Tape, as well as our Acoustic Sealant. These boards are then fixed to the Deep Resilient Bars and Hush Slab 25 is fitted in between. The Bars are then fixed horizontally to the wall.The benefits of this system are its high standards of airborne sound reduction, can reduce both flanking and direct sound transmission and creates a minimum loss of space.HD1038 HUSH ACOUSTIC FLOOR SYSTEM MF28This floor system is a highly rated performer and has again been thoroughly tested within areas that require exceptional acoustic control. Made up of Hush Panel 28 which is laid over the chipboard deck and sealed using Hush Seal 20. The Hush MF Ceiling System is then installed to the underside of the joists, to the back of the plasterboard lining. Hush Slab 100 is then installed tightly within the ceiling void. Two layers of plasterboard is then installed to the underside of the MF system and all perimeters sealed with the Hush Acoustic Sealant.Outstanding resultsTests carried out on completion of the acoustic treatment showed immediate results, which completely exceeded the acoustic requirements for conversion within the Building Regulations and also surpassed New Build standards.Chartered Architect, Andrew Bentley, said, "Thank you for all your help and support. I will be happy to use your products again in future."

Hinchley Wood School in Esher, Surrey is a mixed comprehensive academy, providing education for 11-18-year olds. They tasked Hush with a project to improve acoustic comfort in their sports hall following the success of a previous project to install Hush Absorber Panels within their canteen in 2016.Mike Robeson, Director of Finance and resources at the school, contacted us regarding their purpose-built Sports Hall in which they were experiencing severe reverberation issues. The Sports Hall has been in use for many years to carry out PE lessons and other sporting activities, along with being used as an Examination Hall.When being used for exams, the school were having to temporarily lay a carpet on the floor to dampen the sounds within the hall, hoping to create a calming and relaxing atmosphere with minimal echoes. However, this was unsatisfactory, and they sought an effective long term solution.When conducted a site visit which enabled us to measure the Sports Hall to be 8.5m in height, 27m in length and 18 m wide. The ceiling area features metal trunking around it and measures 486 sq. m in total. We calculated that 230.4 sq. m would need to be acoustically treated.In order to effectively treat the reverberation issues within the area, we specified 192x 50mm Hush Absorber panels to make the hall acoustically fit for purpose and they would need to be directly bonded to the metal deck.The panels that we supplied the school were from our new Polysorb range, in which the product itself is made from polyester as opposed to foam, giving equally excellent acoustic results. We also supplied these panels with a hard face material, to be damage protected from any equipment which may make its way up to the ceiling.The Polysorb panels are manufactured from 100% recyclable Polyester, in which a minimum of 45% is from post consumer waste PET (Plastic Bottles). The panels have been designed for exceptional sound absorption qualities, whilst being light-weight, impact resistant and durable. These panels can also be cut to any required size and finished in your chosen design.We allowed 5 working days to be able to fit the panels and were able to finish within 4. Whilst installing them, we also rescued 12 footballs and a whole host of shuttlecocks from the ceiling area!We are pleased to have been able to help the school with their reverberation issues and to make a positive impact on the pupils learning, as well as making for a more appropriate and less noisy exam hall.

Harbour Light Assisted Living CIC housing association approached Hush Acoustics to upgrade the floor within one of its flats to offer a higher level of soundproofing in line with the specific requirements of one of its tenants.The housing association, which specialises in providing bespoke accommodation and services to assist people with disabilities to fulfil their responsibilities as tenants and help them live an independent life, sought to improve the acoustic performance of a separating floor in the flat for a new resident. The individual suffered from an Autistic Spectrum Condition (ASC), also referred to as Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), which meant any flooring solution had to be appropriate for their needs, not only to reduce both impact and airborne ‘noise nuisance’ encroaching to the flat below, but also to ensure the final floor finish could be fully bonded to the acoustic substrate. The potential noise issues were regarded as higher than typical domestic noise which meant a more robust specification was required.The solution was provided by Hush Mat 15 with Hush Ply 28 overlaid. This provided the required mass, flexibility and isolation, as well as a robust surface to allow the floor covering to be directly bonded, ensuring it could not be lifted.

A residential developer approached Hush Acoustics after an acoustic test conducted on their project in St Leonards on Sea failed to achieve the acoustic compliance level needed under Approved Document E of the Building Regulations.The problem stemmed from a separating wall between two bedrooms which was constructed using a timber stud wall and had an overall thickness of 170mm. Its acoustic design was adequate on paper, but there was one issue that had not been correctly treated.One of the rooms measured 37m3 and the other 29m3 in size, with one notable consistent feature being a screed laid over a concrete floor.An airborne sound insulation sample test was carried out with no floor covering in place and this revealed a result of DnTw+Ctr 31dB.Levels of ‘flanking’ sound were significant - this meant sound was passing under the separating wall via the floor screed. The solution proposed by Hush Acoustics was to install Hush Mat 15 over the screed floor in both rooms.The effectiveness of this solution was evident in the follow-up test result of DnTw+Ctr 44dB. Whilst this result would be regarded as an average performance in most other types of buildings, the improvement here from a poor DnTw+Ctr of 31dB to 44db showed that Hush Mat 15 had delivered significant improvement and provided a solution to flanking transmission sound sources.The ensured the residential development satisfied the requirements of Approved Document E.

Hush Acoustics has improved the acoustic environment within its own HQ boardroom by installing its high performance Class A sound absorber panels.The 31 sq. m boardroom at its Sheffield site had been left relatively untouched since the company moved into the premises in 2022 as it focused on developing its production facilities and creating a high quality environment in its main open plan office area. As usage of the boardroom has steadily increased, however, improving the environment become a higher priority. Like many boardrooms, conference rooms and meeting rooms, the key issue being experienced was reverberation – this is where soundwaves reflect off hard surfaces back into the room to create an often unbearably noisy environment. This meant the room was a less than ideal setting for routine activities, such as meetings around the table and virtual meetings conducted through the room’s large screen and audio system, due to poor speech intelligibility resulting from the excessive background noise.The Hush team started the process of addressing the problem in the same way that they would with every client reverberation project by conducting a survey of the room and gathering accurate dimensions. This information was used to obtain the necessary acoustic calculations to determine which type of absorber panels would be most effective, the quantity and positioning.The reverberation time (RT60) prior to the work commencing was estimated at 3.5s. This is a level that is far higher than what would be recommended for meeting rooms in new build or conversion projects, because in an acoustic environment with these levels of reverberation it can be very difficult to hear what others are saying, compromising the core purpose of the room.A total of 28 Hush Absorber 50 panels, 12 of which were sized 1200x600x50mm and sixteen smaller panels measuring 600x600x50mm. The larger absorber panels were mounted on the walls, whilst the smaller panels were installed on both the walls and ceiling. In order to maintain aesthetics within the boardroom, the larger absorber panels were wrapped in an indigo blue coloured fabric to create a decorative feature, while the smaller panels were finished in a white fabric to blend into the décor. Post installation testing revealed the significant improvement that the sound absorber panels have made. Reverberation time was recorded at just 1.0s, meaning that the improvements were instantly noticed by members of the team and the boardroom is now far more popular with users as it better fulfils its potential.

When the 35th South West Cheshire Scouts moved into their brand new £285,000 state of the art Scout Centre, they immediately noticed that a problem with extreme echoes in the main hall.The hall is used by over 120 Beavers, Cubs and Scouts weekly, plus wider community use, so it was imperative that the acoustic issues were resolved as quickly as possible.The building itself was purpose built and is a conventional brick construction lined with Thermalite blocks. The main activity area measures 11 x 11 metres and around this are toilets, a kitchen, large equipment store and a small meeting room. The store area remains with the painted Thermalite blocks, but the remainder of the building has been rendered and skimmed with plasterboard. The decision was made by the Scout leaders that it was inappropriate to use plasterboard in the main activity hall fearing it would not stand up to the rigorous activities of the scouts and would soon get damaged, therefore opting for render and plaster. The ceiling was skimmed plasterboard.After immediate recognition of the acoustic problems within the building, the organisation approached Hush for advice and guidance. Our technical manager carried out tests, calculating the overall existing reverberation time to be 3.9 seconds with a peak at 500 Hz of 5.39 seconds. Subjectively the reverberation time seemed longer, around 6-8 seconds, which was surprising in a hall of these dimensions and construction.After carrying out the tests on the centre, Hush recommended a solution to treat the hall (aiming for a reverberation time of 1.5 seconds over the wider frequency spectrum) using 40x Hush Absorber 50 panels.The transformation was instantaneous, with immediate feedback that they could hear the room recovering. John Bennett, Group Scout Leader, said“The result has exceeded our hopes, it is now possible to have a quiet conversation whilst 20+ six to eight year olds are having fun! Not only that, it looks good as well.

Camelot Primary School approached Hush Acoustics to help improve the acoustics with its large dining hall, which was achieved successfully through the installation of Hush Absorber 50A panels.Having been impressed with the ability of Hush Acoustics to effectively treat poor acoustic conditions within educational buildings in a previous project, the school’s executive headteacher approached the company to explore the potential for reducing noise levels in a number of areas.The key room to address, given how busy it can be at lunch and break times, was the dining hall. The high ceilings which feature in the hall create a large volume and it is typically built and decorated with materials that result in many hard surfaces. While these surfaces are highly durable and low maintenance, they can contribute to poor acoustic conditions.The dining hall had become excessively noisy and echoey at peak times, with a significant build-up of background noise resulting from sound reverberation. This is caused when sound waves arereflected off hard surfaces back into the room, meaning that sounds generated through routine use, such as talking, music playing and furniture being moved, become unbearably loud.MEETING THE CHALLENGEHush Acoustics was tasked to provide a solution to the reverberation and echoing problem. The company worked with executive headteacher James Robinson and the school trust previously to successfully address a similar issue at its nearby Cobourg Primary School in 2018 with outstanding results.Step one was for Hush Acoustics to conduct a site survey to gather the information needed for the reverberation calculations in areas of concern. Whilst the survey concentrated on the dining hall, the team was also asked to assess another school hall and four classrooms which were regarded as being very poor acoustically with a view to improving these in future.The survey gathered information on material finishes within the room and the size of the areas as well as providing an opportunity to explore the possible positioning of the panels. The Hush team was then able to feed this information into its calculation software to arrive at the best possible reduction in reverberation.THE SOLUTION24x Hush Absorber 50A panels were mounted to the existing soffit because of the limited space available on the walls, where sound absorber panels are often positioned. The 1200 x 1200mm panels, which feature a 50mm thick acoustic foam and supporting brackets, were installed symmetrically within the bays that formed the ceiling and finished in an outer fabric colour that is consistent with the rest of the room.In terms of the acoustic improvements that could be achieved given the building design and usage, the installation of the absorber panels sought to reduce reverberation by half. The initial acoustic survey estimated that the dining room’s overall mid-frequency reverberation time (T mf ) was 6.01 seconds, but after the Hush Absorber 50A panels were fitted, this was cut to 2.97 seconds.Installation was completed during the school holidays by Hush Acoustics to avoid any disruption to the day-to-day operation of the school.

Hush Acoustics were tasked with resolving acoustic issues within the King’s House School in South West London.The two Victorian buildings feature a dining hall which had become an extremely noisy environment during lunch service, and this had become disruptive. The hall itself featured hard surfaces throughout with no sound absorption potential, and this was also a problem when the hall was being used to deliver assemblies.Hush Acoustics carried out tests using its Acoustic Modelling Software to measure the reverberation time within the area. Reverberation time is the most common way of expressing a room’s basic acoustic character. It is the time taken for a steady noise to decay by 60dB after its source has been abruptly cut off.After analysing the result of the tests, 31x Hush 50A panels were proposed to be mounted across the ceilings of the two areas to significantly reduce these noise levels. These panels comply with BB93 standards for school acoustics and all the UK Building Regulations relating to acoustics.Feedback from King’s House Estates Management was very positive, saying that the enhancements made to the space made a huge difference for the school as well as the children.Scott Beavers says “Work was carried out professionally and the sound reduction/intensity has decreased dramatically. This has really made a great improvement, thanks!”

The merger of two primary schools in south London meant one of the school buildings would be retaining and upgraded to facilitate the combined 380+ students in the 3-11 age range.The newly formed Bird in Bush Primary School is Southwark’s newest school, which has been adapted to accommodate an increased number of children to ensure their needs are met, and that the learning environment is inclusive for all.One of the ways the school was adapted prior to opening for the autumn term was to create the right acoustic conditions inside one of the classrooms for a student with special educational needs (SEN), who was moving from Coburg School. The child’s condition meant that they were more susceptible to the adverse effects of noise resulting from reverberation and echo, which could potentially have an impact on their learning outcomes.The child’s parents felt this was a particularly important issue to address given that their child was entering Year 6, which they believed would be more significant than previous school years and more stressful. The acoustic treatment deployed involved the installation of Hush Absorber 50 sound absorber panels. These products were previously installed in the school's large dining hall to reduce high levels of background noise and echo.The aim was to calculate the current reverberation time (RT), the time taken for the sound pressure level from the original sound to drop by 60dB after it stops, and work out how much absorption would be needed to bring this in line with the requirements of BB93.The solution provided by Hush involved the manufacture and installation of 40x Hush Absorber 50 panels, which were sized 1200 x 600 x 50mm and covered in a fabric coloured in a neutral tone to blend seamlessly with the classroom’s main colour. These were fitted onto the soffit of the classroom’s sloping ceiling which was important to ensure the walls could continue to be used for notice boards and other displays.Prior to their installation, the RT was measured at 3.8s and following the upgrade the reduction in reverberation is evident in the fact that this figure is now 0.8s. This was the lowest figure possible given the available space for the sound absorber panels on the soffit.Disruption to teaching was completely avoided because the Hush Absorber 50 panels were fitted in just one day during the summer holiday closure of the school.

Hush Acoustics provided the acoustic floor and wall solutions for a development in Ellesmere Port, Cheshire involving the conversion of a former Woolworths store turned snooker hall, which was being transformed into a ground floor sports shop with nine first floor apartments above. In addition to meeting the acoustic performance requirements, the client was also keen to ensure the design would meet the fire regulations required.Following a site visit, the Hush HD1030 system was specified for the separating floors. This is compliant with UK Building Regulations Approved Document E and is suitable for refurbishment projects with timber structures that incorporate lath and plaster ceilings – all with the benefit of a 1-hour fire resistance at ceiling level.We worked closely with EH Building Contractors to ensure the HD1030 acoustic floor system was installed to the required standard. For the separating walls, Hush Twin Frame Metal Stud Party Walls were installed onto the plywood structural floor and isolated using Heavy-Duty Isolation Tape. The stud walls were insulated using the Hush Slab 100 Sound Absorber, ensuring the cavity between the two stud frames were kept clear.The client had initially discussed keeping the original existing lay in grid ceiling within the shop, however, in order to achieve outstanding acoustic performance, the majority of the perforated metal panels from within the lay in grid ceiling had to be removed. Some of the original ceiling could be retained, however, with higher performing ceiling tiles used to replace it in other areas, maintaining the original features as per the client’s request.Once completed, acoustic testing was carried out on site to determine the success of the acoustic design and installation. First of all, the twin metal stud wall was tested, which achieved an airborne performance of 56db (DnTw+Ctr). An airborne sound test was then conducted between the sports shop and one of the first floor apartments which showed a performance of 47 dB (DnTw+Ctr).All of the acoustic performance goals were achieved without any significant ceiling treatment and our client was happy with the results.

Tudor House was opened as the offices for Hatfield Rural District Council by the Marquess of Salisbury in 1930. A grand old building, it was built in a Georgian style with a host of period features.When its purpose as a public administration building was over, a proposal for a conversion (material change of use) into apartments was put forward by Lioncrest. Whilst not a listed building, they proposed to retain all of the period features and, where time had taken its toll on the building fabric, restore and renovate the brickwork and stonework back to its former glory.Permission has been given to convert the offices into seven new luxury apartments comprising of four two bedroom apartments and three one bed apartments. The largest apartment was constructed in the roof space which entailed reconstructing the existing roof incorporating two large dormer windows and five roof lights. The building includes a large basement which was converted into stores for the occupants and for each of the apartments to have an allocated car parking space.Lioncrest consulted with Hush Acoustics at the design stage of this development for soundproofing advice and assistance with the design, specification and supply of the materials needed.There were a number of design issues to take into account due to the history of the building and the period features. Our soundproofing experts worked closely with Lioncrest to develop the most economical and convenient acoustic system to achieve the high results sought. The detailed and careful installation of the Hush materials allowed some fantastic sound reducing results giving the owners of the apartments a very good standard of living.A variety of products were combined to achieve the necessary sound reduction throughout the building’s separating floors, ceilings and walls. These included Hush Panel Cem 28, Hush Slab 100 Sound Absorber, Hush Seal 20 perimeter strip, Hush Bond Panel Adhesive, Hush MF Ceiling System and Hush Acoustic Hangers.Through detailed planning from Lioncrest with regard to the schedule, Hush Acoustics were able to deliver all acoustic materials to site ensuring that the deadline for completion was met. 

Hush Acoustics transformed the acoustic conditions within one of the two halls at a West Yorkshire primary school by providing a solution to reduce reverberation.The company was approached by the head teacher of Sandal Castle (VA) Community Primary School in Wakefield as part of a competitive tendering process after initiating a project to improve the acoustic environment within a school hall used for lunchtime, PE lessons and break out study classes. This large school complex had benefited from various modernisation work and extensions in recent years, but this particular part of the building was in need of upgrading to make it comfortable for teachers and pupils and bring it up to the same standard as the rest of the facilities.Given the presence of hard floors, walls and ceilings, which offer the durability required for a heavily used school hall, reverberation and echoing had become a major problem, and that had been correctly identified by the head teacher as she had been involved in a similar project at her previous school. The Hush Acoustics team worked closely with the head teacher from her initial enquiry right through to the installation team, which included two site visits to meet her and her team in-person before installation commenced to ensure any queries or concerns could be addressed most effectively. This personal approach was key to Hush Acoustics being awarded the contract as it ensured the school received an evidence-based report prior to appointing a contractor. Unlike the other companies invited to tender, Hush invested time in conducting a thorough site survey to provide the school with a detailed report containing accurate calculations and recommendations.Prior to installation, the Hush Acoustics team used its acoustic calculation software to assess the hall’s overall mid-frequency reverberation time (Tmf) at an estimated 6.62s, which is considerably high. The guidance document relating to acoustics in schools, BB93 (Building Bulletin 93) recommends that this should be between 1.50 and 2.00s (Tmf) for a multi-functional hall of this kind, which meant there was scope for significant improvement.Hush recommended a package containing three elements for the hall which is around 15m long x 11m wide and 5m high, and of typical masonry with steel beam construction with vinyl floor. Firstly, the ceiling would be treated through the installation of 20x Hush Absorber 50 Class A panels sized 1200 x 1200mm, directly bonded. A further 10x slightly smaller absorbers sized 1200 x 1000mm would also be directly bonded to the ceiling and 8x in the same size attached to the end walls of the hall – 4x at each end. Following approval of the proposal and costs, the school gave Hush the green light for the upgrade. The team then scheduled installation of the absorber panels over the summer holiday period, ready for the school opening again in the new school year. The improvements were instantly noticeable. The Hush Absorber 50 panels had been calculated to reduce the mid-frequency reverberation time (Tmf) from 6.62s to 1.5s, which meant speech intelligibility within the school hall had been transformed to make it a far more comfortable space to use for teachers, staff and pupils.As this project demonstrates, the Hush Acoustics team approaches every project of this kind with a tailored approach based on a comprehensive assessment of the buildings affected by reverberation. Site visits enables the team to accurately assess the issues faced and the context, which is important in achieving a solution that is most appropriate and cost-effective.

The acoustic environment inside a trio of modern city centre offices located in Manchester, Birmingham and Leeds had become an issue for the occupying businesses.Despite the three open-plan offices being created to a high specification, the experience for many of those working in them was less than satisfactory as a result of an extremely common, but often overlooked acoustic issue affecting spaces of this kind – reverberation. This is the problem of soundwaves generated through everyday activities, such as speaking and music playing, reflecting off hard surfaces back into the room and making it echoey and unfeasibly noisy. The landlord and operator of all three of these offices had created them to a contemporary style, including exposed soffits and services to give the spaces a stylish, industrial feel. However, this design, coupled with hard surfaces such as wooden floors, large areas of glazing and extensive desk spaces, meant that the acoustic conditions were poor when the offices were fully occupied because there was so little scope for soundwaves to be absorbed.As many of the staff working in these spaces are constantly speaking with customers on the phone, the level of background noise had become uncomfortable and a cause for concern. Hence, the landlord asked their fit-out contractor to address the situation who then contacted Hush Acoustics to investigate.Following an initial assessment of each office using photos supplied, the Hush team conducted site visits to ensure accurate acoustic calculations could be obtained in order to recommend the most appropriate solution. Prior to the work commencing, it was estimated that the reverberation time (RT60) within the offices was in the region of between 4s and 5s, well above the acceptable target level in the region of 1s to 2.5s.The benefits of improving the acoustic conditions in open plan offices are well documented and increasingly being recognised by property owners, landlords and agents. For businesses occupying offices where reverberation is minimised, research has shown that they benefit as a result of employees who are more satisfied overall, more productive and less prone to making errors during daily work. But, more importantly, their well-being is generally improved, partly due to their levels of stress hormones being lower.Hush Acoustics, working in conjunction with the fit-out contractor, recommended a solution which involved installing Class A acoustic rafts suspended from the ceilings in all three offices. Plans were drawn up by the contractor for the positioning of the acoustic rafts within each office according to the location of ventilation systems, other building services and available fixing points. Class A acoustic panels offer the highest possible levels of sound absorption with between 90% and 100% of sound absorbed, hence why they can make an instant impact in any space affected by high levels of background noise. Whilst acoustic panels can be mounted on walls and ceilings or suspended from ceilings as acoustic baffles, in these three office projects the most effective approach was to suspend them as acoustic rafts because it would maximise the area overhead to absorb soundwaves.Hush Acoustics manufactured a total of 91 acoustic rafts, all of which were sized 2400 x 1200 x 40mm and designed to be suspended from the soffits using raft fixing wires. At the Leeds and Birmingham offices 29 acoustic rafts were fitted, with 33 installed at the Manchester office.The sound absorber panels are manufactured by Hush Acoustics using a specially formulated 50mm thick acoustic foam which is wrapped and finished with interior fabric that is applied to the face, edges and back return. This means the appearance of the panels can be specified to coordinate with the interior décor or a company’s branding, and in the case of this client the decision was to choose the colour Denny.Since installing the acoustic rafts, the client has reported far higher levels of satisfaction with the office space amongst those using it. Post-installation testing has shown that the reverberation time has been reduced to between 1s and 1.5s in each location, instantly transforming the working environment and boosting productivity.

Hush Acoustics provided an acoustic control solution for the main exhibit at the SS Great Britain visitor attraction called ‘Brunel’s Mind’, in which visitors enter inside the head of Isambard Kingdom Brunel to see the world through his eyes.Working with Electrosonic, the technology experts ho were tasked with supplying and fitting most of the audio-visual equipment for the project, Hush Acoustics ensured any concerns around the reverberation times in this area could be effectively addressed. The solution came with Hush Wall Covering, a highly versatile product which is formed of unique non-woven high-density polyester to target mid-range frequency sound i.e. speech etc. Its used ensured that the audio presentation within this visitor feature would sound as it should.The Hush Wall Covering product used at the SS Great Britain is just 10mm thick so it utilises little space, which was perfect for the room. The product was developed as a direct result of extensive consultation with influential members of the education sector.Chris Hurst from Electrosonic was very pleased with the results of the wall covering and for our quick turnaround time, saying the product does “exactly what it says on the tin”.