Page 47 - InnoRenew CoE International Conference 2021, Healthy and Sustainable Renovation with Renewable Materials
P. 47
rspectives of wood-based products for acoustic purposes in building
Luca Versino 1, Simone Blanc 1, Francesco Negro 1, Roberto Zanuttini 1
1. Department of Agricultural, Forest and Food Sciences - University of Torino, Largo Paolo Braccini 2, 10095 Grugliasco, Italy,
luca.versino332@edu.unito.it, simone.blanc@unito.it, francesco.negro@unito.it, roberto.zanuttini@unito.it
Acoustics is key to well-being in indoor environments. For instance, acoustic comfort reduces the stress
level and contributes to focus attention, whereas poor acoustics can result in headaches, sleep disorders
and loss of productivity (Cowan J.P., 2016).
Wood-based products are widely used to improve the acoustics of indoor environments, especially
in large rooms such as conference halls, restaurants and open space offices. In such spaces, sound
absorption and sound insulation are the main acoustic properties required. These properties are limited
in wood; therefore, they have to be conferred to wood and its derived products, and various methods
are today well-established on the market (Negro et al., 2020). Common examples are sound-absorbing
perforated panels used as ceiling coverings or wooden floorings paired with sound-insulating materials.
Further, proper acoustic design shall consider not only the use of single products but also the building as
a whole, as it happens for cross-laminated timber structures.
The contribution illustrates the use and market perspectives of wood-based products for acoustic
purposes in building. To this aim, the European legislation was examined (Rasmussen, 2018), the main
products on the market were analyzed, and the scientific literature was reviewed. Based on the information
gathered, a SWOT analysis (Strength, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats) was carried out.
Overall, it can be stated that acoustic wood-based products have relevant future potential. This also
considering the increasing attention towards the use of sustainable materials and the acoustic comfort
in a building. To exploit entirely such potential, specific solutions have to be fine-tuned also considering
the installation of these products. Finally, their acoustic properties shall be assessed together with other
elements relevant to well-being, such as aesthetic appearance, that are key to the use of wood in indoor
environments.
Keywords: acoustics, building, sound absorption, sound insulation, wood-based products
References
Cowan, J.P., 2016. The effects of sound on people. John Wiley & Sons, Inc., Chichester.
Negro, F., Cremonini, C., Fringuellino, M., Zanuttini, R., 2017. An innovative composite plywood for the acoustic
improvement of small closed spaces. Holzforschung 71(6): 521-526. doi: 10.1515/hf-2016-0122
Rasmussen, B., 2018. Building acoustic regulations in Europe - Brief hystory and actual situation. Proceedings of:
BNAM - Baltic-Nordic acoustic meeting, Harpa, Reykjavik, Iceland, 15-18 April.
HEALTHY AND SUSTAINABLE RENOVATION WITH RENEWABLE MATERIALS
47
Luca Versino 1, Simone Blanc 1, Francesco Negro 1, Roberto Zanuttini 1
1. Department of Agricultural, Forest and Food Sciences - University of Torino, Largo Paolo Braccini 2, 10095 Grugliasco, Italy,
luca.versino332@edu.unito.it, simone.blanc@unito.it, francesco.negro@unito.it, roberto.zanuttini@unito.it
Acoustics is key to well-being in indoor environments. For instance, acoustic comfort reduces the stress
level and contributes to focus attention, whereas poor acoustics can result in headaches, sleep disorders
and loss of productivity (Cowan J.P., 2016).
Wood-based products are widely used to improve the acoustics of indoor environments, especially
in large rooms such as conference halls, restaurants and open space offices. In such spaces, sound
absorption and sound insulation are the main acoustic properties required. These properties are limited
in wood; therefore, they have to be conferred to wood and its derived products, and various methods
are today well-established on the market (Negro et al., 2020). Common examples are sound-absorbing
perforated panels used as ceiling coverings or wooden floorings paired with sound-insulating materials.
Further, proper acoustic design shall consider not only the use of single products but also the building as
a whole, as it happens for cross-laminated timber structures.
The contribution illustrates the use and market perspectives of wood-based products for acoustic
purposes in building. To this aim, the European legislation was examined (Rasmussen, 2018), the main
products on the market were analyzed, and the scientific literature was reviewed. Based on the information
gathered, a SWOT analysis (Strength, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats) was carried out.
Overall, it can be stated that acoustic wood-based products have relevant future potential. This also
considering the increasing attention towards the use of sustainable materials and the acoustic comfort
in a building. To exploit entirely such potential, specific solutions have to be fine-tuned also considering
the installation of these products. Finally, their acoustic properties shall be assessed together with other
elements relevant to well-being, such as aesthetic appearance, that are key to the use of wood in indoor
environments.
Keywords: acoustics, building, sound absorption, sound insulation, wood-based products
References
Cowan, J.P., 2016. The effects of sound on people. John Wiley & Sons, Inc., Chichester.
Negro, F., Cremonini, C., Fringuellino, M., Zanuttini, R., 2017. An innovative composite plywood for the acoustic
improvement of small closed spaces. Holzforschung 71(6): 521-526. doi: 10.1515/hf-2016-0122
Rasmussen, B., 2018. Building acoustic regulations in Europe - Brief hystory and actual situation. Proceedings of:
BNAM - Baltic-Nordic acoustic meeting, Harpa, Reykjavik, Iceland, 15-18 April.
HEALTHY AND SUSTAINABLE RENOVATION WITH RENEWABLE MATERIALS
47
