Architecture - Acoustical redecorating

We need to redecorate our kitchen/dining/family room and would like some ideas about methods to minimize the echoes that resonate in this large square room. Overall it's 20'x20'x8' with the outer 12x20 dining/family area surrounded by flat wall with 66 sq.ft. of glass. This is separated from the kitchen by a 42"x11' island and the kitchen has a dropped ceiling with egg-crated fluorescent lighting over most of the remaining 8'.

I know the noise stems from having a lot of flat surfaces--windows, papered sheetrock walls, hardwood cabinets and a mud-textured ceiling. Our only sound absorber is a glued-down commercial carpet now. That helps, say over hardwood flooring, but carpet has become passe' and we think we should go to wood or cork next. At one time we had acoustical "popcorn" on the ceiling and, although it helped, that's really retro.

We're not concerned about external noise because we live in an isolated, rural setting. It's just the noises from pots and dishes clanging, the stove fan running, the TV or even conversations reverberating that we'd like to muffle. A few thoughts I've had are constructing a plate rail around the top of the walls (though my wife hates this style and it wouldn't match anything else here), or some type of soffitting around the perimeter of the ceiling to create those step-coved ceilings seen in meeting rooms. Another thought would be to add a hanging soffit cabinet over the island counter that divides the kitchen from the rest, but I need ideas that would create angles and curves or that would be just another flat surface.

Thanks for any suggestions.:thinker:

Don

Hi Don,

Basically, there are two types of noise control: active and passive. Active will mean an acoustic (expensive) treatment. Passive will mean some tips to minimize the noise. I will try to provide some suggestions for passive control

As a general rule, shinny and impermeable materials reflect and maximize the noise. Porous and opaque elements absorb the noise. So, probably those 66 sq. ft of glass and windows are reflecting a lot of sound --> try to get windows treatments may help with this problem

Your wrote--> "I know the noise stems from having a lot of flat surfaces"--> Flat or curved surfaces are not related with noise reflection: a curved glass or a flat glass will reflect the noise in the same way. The curved surfaces may deflect the sound, but this type of calculation is not a DIY work :D

Hanging a rustic wood structure over the island (you can hang pans!!) will absorb a good amount of sound. In the same way, you can create some wood shelves / moldings in certain walls. To be effective, they must be in the upper part of the wall

In a kitchen, mechanical vibration is a major source of unwanted noise. Some strategic rubber mats (under the appliances) are very effective tricks because they absorb the vibration

Materials like porous HD foam are acoustic absorbents with great results--> you can 'hide" pieces of foam over the cabinets for example

A cork floor can be a good decision. Just avoid ceramic or other "shinny" materials

Hope this helps!

Would you further your discussion about hiding HD foam? Could something like that be installed as a room perimeter soffit, say in a 6"H x 8"W and how could it be camouflaged? Or placed as hung designer plaques on the ceiling or walls? I'm assuming it will do no good behind any type of barrier. Specifically, when you specify HD foam, are you envisioning solid materials like "blue board," sprayed foam, or soft foam like mattress material?

Forgive my ignorance.:o

Don

Hi Don,

Glad to help! :D
regarding the high density foam--> there are many commercial brands, types and formats.
Yes, you can mask the foam using several tricks, including a partial ceiling or a faux paneling
You can browse information about different types of noise absorbers foams, ceilings, panels, etc at this page (http://www.customaudiodesigns.co.uk/absorbers.htm)
The page instructs also where to place the different types of resources / foams

I checked the site you referenced, but alas, these products are sourced from the UK. The idea I particularly liked was the printed panel that compares to a wallpaper design, but I'm still trying to find similar products in the US.

In the mean time I'd like to have some material just to try, to see first what difference it may actually make. "Blue board" is considered HD, but is it sound absorbing or is it too smooth? There are so many different qualities of foam such as open cell and closed cell as well as structural configurations that I still don't know where to start. I understand applying 1/4" sheet rock over previous sheet rock is used for soundproofing, but I think that's more for preventing sound transmission from room to room and wouldn't dampen reverberations within a room.

Ideally what I can perceive is a porous, dense, sound absorbing paneling that could be applied over the existing sheet rock and then covered with a wear-resistant, decorative covering (other than carpeting :)). Do you know of any such product? Or better yet, how 'bout sound-deading paint :D!

Don

Hi Don,

I linked the webpage above because it is a very complete datebase, so you can get all the info. It is not a commercial reference (this is absolutelly not allowed in the DIY forums) (users and mods)
I'd suggest that you look for a local provider so you can check the different products and the applications in your case. probably is a good aidea if you go to the store with some pictures of your kitchen