Features and materials to minimise the impact of noise from both outside and within the home, are important for your enjoyment of your living environment. We look at some of the options.

Building Code requirements

Building Code Clause G6 Airborne and Impact Sound provides for the control of noise transmitted into the habitable spaces of abutting household units. Its objective is to 'safeguard people from illness or loss of amenity as a result of undue noise being transmitted between abutting occupancies'. The Approved Document provides limits on the noise received from outside the household unit and noise within the house, such as creaking floors and the activities of people, by giving minimum performance levels for walls, floors and ceilings.

The Australian/New Zealand Standard AS/NZS 2107:2000 contains recommendations for sound levels and reverberation times inside buildings. Your designer should know what is required to meet Building Code requirements.

Methods of managing noise

One way of controlling noise nuisance is by house design, for example, placing the rumpus room and utility rooms like kitchens and laundry away from the quiet rooms such as the study and bedrooms. Buffer zones, such as hallways or cupboards, are another means of noise transmission control. The impact of noise from outside, such as from traffic and neighbours, can be minimised by designing the layout so that rooms which should be quieter are furthest from the noise source.

Other methods include:

• Using wall boards with noise control properties.
• Insulation usually also helps control noise transmission.
• Carpet and underlay on an upper floor help deaden sound.
• Flooring designed to control noise.
• Noise control glass.
• Insulation around plumbing pipes.
• Seals around doors.

The effectiveness of noise control materials will be reduced if there are gaps, for example, under doorways, or through downlights and power outlets.