BU3 Module 1.3 A. Local Acoustical Materials

MODULE 1.03 – A.
ACOUSTICAL
MATERIAL
STRAW
Straw is the inedible chaff, or stalks, of
grain grasses such as wheat, rice, barley,
and rye, and has been used by farmers for
generations as animal bedding and for
visual and sound barriers for their homes
and fields
● Straw can be used in the form of panels or bales
● Straw-bale is also used as construction material
● Straw also can be sewed into a frame to make panels
● fragile but flexible material is easy to work with
● full sound absorption, attenuation and sound transmission is
seen
● available in various sizes
Strawbale wall detail
PROS AND CONS
● provides noise reduction through sound absorption
● provides thermal insulation, reduces ceiling maintenance
● is lightweight
● is very low of cost
● is easily available
● natural and eco friendly
● not a conventional material

COIR FIBRE
Coir Fibre is obtained from the husk of the coconut.
It is suitable as a substitute to synthetic fibres and
wood-based materials for acoustic absorption
purposes. These fibres have many advantages
because they are cheaper, renewable, non-abrasive
and do not give rise to health and safety issues
during processing and handling. It is being used in
tropical areas like Kerala for some time.
● Coir is gold hued, naturally lustrous and fibrous in terms of texture.
● It is available in tropical areas like Kerala, Goa, etc.
● It is used in combination with perforated panels and these panels can then
used for acoustical treatment.
● Available sizes of perforated panels - 1000mm x 2000mm, 1250mm x
2500mm, 1500mm x 3000mm.
● Tiles and Mattings are also made out of coir which make good sound
absorbing materials.
PROS AND CONS
● is strong, brittle and light-weight.
● 100% biodegradable.
● no potential health and safety risk during processing and handling.
● is available in abundance.
● absorbs sound and reduces noise.
● can be recycled.
● not very durable.
● not very popular; can become difficult to source.

CORK
Cork is a prime subset of bark tissue that is
harvested for commercial use.
Cork can be separated from trees without

causing permanent damage.
It is an impermeable, buoyant material.

● Cork is very easy to install.
● It is used in buildings where it is necessary to reduce noise
transmission from floor to floor or from room to room.
● Acoustic cork deadens the impact noise, such as that made by
high heel shoes on hardwood floors, ceramic, marble or stone
flooring.
● Cork wall panels and cork ceiling tiles are used for acoustical
treatment.
● It can help absorb and dissipate sounds to reduce disruptions
and improve the acoustics in a room.
PROS AND CONS
● is very light-weight.
● is durable and long-lasting.
● is renewable.
● is resistant to dust and toxin absorption.
● is inexpensive.
● without proper protection, it can stain.
● it is not water-proof.
MOSS
Moss is a natural lichen which can used
indoors as well as in shaded outdoor areas.
It needs a min. relative humidity of 40%,
and does not require any maintenance, light
or water. It blends with other acoustic
materials like ceramic, wood, PVC, EPS etc.
It has an absorption value of around 1.0.
● Moss panels are attached to a base (eg-MDF,
aluminium) with an acoustic layer of natural fibres.
● It is available in various sizes like 30cmx30cm,
80cmx80cm, and can be attached with or without seams.
● It could enhance the ‘Green’ quotient of buildings.
● It is a lichen and hence has a grass like appearance.
● It is available in various colours.
Method of installation
Pros
● easy installation and requires no maintenance
● high performance acoustic insulator
● bio-degradable, non-toxic, available in colours
● compliments other materials
● Dust repellent/ does not attract fungal attacks
● Delays the spread of fire
Cons
● High initial cost
● Technology mostly in development stage
● Environmental factors needs to be taken care of.

Hempcrete
Hempcrete is a bio-composite made of the inner
woody core of the hemp plant mixed with a lime-
based binder. The hemp core has a high silica
content which allows it to bind well with lime.It is
not used as a structural element, only as insulating
infill between the frame members though it does
tend to reduce racking. All loads are carried by
internal framing. Wood stud framing is most
common making it suitable for low-rise
construction. Hempcrete buildings ten stories high
have been built in Europe.
The material is mixed in mortar mixers for 1-2 minutes
and stuffed by hand into the wall cavities. The wall is slip-
formed with temporary wooden or plastic “shuttering”
forming the inner/outer surface forms.
Construction costs may be reduced by:

Shallower foundations
30-40% less lumber, labour in framing
Lower transport costs of materials to site
Reduced mechanical (HVAC) requirements
PROS
Thermal Mass Insulation
Durable and Recyclable
Negative Carbon
High Thermal Resistance
Design Flexibility (adjustable thickness)
Fire and Pest Resistant (NO Termites)
Significantly Reduce Co2 Emissions
Inherently Airtight
No Waste (re-build or fertilise)
ZERO LANDFILL
CONS
● Hempcrete breathes well, and care must be
taken to maintain it.
● Only lime-based paints can be used.
● They are more expensive and more difficult
than the modern latex acrylic paints.

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MODULE 1.03 – A.

● provides thermal insulation, reduces ceiling maintenance

● is very low of cost

● natural and eco friendly

● not a conventional material

● is strong, brittle and light-weight.

● no potential health and safety risk during processing and handling.

● absorbs sound and reduces noise.

● not very durable.

● not very popular; can become difficult to source.

Cork can be separated from trees without

It is an impermeable, buoyant material.

● is durable and long-lasting.

● is resistant to dust and toxin absorption.

● without proper protection, it can stain.

● easy installation and requires no maintenance

● high performance acoustic insulator

● bio-degradable, non-toxic, available in colours

● compliments other materials

● Dust repellent/ does not attract fungal attacks

● Delays the spread of fire

● High initial cost

● Technology mostly in development stage

● Environmental factors needs to be taken care of.

Construction costs may be reduced by:

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