Sound solutions with Austral Bricks - sound resistance made easy

According to Brett Ward, marketing manager Austral Bricks, clay masonry is an excellent barrier that provides insulation to the transmission of airborne and impact generated sounds.

"We have carried out extensive sound testing at registered laboratories such as the National Accoustics Laboratory and the CSIRO. The testing has included walls constructed of single skin and cavity brickwork using combinations of plasterboard and render.

"The results have shown sound ratings up to RW 70, well in excess of the minimum requirements of the Building Code of Australia (BCA), can be achieved using clay bricks from the Austral Bricks range," Ward says.

"Sound levels are an important factor in today's building environment with multi-storied buildings and medium density developments a common part of modern day living.

"Improved acoustic performance can be achieved for detached dwellings when external walls are built with brick. Detached homes with internal brick walls protect families from road noise on busy streets and rowdy neighbours. This is because bricks will outperform plasterboard stud walls.

"Clay Bricks also provide security, load bearing capacity to the building, excellent fire resistance levels and thermal comfort which can reduce energy requirements," Ward adds.

Extensive testing has provided the following results. Two leaves of 110mm bricks as a solid wall will give a sound rating of Rw 59 (-1, -5). Two leaves of 110mm bricks as a solid wall with direct fixed plasterboard on both sides will give a rating of RW 54 (-2, -4) and two leaves of 110mm bricks as a solid wall with render both sides will give a rating of Rw 61 (-1, -5). All of these results are above the minimum requirements of the BCA.

The sound requirements of different construction projects are ideally met by Austral bricks which come in 90mm, 110mm and 150mm thickness.

Austral Bricks consultants are available to advise on the best Sound Solution option for construction projects and to assist with specification of the range. Test certificates are also available.