Sound sustainability with Knauf acoustic ceilings
Creating sustainable spaces relies on the use of circular materials that maintain their functionality and performance over their lifetime and can then be recycled and reused.
Circular design is part of the development process of Knauf acoustic ceilings. Not only are they 100% recyclable, depending on local recycling restrictions, they are themselves made from recycled material. Knauf acoustic ceilings are made of gypsum, a natural and durable material which is recyclable. Repurposed gypsum boards are used in the production of acoustic ceilings, which contain up to 30% recycled gypsum. The tiles also contain biodegradable acoustic felt backing and 100% recycled cardboard.
Health benefits of acoustic ceilings
Acoustics are an integral part of building design and the importance of harnessing the properties of sound for the health and wellbeing of a buildings’ occupants is undisputed.
A study by Sykes (2004) found that improved acoustics can reduce stress levels by up to 27%, while the NHS Health Technical Memorandum 08-01 for the design of new healthcare buildings states that high levels of noise in healthcare facilities can lead to an increase in heart rate, blood pressure, respiration rate and blood cholesterol levels.
Specifiers must balance the need to manage the acoustics of a space with utilising products that help improve the building’s environmental performance. Knauf acoustic ceiling products can meet both these demands.
BREEAM and LEED credit-worthy
Knauf acoustic ceilings offer high acoustic performance and can also contribute to BREEAM and LEED credits by reducing building material life-cycle impacts. They do this through third party verified environmental product declarations, optimised sourcing of raw materials, not using materials on the dangerous REACH list and reusability of material.
Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) are data sheets which contain information about the environmental impacts from waste, energy use, water use and other resources. They are made by carrying out a lifecycle assessment and are verified by a third party. Knauf acoustic ceilings have EPDs which enables easy comparison of different solutions in a standardised format.
Benefits of gypsum
Gypsum is low VOC emitting so not only does it not compromise air quality, but Knauf acoustic ceilings also contain activated charcoal in their core which has known properties for absorbing VOCs. This helps improve indoor air quality meaning Knauf acoustic ceilings can be used as a primary ventilation ceiling.
Another benefit of gypsum acoustic ceilings is that they offer both absorption and diffusion capabilities. Non-gypsum acoustic products, such as mineral wool tiles, can only absorb sound and require a secondary product to be installed to be able to diffuse sound.
Gypsum is also durable so Knauf acoustic ceiling products will last a long time, with a longer life span than most non-gypsum equivalents, while maintaining their functionality and performance. They can also be repainted so that rather than having to be replaced, a worn-looking ceiling can simply be refreshed with a water-based paint. This helps to extend the life of a building without wasting any material.
To find out more about Knauf acoustic ceilings for your next sustainable project click here
View our new product sustainability credentials document View our new product sustainability credentials document click here and for specification enquiries contact National Ceilings Manager, Jan Woldanowski and for specification enquiries contact National Ceilings Manager, Jan Woldanowski [email protected]
