South Korea’s first “ceiling-type soundproofing structure,” a novel approach to tackling the persistent issue of inter-floor noise in apartment buildings.
(Image courtesy of Hyundai Engineering)
SEOUL, Oct. 16 (Korea Bizwire) – In a significant breakthrough for urban living, Hyundai Engineering announced on October 15 that it has developed South Korea’s first “ceiling-type soundproofing structure,” a novel approach to tackling the persistent issue of inter-floor noise in apartment buildings.
Unlike traditional floor-based soundproofing methods, this innovative system is installed in the ceiling, offering a solution that can be implemented without altering existing building structures. This feature makes it particularly suitable for older apartments, renovation projects, and buildings that fall short of current noise regulations.
The new system works by installing metamaterial sound-absorbing materials between the floor of the upper level and the ceiling finish of the lower level. This dual-layered approach targets both structure-borne sound (vibrations transmitted through solid structures) and airborne sound (noise traveling through air).
South Korea’s first “ceiling-type soundproofing structure,” a novel approach to tackling the persistent issue of inter-floor noise in apartment buildings. (Image courtesy of Hyundai Engineering)
“This technology effectively addresses the limitations of conventional floor-based soundproofing methods,” a Hyundai Engineering representative stated. “We are committed to ongoing research and development to help residents escape the nuisance of inter-floor noise.”
A key component of the system is the multi-anti-resonance mode technology incorporated into the metamaterial sound-absorbing materials. This technology is particularly effective at blocking low-frequency noise, such as the sound of children running, which has traditionally been challenging to mitigate.
In field tests conducted by Hyundai Engineering and JJNS, the system demonstrated a 4-decibel reduction in heavy impact sound compared to existing methods. This improvement is significant, considering that conventional floor-based systems typically require an additional 30mm thickness to achieve a 1-2 decibel reduction.
The meta-material used in the system is remarkably thin (2-6mm) and lightweight (about 2.7kg per unit area), facilitating easy installation and maintenance. The dry construction method allows for rapid implementation, with installation typically completed in just three days.
Kevin Lee (kevinlee@koreabizwire.com)
