Consider Probable Costs: Begin with the “Low-Hanging Fruit”

Most building envelope strategies support energy conservation as well as reductions in noise, so payback can be quantified in real savings by approaching this in tandem.

Consideration of layout and building material strategies early in the design phase will help to contain construction costs. You also must educate your client and your contractors. Additional booklets on the ANSI 12.60 Standard aimed at School Districts and General Contractors are available through the Acoustical Society of America. The American Institute of Architects cal also help.

Explain to your contractor how carefully you’ve detailed your drawings and specifications.  This level of care has not been used to make his life more difficult or to create expensive connections or methods – on the contrary, you’ve spent time and energy figuring out how to maximize acoustical separation between spaces so (s)he won’t have to!

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