May 25th 2025 – KTD Acoustics

We’ve spoken with several architects, developers, and builders regarding acoustics for new custom home builds, home additions, and renovation projects. In our discussions, we’re often met with “we don’t do condos or townhomes”, “our clients don’t usually ask for acoustic treatments like sound panels”, or “we’re not at the right design/construction phase for acoustical considerations yet.” Most of these are valid points, since acoustical design is generally only required by code for multi-residential developments (such as condos and townhomes), and you generally want to follow your clients’ instructions. The “right” phase for acoustical services varies, and is discussed later on. 

But before foregoing the rest of this article, or indeed an acoustical consultant on your next project, consider your approach to design and client services. Are your designs based on the bare minimum requirements in codes and standards, or do you go above and beyond to make the project functional, modern, and sustainable? Do you simply defer to your client for design specifics, or do you offer design input based on experience, knowledge, and creativity to make the space one that not only fulfils their identified requirements, but one that addresses key elements they may not have thought of and even exceeds their expectations?

Here’s the thing – acousticians are specialists, just like architects, builders, or engineers. Of course we listen to our clients and do our best to understand them and help their ideas come to life. But it’s not just our job to take a client’s general design requirements and make them code compliant. It’s our responsibility to translate a client’s wants and needs into real-life constructions, informed by our specialized knowledge and experiences, and driven by our niche passions. 

Just like the shape, materiality, and lighting contribute to how we experience a space, so too does its acoustics. In fact, many of these main architectural design aspects are intertwined with the acoustics of a space – the shape, size, and materials will significantly affect its interior acoustics and potentially the sound isolation between spaces. With good acoustics, the functionality of a space can be enhanced by making speech intelligible in living areas, allowing bedrooms and home offices to be quiet and comfortable, minimizing noise transfer between rooms, and giving vibrance to recreational or music rooms. With bad acoustics, the environment might be uncomfortable, annoying, or even dysfunctional.  

This leads us to a fundamental aspect of acoustics: acoustical design considerations are exactly those, and not post-construction considerations. We’ve dealt with projects where clients brought up a host of issues with noise and vibrations after assuming occupancy, such as:

• Noise transfer issues where sounds from some area(s) disturb living and sleeping spaces, such as from separate basement units to the main floor (and vice versa), 
• High reverberation in living areas making it less enjoyable to converse, have guests over, or watch TV,
• Noise and vibration transfer from equipment, such as HVAC units, generators, and hot tubs,
• Noise and/or vibration ingress from outside, especially for properties near main roads, railways, facilities (industrial or commercial), or airports, and
• Complaints about noise, vibrations, or general acoustic quality in (or from) home offices, gyms, theaters, music rooms, recreation spaces, and other special-purpose spaces. 

In almost all these cases, the issue is not easy to resolve because the home has already been built, added to, or renovated without acoustical considerations during design. Since many fundamental architectural elements inherently affect the acoustics of a space, it’s too late for an easy fix. Many clients, both owners and architects, look to us to recommend acoustic panels or other finishes to improve or even solve their issues. However, a vast majority of noise issues cannot be remedied by simply adding surface treatments to walls or the ceiling. Acoustic finishes definitely help with absorbing sound, which can greatly improve the reverberation (how long sounds “linger” in a room), but many other acoustic metrics contribute to having a well-designed and functional space. 

For example, wall and floor-ceiling compositions, junction details, glazing size and selections, mechanical and electrical service paths and penetrations, isolation of equipment, and acoustic lines-of-sight will all affect the acoustical quality of a project. These are things that generally must be addressed during the design phases of a project, particularly early in design when there is the flexibility to make significant changes to these elements as well as to room arrangements and overall layout, as needed.

In light of all of the above, we can summarize our main recommendations, important notes, and best practices for acoustical design in new home builds, additions, and renovations:

• It’s not just about regulatory compliance, and not always obvious when an acoustician could add significant value to a project. Reach out to an acoustical consultant from early in a project.
• Architectural, interior design, mechanical, and electrical design aspects of a project all contribute to its acoustical performance – collaboration is key. 
• View KTD Acoustics’ downloadable Pre-Design Acoustical Checklist, Information Sheet for Architects, and blog posts for more information.

We believe the best approach to acoustics is to involve an acoustical consultant from early on in a project. This is why we offer free consultations – to help determine what aspects of a project, if any, require special considerations from an acoustical perspective. Let’s start communicating from early on in design to ensure the client gets the best end product possible.