Mastering Acoustics with Superior Shading Solutions

At NeoCon 2024, Mecho observed that acoustics were a key focus in innovative commercial space design. As leaders in the shading solutions industry, we are committed to delivering unmatched daylight management and pioneering solutions that meet diverse project requirements. Our shades play an essential role in creating acoustically optimized environments, making them a crucial consideration from the early stages of any project.

The Multidimensional Benefits of Shading Solutions

Shading solutions offer more than just daylight management, energy efficiency, and aesthetic appeal. They are pivotal in optimizing a building’s acoustics, ensuring privacy, clarity, and contributing to improved workplace satisfaction, focus, productivity, and stress reduction. At Mecho, we understand that our shades are often the first line of defense against reverberation, especially in spaces dominated by hard surfaces like glass windows.

Understanding the Science of Acoustics

Per Britannica, acoustics are the “science of sound, including its production, control, transmission, reception, and effects”. For occupant comfort and productivity, it requires careful consideration. There are two key measures, or ratings, of acoustical properties:
- NRC (Noise Reduction Coefficient) relates to sound absorption.
- STC (Sound Transmission Class) relates to sound blockage (or pass-through).

While both are important when it comes to designing for acoustics performance, two recent commercial construction trends are increasing the need for products that can absorb interior noise: open office environments and the proliferation of hard surfaces.

Sound waves can perpetually bounce off hard surfaces like floors, walls, ceilings, and windows. This creates an undesirable echo effect, measured by reverberation time or T60—the time it takes for sound to decay by 60 decibels. Reducing T60 through absorption is key, achieved by using materials that effectively absorb sound frequencies.

Soft surfaces, such as carpets, upholstered furniture, and acoustical ceilings, naturally increase the NRC value of a room. However, in the context of the growing trend of tall windows and glass facades, Mecho’s shading solutions serve as a crucial barrier against reverberation. Our shades are often the first soft material option for these hard vertical surfaces, making them indispensable in controlling acoustics.

See all Mecho Shade Cloth Acoustic Properties

The Role of Shading Materials in Acoustic Performance

Shading materials, particularly solar shades, are often overlooked yet can be significant contributors to acoustic performance. Glass windows typically have an NRC rating close to 0, reflecting almost all noise. Adding shades transforms this dynamic, significantly enhancing the NRC rating by introducing sound-absorptive properties. The combination of the windowpane, the shade, and the air gap between them boosts sound absorption and reduces reverberation.

As early adopters of solutions for the drawbacks of daylighting strategies, Mecho recognized the impact of our shades on the built environment long before others. We were pioneers in offering truly acoustic shade cloth, setting the standard for high-performance shading solutions.

Mecho’s Advanced Acoustic Solutions

Mecho’s solar shades stand out due to their sophisticated engineered fabric construction. Featuring fine fiber yarns, a woven design, and a porous final product, our shades deliver superior acoustic performance. Our fabric collections—EcoVeil, ThermoVeil, AcoustiVeil, SoHo, and EcoSheer—can provide NRC ratings from 0.5 to 0.6 at 1% openness, making them excellent for sound absorption while also reducing heat gain and glare. This intricate weave captures and dissipates sound energy, aided by the expansive surface area and minute gaps between yarns. In contrast, blackout fabrics, with their nonporous structure, are less effective at sound absorption but still play a role in comprehensive acoustic planning.

Additionally, two of our shade cloth collections with high NRC ratings—EcoVeil and EcoSheer — are sustainable options. These collections are PVC-free and material health certified, allowing you to specify shading solutions that provide high levels of acoustic comfort while also aligning with sustainability goals.

Achieving Holistic Acoustic Design in Commercial Spaces

Integrating acoustics into commercial space design enhances speech intelligibility, reduces noise levels, and fosters a comfortable environment for various applications, from offices and classrooms to multifamily housing and healthcare facilities. Professionals adhering to LEED and WELL building standards can utilize our shading solutions to meet sustainability and human health goals. Proper acoustic design minimizes the effort needed to maintain comfort and productivity, reducing distraction and stress.

Effective acoustic planning benefits a wide range of applications, improving sleep quality, reducing stress, enhancing concentration, boosting mental well-being, and ensuring privacy. Including window treatments in acoustic design is powerful for achieving efficient and effective results.

Office
Limit distractions, reduce stress, create privacy, increase focus/productivity.

Education
Limit distractions, reduce stress, increase focus/productivity.

Multi-Family
Create privacy, improve sleep quality, enhance A/V experience for movies, TV, and sports.

Healthcare
Create privacy, limit stress, improve sleep quality, boost mental well-being.

Work with Mecho for Optimal Acoustic Solutions

Mecho is your partner in providing maximum noise reduction using shade fabrics with high NRC ratings. Our ability to produce some of the largest shades in the industry, accommodate non-standard windows and glass configurations through our ETO process, and ensure optimal deployment with our SolarTrac software and MechoNet control systems sets us apart. For example, by integrating Mecho shade systems with occupancy sensors, you can prioritize noise reduction when spaces are occupied, then revert to energy savings or other priorities when unoccupied. Trust Mecho to deliver innovative, high-quality shading solutions that guarantee optimal acoustical quality.

Enhance your commercial space design with Mecho’s superior shading solutions and experience the transformative power of optimized acoustics.

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