Acoustics

There are three major ratings that relate to ceiling tile acoustics: Noise Reduction Coefficient, Sound Trasmittance Class, and Ceiling Attenuation Class. Only some tiles are rated in all three categories, and the value of each rating is only meaningful in the context of the actual installation where the tile will be used. It is important to note that these values are achieved in a laboratory, and the measurements are not considered field data. Said another way: "Your results may vary," depending on where and how the tiles are used and what you expect of them.

Noise Reduction Coefficient (NRC)

Noise Reduction Coefficient (NRC) is a general rating that tells you how much sound a surface (in this case a ceiling tile) will absorb. This rating is represented as either a percentage or a decimal, with 1 (or 100%) being perfect absorption and 0 (or 0%) being perfect reflection. In other words, the higher the decimal or percent, the more sound the tile will absorb.

* Both NRC.85+ and NRC.50+ include Soniguard within the system, thus, we have chosen to represent only its NRC alone (which includes Soniguard).

Sound Transmission Class (STC)

Sound Transmission Class (STC) is used to rate several different types of building materials for their ability to block sound and prevent it from passing through them. Putting appropriate material between you and a sound source can reduce the apparent loudness of the sound. Adding material with an STC of 5 is clearly noticeable and an STC of 10 or more cuts the apparent loudness by 50%. As the STC goes up, the loudness continues to go down.

* Both NRC.85+ and NRC.50+ include Soniguard within the system, thus, we have chosen to represent only its total STC alone (which includes Soniguard).

Ceiling Attenuation Class (CAC)

Ceiling Attenuation Class (CAC) is a measure that tells you how much sound travels up through a ceiling, through a common plenum (the area above a suspended ceiling), and then into an adjacent interior space. See ASTM E1414 - Standard Test Method for Airborne Sound Attenuation Between Rooms Sharing a Common Ceiling Plenum.

Note that attenuation can be reduced by typical troffer and can lights, fire sprinklers, and other through-ceiling penetrations. Lost performance can be avoided by using Ceilume's drop-out and Transluminous™ (light-transmitting) panels that allow light fixtures and sprinklers to be installed above ceilings without penetrating the ceiling plane. This means that Ceilume's panels can outperform other types of panels whose higher test results are compromised by penetrations.

* Both NRC.85+ and NRC.50+ include Soniguard within the system, thus, we have chosen to represent only its total CAC alone (which includes Soniguard).