Acoustical-Rated Glazed Aluminum Doors

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Author Message John Regener, AIA, CCS, CCCA, CSI, SCIP Senior Member Username: john_regener Post Number: 551 Registered: 04-2002 Posted on Friday, May 04, 2012 - 12:52 am:    I have been challenged by a client to find glazed aluminum doors with STC 45. I there such a product? If so, what manufacturer(s)? John Bunzick, CCS, CCCA, LEED AP Senior Member Username: bunzick Post Number: 1389 Registered: 03-2002 Posted on Friday, May 04, 2012 - 09:44 am:    I used to work for a designer doing noise abatement of homes and schools near airports. You don't mention whether you are looking for sliding or swinging, or whether commercial or residential. Also, if the owner is concerned about urban or transportation noise, STC is not the best measure because it underweights lower frequencies - OITC is better. (STC is intended for frequencies of spoken voice.) On the commercial side, some manufacturers make so-called terrace doors that can achieve fairly high STC ratings, though I'd have to look them up to see what's available. The problem with the terrace door design is that it has a very high threshold (so it can meet high performance for air and water) and thus does not meet ADA requirements. Most ordinary commercial products have not been tested for sound transmission loss. A few that have don't publish that fact, so you have to ask them specifically if they have it. If you give me an idea of the application, I can perhaps offer better suggestions. Dave Metzger Senior Member Username: davemetzger Post Number: 423 Registered: 07-2001 Posted on Friday, May 04, 2012 - 10:21 am:    Years ago we did a multi-story residential project with STC-rated aluminum doors, both terrace swing doors and sliding doors. But they were in the 25-30 STC range; 45 STC for aluminum doors sounds optimistic. In the 45 STC range you're looking at, the doors and frames are a manufactured unit, along with hinges and acoustic seals/gaskets. I'd suggest contacting sound control door manufacturers. Ralph Liebing, RA, CSI, CDT Senior Member Username: rliebing Post Number: 1318 Registered: 02-2003 Posted on Friday, May 04, 2012 - 10:38 am:    Try this-- http://www.kriegerproducts.com/acoustical/ ken hercenberg Senior Member Username: khercenberg Post Number: 214 Registered: 12-2006 Posted on Friday, May 04, 2012 - 11:03 am:    Another option may be to customize, essentially oversize, an acoustical window and place it in a gasketed frame with appropriate hardware. You'll still need to get buy-in from the manufacturer and run in-situ OITC testing if the application calls for it, but it may get you close. Robin E. Snyder Senior Member Username: robin Post Number: 396 Registered: 08-2004 Posted on Friday, May 04, 2012 - 11:08 am:    I went through a similar exercise recently and we ended up with a steel door with a 1/2 lite. Richard L Matteo, AIA, CSI, CCS Senior Member Username: rlmat Post Number: 502 Registered: 10-2003 Posted on Friday, May 04, 2012 - 03:42 pm:    John, I would check with Arcadia. I would think they could insulate the aluminum door frame components with foam. Also, the glazing would want to be laminated, which would give a better STC. John Regener, AIA, CCS, CCCA, CSI, SCIP Senior Member Username: john_regener Post Number: 552 Registered: 04-2002 Posted on Saturday, May 05, 2012 - 02:15 pm:    I checked Krieger's website and found no glazed aluminum doors. There was a pretty picture of a glazed metal door that looked like it was in a subway station. The project is a school; no more information, of course. I simply want to know if something like this is/has been made. An addendum has been issued, adding sound-rated glazed aluminum doors. Now a bid RFI has been received wanting to know who-what-how and, being like a technical matter, it has been passed to the spec writer for resolution although the spec writer was never involved in and unaware of the addendum and product selection. Boy, I wish I had my crystal ball back from the repair shop. They'r still waiting for parts. John Bunzick, CCS, CCCA, LEED AP Senior Member Username: bunzick Post Number: 1390 Registered: 03-2002 Posted on Sunday, May 06, 2012 - 03:49 pm:    As Dave points out, you will have trouble getting STC 45, especially that complies with accessibility. In projects I worked on with this criteria, a dual door was typically required, with an aluminum door with IG units (one lite laminated) and a secondary door over that; both with good gasketing. Sometimes it is necessary to use judgement and experience about type of assembly what will probably achieve the desired STC, since there will almost certainly be no testing of the combination you anticipate. Also, with the right kind of acoustic consultation, alternative solutions can be found. It sounds like someone asked for something without knowing enough about acoustics, and what the market had available. This project is undoubtedly trying to meet the new-ish ANSI standards for acoustics in schools. scott piper (Unregistered Guest) Unregistered guest Posted on Tuesday, June 05, 2012 - 02:13 pm:    the type of sound you are attempting to control is crucial. Noise from a road, airport, railroad, etc. will typically be either high or low frequency (or both) and the STC is of little help in these types of situations. Laminated glass is a good suggestion and if you have insulated glass make the two panes different thicknesses. IE: one is 1/4" and the other is 3/16". Still 45 STC is going to hard to acheive. Overly Acoustical Doors would be a good source but that do not come cheap.