noisethrough

Noisethrough is the informal term for the transfer of acoustic energy from a noise source to a receiver through a barrier, resulting in audible sound on the far side despite attempts to isolate the source. In practice, it describes noise leakage through partitions, enclosures, or assemblies. The term emphasizes the actual transmission, as opposed to noise generation or reflection within a space.

In buildings, noisethrough occurs when barriers lack sufficient mass or damping, have openings, or exhibit flanking transmission. Factors include material density, stiffness, sound transmission class, and the presence of gaps around doors and windows. Frequency dependence matters: higher frequencies are often attenuated more effectively by mass, while low frequencies can pass through more easily.

Measurement and assessment use transmission loss TL and standardized STC ratings, which summarize a barrier’s effectiveness across mid- to high-frequency bands. Real-world performance can differ due to openings, joint details, and vibration coupling with supporting structures.

Mitigation strategies include increasing barrier mass, adding damping layers, properly sealing gaps, using decoupled assemblies (such as resilient channels or double-wall construction), and addressing flanking paths. Acoustic seals around doors and penetrations, decoupled floating floors, and vibration isolation often reduce noisethrough significantly.

Applications extend to architectural acoustics, product housings, and vehicle interiors, where controlling noise transfer improves comfort and performance. While widely discussed in acoustics literature, noisethrough is not a formal technical standard by itself; it is a descriptive term for the leakage behavior of a barrier.