Noise control, moisture control and ventilation
We look at some of the options for minimising the impact of noise and moisture at home.
We look at some of the options for minimising the impact of noise and moisture at home.
Features and materials to minimise the impact of noise and moisture from both outside and within the home, are important for your enjoyment of your living environment. We look at some of the options.
Building Code Clause G6 Airborne and Impact Sound provides for the control of noise transmitted into the habitable spaces of abutting household units. Its objective is to 'safeguard people from illness or loss of amenity as a result of undue noise being transmitted between abutting occupancies'. The Approved Document provides limits on the noise received from outside the household unit and noise within the house, such as creaking floors and the activities of people, by giving minimum performance levels for walls, floors and ceilings.
The Australian/New Zealand Standard AS/NZS 2107:2000 contains recommendations for sound levels and reverberation times inside buildings. Your designer should know what is required to meet Building Code requirements.
One way of controlling noise nuisance is by house design, for example, placing the rumpus room and utility rooms like kitchens and laundry away from the quiet rooms such as the study and bedrooms. Buffer zones, such as hallways or cupboards, are another means of noise transmission control. The impact of noise from outside, such as from traffic and neighbours, can be minimised by designing the layout so that rooms which should be quieter are furthest from the noise source.
Other methods include:
The effectiveness of noise control materials will be reduced if there are gaps, for example, under doorways, or through downlights and power outlets.
Moisture accumulates in the house from people bathing, showering, cooking, breathing, and watering plants. It also comes into a home from outside. Some appliances, such as unvented gas heating, clothes dryers, dishwashers and washing machines also produce excess moisture into the air.
The moisture builds up quickly and is worse in modern homes which are built to be almost airtight. On cold days you can see the moisture when it collects on the windows as condensation. It is also absorbed into fabrics and building materials. The problem with this moisture build-up is that it can cause mould and mildew on walls and fabrics, which is not only unsightly, but can trigger allergies. For example, dust mites - the source of one of the most powerful biological allergens - thrive in damp conditions.
If you are building a new house, there are a number of chemicals and resins present in many building materials which continue to leak into the indoor atmosphere for many months after you move in. This can be managed with good ventilation.
The options for managing moisture are:
Ideally the air in a home should be 'renewed' every two hours, even when you are not at home. Some simple options are to fit aluminium windows with passive air vents or to fit security stays that allow the windows to be left ajar. When windows and doors cannot be left open, consider mechanical ventilation systems and air conditioning systems:
This depends on the design of your house, its floor area, the location, how much sun the house gets, the type of roof ... even the local climate.
Before you install any system, do some homework. We've outlined how the different designs work and some of their pros and cons which should help you decide whether your house is suitable for any of the systems available. Consider what you want to achieve against the types of system – and also look for any extra features you might need to meet your particular requirements.
For best results, a system should be designed specifically for your house and your needs. But this can be quite costly, especially if you choose a fully automated system with multiple outlets or other options.
Low emissivity glass (transmits the short-wave radiation of visible light but reduces the rate of long-wave radiation transmission). Window design to allow airflow through the house. Double glazing can be fitted throughout the house or just in the living areas where people spend the most time.
Whether you're planning to build your own home or renovate an existing one, we've got you covered with a wide range of articles covering the whole process.
Renovating and altering houses is a favourite pastime for many New Zealanders. Our articles take a look at what's involved when you undertake a renovation project.
Regular maintenance is needed to ensure your house holds its value and remains safe and comfortable to live in.
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