If you are looking for a new commercial space for your business, you must consider the acoustics of the building. Typically, the acoustical comfort of general workspaces is not a primary consideration during the planning, design, or even structural construction process. Functionality and aesthetics are prioritized because they are the most obvious factors. Unfortunately, the noise levels in the commercial building can affect productivity, comfort and even employee health. Consider these factors before choosing the perfect commercial space for your enterprise.

Building site

If you want an ideal acoustical environment in your business worksite, you must consider the outdoor environment. In simple terms, you should evaluate the level of noise produced from the external surroundings of the pertinent building. This is particularly critical when choosing a commercial property within the town or city limits. You should avoid areas which are known to have consistently high noise. These include commercial buildings in proximity to factories, airfields and railways. You should also make certain that the building is compatible with future developments. For example, do not purchase commercial space in an area which is intended for industrial development in the future, even if the site seems perfect for the moment.

Construction Materials

The materials used in the building will affect acoustic comfort in your workspace. It is almost impossible to find ideal business space in an area without external noise, particularly from vehicles; therefore, you must ensure that the interior space has some level of shielding from the excess noise pollution. You should discuss the acoustic insulation aspects of the building before final agreement on purchase or rental. Ideally, the walls should be made of high-density materials with noise attenuation properties. The external and internal walls can also incorporate extra acoustic insulation from materials such as mineral wool, rock wool or foam. The windows can also be a major source of noise, so choose insulated glazing for better acoustical performance.

Space configuration

Finally, you should consider the design of the internal space in the presented commercial building. There are two primary options to choose: open and closed spaces. Open business spaces are flexible, space efficient and cheap, but they do not provide optimal noise control. Therefore, if you choose this style, you should think about installing partitions to minimize noise. Closed spaces provide excellent noise control, but they are not practical for most modern office environments. However, you should ensure that there are some permanent and isolated private offices and a conference room.

Consult an acoustics expert to determine the acoustic performance of a commercial space before renting or purchasing it.

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