Sound Control for Sanctuaries

In a sanctuary or other place of worship, hearing the spoken word at the service is an integral part of the congregation’s attendance. However, sanctuaries typically consist of large open spaces surrounded by hard walls and windows, characteristics which significantly diminish the sound quality throughout a room. Long reverberation times caused by sound reflections in the vast open space produce background noise that can hinder the congregation from hearing and understanding the spoken word. The choir and organ music of traditional services and the drums and bass common in contemporary services pose additional sound reduction challenges as reverberations negatively impact acoustical quality throughout the sanctuary. Improving the quality of acoustics in sanctuaries entails reducing the reverberation time of sound waves while controlling reflections and getting rid of background noise. Implementing a combination of simple sound reduction treatments designed for accomplishing these goals can eliminate noise problems and enable the congregation to clearly understand the spoken word as well as the harmonic tones of the music in both traditional and contemporary sanctuary environments.

Wall or ceiling sound panels or acoustic tiles arranged around the perimeter of a sanctuary can absorb noise reflections, in turn shortening the reverberation time of sound waves and reducing background noise. Fabric or suede layered sound control panels designed for such purposes are available with specific features aimed at controlling different types of sound waves. Standard panels control sound reflections from the speech, choir and organ in traditional sanctuaries, while specially designed diffusing absorber panels work to absorb, reflect and diffuse tones such as low bass tones common in contemporary sanctuaries where acoustics are affected by the blend of multiple musical instruments. Installation of the recommended density and quantity of sound control panels can provide the congregation with the delivery of pleasant, harmonious sound throughout the service.

For sanctuaries with large, sound reflective windows throughout, wall mounted sound panels may only be a portion of the solution or may not be feasible at all. In this situation, fabric baffles surrounded by fabric on both sides can be suspended from the ceiling of the sanctuary. Such suspended panels are designed to capture sound reflections in sanctuaries with large windows or considerably high ceilings. Depending on the type of windows in a sanctuary, sound control blinds may also be an effective option for sanctuaries with numerous windows. Large sanctuaries may also benefit from sound partitions, which are sound absorptive curtains that can be used to divide the sanctuary into smaller areas as needed for optimal sound control.

Maintaining control of the noise reflections in a sanctuary brings numerous benefits to a place of worship. The congregation experiences clear delivery of the spoken word as well as quality acoustics of the musical presentation, leaving attendees with a positive impression and resulting in a loyal and content congregation.

About the Author: Mark Rustad is President of NetWell Noise Control, based in Minneapolis, MN. Founded in 1991, NetWell is a leading supplier of acoustic products, sound reduction treatments, and online acoustical consulting services. NetWell’s sound management skills are packaged into the industry’s premier website. Discover first hand why so much of NetWell’s business stems from the referrals and repeat orders they receive from satisfied clients around the world.