Explaining STC: What Are Sound Transmission Classifications?

Soundproofing is a common technique to minimize sound reverberations through walls in homes, apartments complexes, business offices, and industrial facilities alike. Though few places eliminate soundwaves completely, it’s the effort to minimize excess noises and muffle sound that makes a room soundproof.

Architects must design buildings with soundproofing incorporated so that the wall interiors have adequate padding. However, it’s challenging for those unfamiliar with soundproofing systems to decide what level to install. If you’re asking yourself, “What is a sound transmission class?” here’s a quick, clarifying answer.

The Basics of Soundproofing

Soundproofing is all about creating sound isolation in building walls. This padding goes into the structure during assembly. For example, when installing modular industrial partition walls, project managers must incorporate sound-adjusted materials before workers completely seal off the wall. Understanding the nature of soundproofing in a building is of particular interest to architects, acoustical engineers, and office managers.

How Specialists Measure It

Specialists use a system to measure the quality of soundproofing in a room. This scale includes segmented ranges known as sound transmission classes, or STCs. These classifications rate the interior partitions of a wall and how well they reduce noise in decibels. The higher the STC rating, the better the sound isolation, and vice versa. The baseline and most recommended values for privacy soundproofing are 35 or 45. When you reach 50, you have adequate isolation from sound. Anything that exceeds 60 is extensive soundproofing that truly blocks off most penetrative sounds.

Why You Should Use Soundproofing

If you work in an industry where you produce many loud noises or require absolute silence, then soundproofing is a vital part of your structural features. Sound vibration does decrease as it travels through a wall. However, you’re not guaranteed total workplace privacy or sound insulation from loud machines without STC-rated equipment.

When you decide to use soundproofing, there are a few more things to consider. Though all soundproofing partitions dampen sound, several factors alter their efficacy—the type of noise, construction material, and sound frequency all impact soundproofing efforts.

The next time you wonder, “What is a sound transmission class?” remember this quick guide. If you decide to build a modular office or lab, you can choose walls with various STC ratings according to your needs. If you have any questions about selecting partitions, reach out to our experts at National Partitions today.