Page 9 - Laqfoil Acoustic Catalog

Non- Plenum Airspaces
Laqfoil stretched ceilings always create a non-plenum airspace, an area filled with air that doesn’t move, because the profiles which support the membrane around the edges always take up some space between the wall or ceiling and the membrane, typically just under one inch, more if
desired for design reasons. This cushion of air is both beneficial and desirable.
First, it’s thermally insulating. Both heat and cold coming from beyond the ceiling or wall have difficulty transmitting through non-moving air, so you save both money and the environment by using less heating and cooling energy.
Second, it’s sound attenuating. Stretch ceiling bounces and vibrates when sound hits it, turning acoustic energy into kinetic (motion) energy. The cushion of air behind the ceiling has the same effect as, well, a cushion!
Third, it makes an excellent hiding place. Electrical and telephone wiring, Ethernet cable, HVAC ducts and plumbing can all reside in a non-plenum airspace, eliminating messy visual distractions and creating a clean flawless finish. This is one of the design reasons why a stretch ceiling may be installed with a larger non-plenum airspace. In basements where there is usually limited headroom, these utilities can be installed between the beams which support the floor above, with small holes drilled in the beams to allow passage through, so that the ceiling doesn’t need to sit too low. A quick and easy visit from one of our professional installers can open up the ceiling for access if repairs to these systems are needed, and then close it up again, just like new. If the idea of calling an installer in the future doesn’t appeal to you, we also offer installation training, which includes the proprietary spatula tool for installing and demounting membrane. First, it’s thermally insulating. Both heat and cold coming from beyond the ceiling or wall have difficulty transmitting through non-moving air, so you save both money and the environment by using less heating and cooling energy.
Second, it’s sound attenuating. Stretch ceiling bounces and vibrates when sound hits it, turning acoustic energy into kinetic (motion) energy. The cushion of air behind the ceiling has the same effect as, well, a cushion!
Third, it makes an excellent hiding place. Electrical and telephone wiring, Ethernet cable, HVAC ducts and plumbing can all reside in a non-plenum airspace, eliminating messy visual distractions and creating a clean flawless finish. This is one of the design reasons why a stretch ceiling may be installed with a larger non-plenum airspace. In basements where there is usually limited headroom, these utilities can be installed between the beams which support the floor above, with small holes drilled in the beams to allow passage through, so that the ceiling doesn’t need to sit too low. A quick and easy visit from one of our professional installers can open up the ceiling for access if repairs to these systems are needed, and then close it up again, just like new. If the idea of calling an installer in the future doesn’t appeal to you, we also offer installation training, which includes the proprietary spatula tool for installing and demounting membrane.
1. Sound arriving from room
2. Reverberationreturningtoroom 3. Stretchedmembrane
4. Non-Plenumairspace
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