Communication is why we care about acoustics. We need to briefly discuss what enables communication; the brain. The study of how we hear is called psycho-acoustics. Our perceptual system is fascinating. Some of the processing that humans do to a sound stimulus is impossible to replicate.
Have you ever listened to a home video or recording of a party and noticed how hard it is to follow the conversation? Yet at the time of the event, the participants understood each other clearly. When a person is present in a room, they have a much greater ability to listen effectively than when they are listening to an electronic reproduction of a conversation.
Another example is when two people are in physical proximity to each other, they can carry on a conversation in a negative signal environment such as when the noise of a crowd of screaming sports fans can be louder than the sound of a friend talking in the next seat, but a conversation can occur. The conversation may be poor and require some repeating, but it occurs.
How does BASWAphon work?
BASWAphon helps to “filter out” echoes and reflected sound, making conversation clearer even in harsh situations.
The BASWAphon Acoustical Finish System is used to reduce reverberation time making voice, music and other sound much more intelligible. Its design is based on a fine porous surface that appears to be solid, applied onto a mineral wool panel. High frequency sound energy passes through the pores, into the mineral wool, and is converted into heat energy. Low frequency sound energy vibrates the porous surface diaphragmatically, and is converted into heat energy.
Why choose BASWAphon?
The heart of BASWAphon’s appeal is a combination of exceptional absorption with
a strikingly beautiful appearance. The Classic finish is smooth, seamless, with
the look of hand-troweled plaster.
The BASWAphon Acoustical Finish System is available in 3 system thicknesses:
30-mm (1.18”) - NRC Rating of 0.75
40-mm (1.57”) - NRC Rating of 0.80
68-mm (2.68”) - NRC Rating of 0.85
The system is suitable for:
flat surfaces such as walls and ceilings
arched and vaulted surfaces
double-curved surfaces
free-form “warped” surfaces
BASWAphon Advantages:
General
Seamless up to 5,000 square feet.
Certified Test Data reflects actual installation conditions and is supplied by independent third party.
Light weight (1.06 lbs / sq ft).
“Class A” fire rated “finish” product.
Integrally pigmented to match any color.
Frosted and Clean Finishes are not water soluble and are mold / mildew resistant.
Five year warranties are available.
Always stocked in large quantities in Cleveland, Ohio.
Shipping arrangements can easily accommodate tight installation schedules.
Supporting Panels are pre-sanded to ensure no thickness variations.
Installation
Installation completed in a two or three day period.
Completely field installed, all cut-outs done on site using utility knives. (See Video)
No field dimensions or shop drawings are required.
Panels are adhered onto a sealed stable substrate, typically level 1 (taped only) gypsum board hung on standard ceiling grid system.
Can also be applied to concrete, plaster, or smooth new or existing substrates.
Control Joints only required every 5,000 square feet.
Access panels as large as 8’ x 8’ are acceptable for BASWAphon finish.
Trim pieces, reveals and other products seamlessly integrate into system.
Lightweight decorative moldings are easily applied over BASWAphon.
BASWA acoustic’s Plasterer Team has been trained by the Swiss manufacturer on the proper means to install and guide other applicators.
Over 70 Interior and Plastering Contractors in North America currently certified to install.
Companies installing BASWAphon have been trained on-site by BASWA acoustic.
Performance
Test data is accurate and dependable and performs as anticipated in design.
Pigmenting has absolutely no adverse effects on acoustics.
Pre-Fill is acoustically transparent, leaving a consistent base surface.
Because substrate is sealed, there is no differential pressure or air movement from the finished skin surface through to the mineral wool panel which would cause discoloration.
Any slight “fading of color over time” happens evenly leaving it undetectable.
20 years of installations without product failures reported.
Thousands of projects can be referenced that have flat, sloped, curved, domed and warped surfaces.
Rigid BASWAphon Supporting Panel consists of patented “randomly spun” mineral wool panel with a factory coated “crust” of recycled glass microspheres.
Being “randomly spun”, versus “layered fiberglass” panel, the rigid supporting panel cannot separate or easily compress when attached to a ceiling surface.
Ecological
BASWAphon supporting panel is MSDS friendly.
May provide Contribution Points in 9 LEED Categories.(LEED Info)
The binders used emit no harmful VOC off gasses.
The BASWAphon Systems are 86% recycled content.
Repairs
Common “drywall repair” techniques are used to fill in a damaged area to create a smooth surface flush with the adjacent BASWAphon area.
Hear the difference.
The following auralizations are comparisons done for the Kansas State House Restoration.
