Seventy-Eight Percent of Americans Plagued by Noise Disruptions at Home
Contemporary Designs and Appliances Coupled with Louder Leisure Activities Drive Demand for Residential Noise Control Solutions
Toledo, Ohio, August 8, 2006 – It's no secret that one of the most frustrating aspects of life in American homes is the unhealthy level of noise that interrupts otherwise quiet activity on a daily basis. According to a
recent survey conducted by leading building materials manufacturer, Owens Corning (OWENQ.OB), three
out of four respondents indicated they are disturbed by noise inside their home at least a few times per
week. In response to growing homeowner concerns over invasive noise, Owens Corning developed a new
category of structural noise control solutions under its QuietZone® product line which, when used together,
can reduce noise transmission up to 85 percent*.
"We've heard stories of mothers finding refuge from noise by reading in their bedroom closets and parents tip-toeing around the house to ensure their baby isn't woken from sleep - indicating a need for solutions that
allow consumers to regain control over their homes and lifestyles," said Portia Ash, business manager for
Owens Corning Residential Noise Control. "Whether it's to isolate an entertainment area or increase
productivity in a home office, reducing annoying noise is done most effectively by treating the space you
can't see, behind walls and below floors. To do this, Owens Corning offers the most complete noise control
solution on the market."
Utilized during the building phase of the home, QuietZone products work to absorb, block, break and isolate sound waves that travel from room to room. Installed between floors and walls, the QuietZone products help
reduce the amount of noise heard outside of the treated room. The line includes products ranging from
acoustic insulation batts, sealant, wall stud, ceiling products and floor mat to duct board and flexible duct
media products for the heating, ventilation and air conditioning system, which improve the acoustics of the home and contribute to its energy efficiency.
"Many homeowners make the mistake of only buying quieter appliances or adjusting their lifestyles to
accommodate noise disturbances as a temporary solution to the problem," said Dr. Lily Wang, professor of
architectural engineering at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. "By systematically controlling noise at the
root of the problem with structural solutions, consumers can greatly enhance their quality of life and
eliminate the stress, frustration and irritability associated with noise."
Affecting virtually each area of the home, the Owens Corning survey revealed that noise primarily disrupts homeowners in the master bedroom (33 percent), living room (26 percent), kitchen (24 percent) and child's
bedroom (19 percent). Dependant upon which room(s) need treatment and how each are used, the
QuietZone line of noise control solutions is offered in three levels:
- QuietZone® Quiet Foundations™ noise control solution - Designed as a systemic solution to
reduce the amount of noise transmitted through all the walls, ceilings and floors of the home, this
solution can reduce the levels airborne noises, such as conversations, appliances, TV's and
plumbing, by up to 30 percent*.
- QuietZone® Quiet Foundations™ Plus noise control solution - Providing the same level of
airborne noise control, Quiet Foundations Plus adds additional comfort by eliminating the pops and
pings of metal ducts in the home and absorbs the sounds waves that travel through the HVAC
system. With this solution, home owners can reduce the amount of airborne noises transmitted by
up to 30 percent* while decreasing the amount of noise that travels through their HVAC system and
increasing the energy efficiency of their home.
- QuietZone® Quiet Retreats™ noise control solution - Using state-of-the-art technology to
completely manage the sound experience for rooms where it's especially important to keep sound in
or out, the Quiet Retreats noise control solution delivers up to an 85 percent* reduction in perceived
noise. The Quiet Retreats solution, which helps control both airborne and structural noises, is
designed for media rooms, home offices, second floor laundry rooms or master bedrooms that
require additional privacy.
Ash recommends that homeowners interested in incorporating noise control solutions during the
construction or remodeling phase of their home work with their builder to determine which Owens Corning's
QuietZone noise control solutions best meet their needs. *For more information about QuietZone product
solutions, please call 1-800-GET-PINK™ or visit www.QuietZone.com.
About Owens Corning
Owens Corning is a world leader in building materials systems and composite solutions. A Fortune
500 company for more than 50 years, Owens Corning people redefine what is possible each day to
deliver high-quality products and services ranging from insulation, roofing and
manufactured stone veneer, to glass composite materials used in transportation, electronic,
telecommunications and other high-performance applications. Since the company’s founding in
1938, Owens Corning has become a market-leading innovator of glass fiber technology with sales
of $6.3 billion in 2005 and 20,000 employees in 25 countries. Additional information is available at
www.owenscorning.com.
