Quiet ventilation: choosing and installing the right silencer

If you're a ventilation designer or installer, your role extends beyond designing or setting up a duct system. It’s your responsibility to foster a conducive indoor environment that’s comfortable, healthy, and productive. A significant element that often goes unnoticed in this pursuit is sound reduction. An essential product for a quiet ventilation system is the simple sound attenuator.

Understanding the requirements
Choosing an appropriate sound attenuator for a ventilation system demands thoughtful consideration and calculations. Every ventilation system is distinctive, and acknowledging the acoustic needs of the building is the first step towards choosing the right silencer. Elements such as the type of ventilation system, the noise level it generates, and its airflow rate play an important role in this process. For instance, a ventilation system in an office space might have different sound requirements compared to one in a residential building. In addition, you also need to consider the acoustical needs of the building. A large open-plan office might require more sound attenuation compared to smaller individual offices. Hence, understanding these nuances can help you make a more informed decision when selecting a silencer.

Selecting a suitable silencer
Silencers work by absorbing sound waves as they pass through the ductwork. They are typically made of porous materials like fiberglass, stone wool or Acutec® polyester, which trap sound waves and dissipate them as heat. However, not all silencers are made equal, and choosing the right one requires careful consideration. At Lindab, we offer a variety of silencers tailored to different needs. From circular and rectangular silencers to cross-talk, industrial and bespoken attenuators, our products are designed and tested to reduce noise levels effectively without compromising the efficiency of the ventilation system.

But how do you know which sound attenuator to choose for your specific ventilation system and requirements?

This is where dynamic calculation programs like Lindab’s CADvent or MagiCAD in combination with Lindab’s Quick Selection Tool (LindQST) come in handy. LindQST simplifies the selection and dimensioning of sound attenuators and other indoor climate products, allowing you to select the ideal products for your specific project.

Once you've chosen the right sound attenuators, the next step is proper installation. The correct installation of these components is just as important as the selection process itself. Improper installation can reduce the effectiveness of the sound calculations and may even lead to other issues in the ventilation system.

At Lindab, we provide comprehensive documentation and support to help installers get it right. Our installation guides are designed to be easy to follow, ensuring that every component is installed correctly, and functions as intended.

In conclusion, selecting and installing the right sound attenuator for your ventilation system is a critical step towards achieving a quiet, efficient, and balanced ventilation system. By understanding the requirements, utilizing the right tools, and following the correct installation procedures, you are on the right way to ensure a quite ventilation for any building.

Explore our silencers today or reach out to our experts for more information.


Tuomas Veijalainen
Senior Acoustic Specialist at Lindab
Email: tuomas.veijalainen@lindab.com