Acoustic Performance Estimator — Cheat Sheet
Quick-reference cheat sheet for the Acoustic Performance Estimator tool.
Published 27 May 2026
Acoustic Performance Estimator
Quick-reference companion for the free Portal tool
What This Tool Does
The Acoustic Performance Estimator is a vital online tool on the Blind Solutions Architects Portal designed to help South African architects quickly assess and predict the acoustic performance of various building elements, primarily focusing on glazing and wall systems. It provides an estimated Sound Reduction Index (SRI) or Sound Transmission Class (STC) based on user-defined material properties and configurations.
Use this tool early in your design process to make informed decisions about material specifications, ensuring compliance with SANS 10400-N (Ventilation and Acoustic Properties) and SANS 204 (Energy Efficiency in Buildings) requirements, especially for projects in noise-sensitive areas like schools, hospitals, or residential buildings near busy roads. It's essential for architects, acoustic consultants, and facade engineers involved in projects across various sectors, from commercial offices to high-end residential developments.
Step-by-Step Usage Guide
Navigate to the Acoustic Performance Estimator on the Blind Solutions Architects Portal. Start by entering basic project details such as "Project Name" (e.g., "Sandton Office Block Refurbishment") and "Location" (e.g., "Johannesburg"). This helps contextualize your estimates.
Choose the building element you wish to analyze. Options typically include "Glazing System" or "Wall System". For glazing, you'll specify window types; for walls, you'll define construction layers.
If "Glazing System" is selected, input the specific details:
- Glass Pane 1 Thickness (mm): e.g., 6 mm
- Air Gap / Cavity (mm): e.g., 12 mm (for double glazing)
- Gas in Cavity: e.g., "Air" or "Argon"
- Glass Pane 2 Thickness (mm): e.g., 6 mm
- Laminated? (Yes/No): e.g., "Yes" (if laminated glass is used)
- PVB Interlayer Thickness (mm): e.g., 0.76 mm (if laminated)
Example Input: For a standard double-glazed unit (DGU) with laminated outer pane: Pane 1: 6mm, Air Gap: 12mm, Gas: Air, Pane 2: 6.76mm Laminated (3+3+0.76 PVB).
If "Wall System" is selected, you'll add layers:
- Layer 1 Material: e.g., "Brick (Dense Concrete)"
- Layer 1 Thickness (mm): e.g., 110 mm
- Layer 2 (Optional) Material: e.g., "Air Cavity"
- Layer 2 Thickness (mm): e.g., 50 mm
- Layer 3 (Optional) Material: e.g., "Plasterboard"
- Layer 3 Thickness (mm): e.g., 12.5 mm
Example Input: For a typical cavity wall: 110mm Brick, 50mm Air Cavity, 12.5mm Plasterboard.
Click the "Calculate Acoustic Performance" button. The tool will display an estimated SRI/STC value for your configuration. Review this value against your project's acoustic requirements (e.g., SANS 10400-N recommendations for specific building types). The tool may also provide a breakdown of frequency-specific performance.
Modify your input parameters (e.g., increase glass thickness, add another laminate, change cavity gas to Argon, or add insulation to a wall cavity) and recalculate to see how changes impact the acoustic performance. This iterative process helps you optimize your design for desired acoustic comfort while balancing cost and other performance factors.
Common Scenarios & Expected Results
| Scenario | Input (Key Parameters) | Expected Output (Estimated SRI/STC) |
|---|---|---|
| Standard Single Glazing (Housing) | 6mm Clear Float Glass | ~28-30 dB (SRI) |
| Double Glazing (Office, moderate noise) | 6mm Glass + 12mm Air Gap + 6mm Glass | ~32-35 dB (SRI) |
| High Performance Glazing (Hotel, busy road) | 8.76mm Laminated (4+4+0.76 PVB) + 16mm Argon Gap + 6.38mm Laminated (3+3+0.38 PVB) | ~40-45 dB (SRI) |
| Standard Brick Cavity Wall | 110mm Brick + 50mm Air Cavity + 110mm Brick + 12.5mm Plasterboard | ~50-55 dB (STC) |