Acoustic Noise-Lock doors for ROCKWOOL’s new Acoustic Lab
With its new building Acoustic Lab in Denmark, ROCKWOOL is taking its work in sound and insulation to the next level. IAC Acoustics has contributed Noise-Lock acoustic doors and advanced vibration isolation to the high-performance testing environment.
A new chapter in acoustic innovation
As a global leader in stone wool-based solutions, ROCKWOOL has set the standard for sustainable insulation and acoustic comfort in construction for decades. To further strengthen its position within building acoustics, ROCKWOOL Denmark has established a state-of-the-art building acoustics laboratory at its headquarters in Hedehusene.
The ROCKWOOL Acoustic Lab is designed to test and document the acoustic performance of ROCKWOOL’s products and systems – from sound insulation and impact noise reduction to absorption coefficients. The objective is to create a short path from concept to testing - and from testing to certification - while also serving as a hub for knowledge sharing and collaboration between industry and academia.
The building acoustics laboratory consists of various types of test rooms, including reverberation chambers and rooms for sound insulation measurements. Each room enables different types of acoustic testing.
Collaboration on acoustic engineering precision
To ensure that the test facilities meet international standards for acoustic measurements, stringent requirements were placed on sound insulation and vibration control throughout the laboratory design.
While ROCKWOOL’s own materials formed the majority of the building acoustic structures, IAC Acoustics was selected as a technical partner, responsible for consultancy (including final design input), supply and installation of the acoustic doors, as well as vibration isolation of the test rooms.
The requirements for the doors included:
- High sound insulation performance, matching that of the surrounding wall constructions
- Easy access for personnel and test equipment
- Low threshold height for safe and practical operation
- Wide openings in selected test rooms to accommodate flexible measurement setups
Acoustic Noise-Lock doors – 59 dB performance
Following close collaboration and design development with the client, IAC Acoustics delivered a solution based on Noise-Lock acoustic doors with a certified sound reduction of Rw 59 dB.
The installation includes:
- 8 single Noise-Lock doors and 3 double Noise-Lock doors with Rw 59
- 6 sliding doors with Rw 42, used in areas with limited space and a need for flexible access
Each test room is equipped with a double-door configuration, ensuring optimal sound insulation between spaces. This solution prevents both external noise ingress and sound leakage from ongoing tests, enabling precise and reproducible measurements without interference.
Vibration isolation of test rooms with VIKAFOAM
In addition to the acoustic doors, IAC Acoustics’ vibration department was responsible for the design and supply of vibration isolation for the test rooms – a critical component of the laboratory’s overall acoustic performance. To prevent interference from footfall, machinery or other structure-borne vibrations, each test room was structurally decoupled from the surrounding building and adjacent rooms.
For this purpose, VIKAFOAM, a high-performance elastomer material developed for acoustic decoupling, was used. Each test room is mounted on 75 mm VIKAFOAM pads, forming an elastic “floating base” that effectively isolates the structure from vibrations and low-frequency noise.
The solution achieved a natural frequency (Critical frequency, fc) of approximately 9 Hz, ensuring that external vibrations do not affect measurement results.
Official opening – The Sound of Innovation
In October 2025, the ROCKWOOL Acoustic Lab was officially inaugurated as part of ROCKWOOL’s new Innovation Village. Here, research, development and testing are brought together with sound and acoustics at the core.
The building acoustics laboratory is now used for both internal product development projects and collaborations with external partners in construction and acoustic research, setting a new benchmark for how sound is measured, understood and controlled in modern building design.
The project represents a key step in ROCKWOOL’s ambition to strengthen the integration of research, testing and innovation. In close collaboration with IAC Acoustics, a high-tech laboratory environment has been created where new acoustic solutions can be developed, tested and documented with the highest level of precision.
About ROCKWOOL
ROCKWOOL Denmark is part of the global ROCKWOOL Group, founded in 1909 in Hedehusene. With more than 12,000 employees and sales in over 120 countries, ROCKWOOL is the world’s leading manufacturer of stone wool-based solutions for building insulation, fire protection, technical insulation and façade systems.
About IAC Acoustics
IAC Acoustics specialises in acoustic solutions, delivering everything from acoustic doors and test chambers to vibration control and noise reduction systems. With more than 70 years of experience in sound engineering, the company serves industries, research institutions and the construction sector worldwide.
