Total Acoustics | The Ideal Combination of NRC and CAC

NRC + CAC = Total Acoustics

The ideal combination of sound absorption and sound blocking

Acoustical Solutions for Wall-to-Wall Spaces

For continuous ceilings, choosing a ceiling panel that provides both sound absorption and sound blocking is best to reduce noise and improve speech privacy. Armstrong TOTAL ACOUSTICS ceilings provide the ideal combination of sound absorption and sound blocking in one ceiling panel. With TOTAL ACOUSTICS ceilings, you’ll have the flexibility to meet acoustical needs as the space evolves. 

Ceilings with high NRC only can absorb sound within the space – but cannot block sound from leaving or entering the space. Ceilings with a CAC of 35+ will help block sound from traveling to adjacent spaces through the plenum, providing improved sound isolation, speech privacy, and design flexibility.

With three levels of sound absorption and high sound blocking, panels with TOTAL ACOUSTICS performance make it easy to choose the right ceiling for every space, every time. 

Best:  NRC 0.80+ and CAC 35+  
Better:  NRC 0.70-0.75 and CAC 35+  
Good:  NRC 0.60-0.65 and CAC 35+

Ceiling Attenuation Class (CAC)
A measure for rating the performance of a ceiling system as a barrier to airborne sound transmission through a common plenum between adjacent closed spaces.
Noise Reduction Coefficient (NRC)
A measure for rating the overall sound absorption of a material installed inside a building where sound waves strike surfaces at various angles of incidence.
Ceiling Attenuation Class (CAC)
A measure for rating the performance of a ceiling system as a barrier to airborne sound transmission through a common plenum between adjacent closed spaces.
Noise Reduction Coefficient (NRC)
A measure for rating the overall sound absorption of a material installed inside a building where sound waves strike surfaces at various angles of incidence.

Recommended Solutions

  • Best

    TOTAL ACOUSTICS = NRC 0.80+ and CAC 35+

    High traffic spaces or multipurpose spaces where maximum sound absorption and sound blocking are needed to help keep noise levels down and prevent disruption to adjacent spaces.
    CALLA
     
    Sound Absorption (NRC) Up to 0.85
    Sound Blocking (CAC) 35
    Articulation Class (AC) 170
    Light Reflectance 85%
    Recycled Content 76%
      
    Sound Absorption (NRC) Up to 0.85
    Sound Blocking (CAC) 35
    Articulation Class (AC) 170
    Light Reflectance 85%
    Recycled Content 76%
    ULTIMA High NRC
     
    Sound Absorption (NRC) Up to 0.80
    Sound Blocking (CAC) 35
    Articulation Class (AC) 170
    Light Reflectance 87%
    Recycled Content 89%
      
    Sound Absorption (NRC) Up to 0.80
    Sound Blocking (CAC) 35
    Articulation Class (AC) 170
    Light Reflectance 87%
    Recycled Content 89%
    LYRA PB High CAC
     
    Sound Absorption (NRC) 0.95
    Sound Blocking (CAC) Up to 44
    Articulation Class (AC) 200
    Light Reflectance 88%
    Recycled Content 60%
     
    Sound Absorption (NRC) 0.95
    Sound Blocking (CAC) Up to 44
    Articulation Class (AC) 200
    Light Reflectance 88%
    Recycled Content 60%
    CALLA HEALTH ZONE
     
    Sound Absorption (NRC) 0.80
    Sound Blocking (CAC) 38
    Articulation Class (AC) 170
    Light Reflectance 85%

     
    Sound Absorption (NRC) 0.80
    Sound Blocking (CAC) 38
    Articulation Class (AC) 170
    Light Reflectance 85%

    View All TOTAL ACOUSTICS
    - Best Options
  • Better

    TOTAL ACOUSTICS = NRC 0.70-0.75 and CAC 35+

    Spaces where strong sound absorption and sound blocking are needed for all-around acoustical performance.
    ULTIMA Lay-In and Tegular

     
    Sound Absorption (NRC) Up to 0.75
    Sound Blocking (CAC) Up to 40
    Light Reflectance Up to 88%
    Recycled Content 87%
      
    Sound Absorption (NRC) Up to 0.75
    Sound Blocking (CAC) Up to 40
    Light Reflectance Up to 88%
    Recycled Content 87%
    ULTIMA HEALTH ZONE

     
    Sound Absorption (NRC) Up to 0.80
    Sound Blocking (CAC) Up to 38
    Light Reflectance 86%
    Recycled Content 76%
      
    Sound Absorption (NRC) Up to 0.80
    Sound Blocking (CAC) Up to 38
    Light Reflectance 86%
    Recycled Content 76%
    SCHOOL ZONE FINE FISSURED

     
    Sound Absorption (NRC) 0.70
    Sound Blocking (CAC) Up to 40
    Light Reflectance 82%
    Recycled Content Up to 56%
      
    Sound Absorption (NRC) 0.70
    Sound Blocking (CAC) Up to 40
    Light Reflectance 82%
    Recycled Content Up to 56%
    SCHOOL ZONE FINE FISSURED AIRASSURE
     
    Sound Absorption (NRC) 0.70
    Sound Blocking (CAC) Up to 45
    Articulation Class (AC) 170
    Light Reflectance 82%
      
    Sound Absorption (NRC) 0.70
    Sound Blocking (CAC) Up to 45
    Articulation Class (AC) 170
    Light Reflectance 82%
    View All TOTAL ACOUSTICS
    - Better Options
  • Good

    TOTAL ACOUSTICS = NRC 0.60-0.65 and CAC 35+

    Spaces where less sound absorption is required but sound blocking is needed to maintain privacy between adjacent areas.
    CANYON
     
    Sound Absorption (NRC) 0.65
    Sound Blocking (CAC) 35
    Light Reflectance 80%
    Recycled Content 44%
      
    Sound Absorption (NRC) 0.65
    Sound Blocking (CAC) 35
    Light Reflectance 80%
    Recycled Content 44%
    CIRRUS SECOND LOOK
     
    Sound Absorption (NRC) 0.65
    Sound Blocking (CAC) 35
    Light Reflectance 85%
    Recycled Content 71%
      
    Sound Absorption (NRC) 0.65
    Sound Blocking (CAC) 35
    Light Reflectance 85%
    Recycled Content 71%
    MESA
     
    Sound Absorption (NRC) 0.60
    Sound Blocking (CAC) Up to 38
    Light Reflectance 85%
    Recycled Content Up to 56%
      
    Sound Absorption (NRC) 0.60
    Sound Blocking (CAC) Up to 38
    Light Reflectance 85%
    Recycled Content Up to 56%
    GEORGIAN
     
    Sound Absorption (NRC) Up to 0.65
    Sound Blocking (CAC) Up to 35
    Light Reflectance 86%
    Recycled Content Up to 56%
      
    Sound Absorption (NRC) Up to 0.65
    Sound Blocking (CAC) Up to 35
    Light Reflectance 86%
    Recycled Content Up to 56%
    View All TOTAL ACOUSTICS
    - Good Options

Tools and Education

Get a Complimentary Custom Acoustical Report

Request a complimentary Custom Acoustical Report for your next project and receive a detailed, customized report that will ensure you have the right ceiling to reduce noise, improve speech intelligibility, and/or meet your speech privacy needs.

Acoustical Design & Solutions Guide

Our acoustical guide will help you get the acoustics right in any space.

CEUs for Acoustics

Learn more about designing for acoustics and earn CEUs with on-demand, rep-hosted, and audio courses.

Acoustics Academy on Arch Record

This academy looks at how integration of cutting-edge sound blocking, and noise control elements can play a necessary part in both occupant well-being and sustainable design goals.

Inspiration

Acoustic Videos On-Demand

Our curated library has all the videos you need to understand the value of our acoustical solutions.

Total Acoustics Project Gallery

See our Total Acoustics portfolio in action to get inspiration for your next project.
 

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