How can you reduce the noise levels in an open plan office? In this article we will be discussing a few ways to do just that. Our focus is noise control, noise levels in a work space can have a significant impact on the productivity and quality of your work day. We will look at some noise control solutions that are simple yet effective.
First of all, it can be a real challenge to have a quiet open plan office. The main problem is the noise from office equipment, people speaking across the office and other external noises. To reduce the noise levels in an open plan office, you need to consider a few solutions. The first is noise control.
Noise levels in your work space can be reduced by eliminating distractions
Noise levels in your work space can be reduced by eliminating distractions. This is easily achievable with appropriate sound insulation. Soundproofing is designed to reduce the amount of noise that can enter the room. It works by reducing the noise transmission through the material used to make the walls.
There are many options available when considering noise control. There are materials which can be used to soundproof a room such as solid hardwood. However, for many offices, soundproofing is not an option. There are other materials which may be appropriate. These include fabrics, drapes, tiles and carpets. These are normally used to cover specific areas such as doors and windows.If you work in an open plan office then there will be a lot of ambient noise that will surround you.
There will be the sounds of your coworkers talking as they speak and in the background you will hear the ringing of your phone or other electronics. The walls will reverberate when someone bangs a wall, there will be squeaks as chairs move and people spill things on the desk. There are of course some things that you can do to help reduce the noise levels in an open plan office. Some companies have large conference rooms and sound proofed walls, this is a fairly common solution. It works because the noise cancels itself out.
To reduce noise from telephone conversations consider installing mobile phone booths
Another option is to install white noise, this does not cancel out the noise but it masks it. The noise masking is also good for meetings when the employees are working from a distance. This allows them to keep the conversation going while they are in the open plan office, yet block out the outside noise and distractions. Some companies go so far as to have dedicated noise absorbing phones and headsets so that all employees have their heads down when they are in the open plan office and no one has to disturb anyone else by speaking over them.
You can also use insulation in an open plan office to reduce the noise levels. You can buy sheets of material that you can spread between the walls and ceilings in your office and this acts as sound deadening. This is more effective than one would think because it works both ways. By keeping the noise levels down you are also helping to conserve energy which in turn helps you save money in the long run.
Perhaps having a brainstorming room where you can get everyone to pitch in and start discussing ideas rather than just talking at and over one another might help.
You can also reduce noise in an office by creating an ambiance that works to reduce distractions. There are some things that you can do to create a more friendly and relaxing environment to work in. If you need a lot of space then a brainstorming room might be able to help you.
A brainstorming room is where you can get everyone to pitch in and start discussing ideas rather than just talking at one another. This will cause people to be more productive and it will help to reduce the amount of noise. A brainstorming room can also be used to draw up documents and other forms of work that you want to be able to take advantage of. If you have more space in your open plan office you can also create an outdoor lab or an outdoor office. Having this extra space allows you to be able to conduct research and develop products or solutions to problems that you are faced with.
Another important noise control option is noise isolation. This is where you use sound deadening materials which are installed at or near to your open plan office. These are normally made of synthetic material such as stone, fibre or plastic. Some of these materials are designed to be installed on the ceiling. These have the potential to significantly reduce the amount of noise which could enter a room.
Unfortunately some noises will be caused by external factors that you cannot control
. If you are experiencing noise levels which are preventing you from being able to work then it is highly likely that these are caused by external factors. These could be external sounds such as traffic, conversation or even echoes from the neighboring offices. Poor circulation and air conditioning may also cause this type of problem. It is always wise to discuss with your office building or management company how to reduce the noise levels in your work space.
How can you reduce the noise in an open plan office? It is your job as a manager to make sure that you delegate the appropriate amount of tasks so that everyone has time for them to do them. Delegating tasks is an important part of being a good manager and this is especially true when you are dealing with noise. For example, if you have three workers in an office you should divide their work time equally but if each one spends two hours a day on a task that only takes them an hour then this creates a problem.
How can you reduce the noise levels in an open plan office? You can use several options on a website to create a great open plan office and if you use all the options to their fullest you can achieve a more productive working environment. Create a great office space by creating walls between rooms and by making sure that the floor is flat. If you follow these simple suggestions and ideas you can achieve the results that you want from a working space.
