GAB Report event briefing

Mass Timber Acoustic Design: Variables and Solutions

  • DateSep 9, 2026 · 1:00 pm GMT-0400
  • FormatVirtual

About the event

Mass timber construction frequently encounters skepticism regarding sound isolation, prompting project teams to add heavy concrete toppings that compromise the material’s embodied carbon advantages. This technical webinar reassesses those assumptions using measured baseline acoustical performance data from mass timber assemblies alongside comparisons to conventional construction systems. Presenter Mike Raley explores fundamental sound transmission principles, practical detailing to resolve airborne and structure-borne sound across floors and walls, and strategies for mitigating acoustic flanking. The session offers clear guidance on balancing acoustic compliance, constructability, and sustainability without defaulting to excess mass.

What you’ll learn

  • Compare the baseline airborne and structure-borne sound isolation performance of mass timber assemblies.
  • Compare the measured acoustical performance of mass timber assemblies with conventional construction systems and evaluate common assumptions regarding code compliance and occupant comfort.
  • Evaluate the performance, constructability, and sustainability tradeoffs associated with common acoustical design decisions.
  • Differentiate between design approaches that rely on increased assembly mass and those that improve acoustical performance through targeted detailing, and evaluate their implications for occupant welfare, sustainability, and project outcomes.

Attendance notes

WoodWorks will send each attendee a certificate of completion within 2 weeks via email. Attendees must stay for the duration of the event to receive a certificate.


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