PIV vs sound insulation within the apartment: can't have both?

[Garald]

Work is proceeding, as in, the contractor is working and I'm keeping tabs on him, while the architect is seemingly in outer space.

 

In particular, the PIV unit has been installed. Now the contractor tells me that the PIV technician told him that he'll need to file down the bottoms of all inside doors, so that air will circulate. The contractor points out that that will obviously scuttle any ideas we had towards sound insulation within the apartment (other than in the tiny laundry, presumably, which is one of the places where sound insulation is needed the most).

 

Is this correct? Is there any way to deal with it?

[S2D2]

The usual advice is to take 10mm off the bottom of the doors otherwise the rooms with a closed door are a bit of a microclimate. This does transmit sound as it's an open path for air (exactly why you're doing it). Following with interest for an ingenious workaround as I don't see a way around it without ducting both intake and extract to each room which is not practical.

[saveasteading]

A nerdy but excessive solution could be to create a chicane at the bottom of the door. A plate of about 50mm spaced off the door, and extending to the floor using brush strip,  so that air could travel down then under the door. Noise however would have to bounce around 3 faces and so fizzle out.

 

I wouldn't trouble the building inspector with it.

[JohnMo]

Just about all property with mechanical ventilation have door undercuts.  The noise transfer is insignificant.  Stop over thinking.

 

It doesn't stop you do sound insulation in walls and that should be done.

Edited April 6, 2023 by JohnMo
Missed some details

[Garald]

37 minutes ago, JohnMo said:

 

 

It doesn't stop you do sound insulation in walls and that should be done.

 

Right, but does it also mean we shouldn't bother to insulate doors?

 

Also - would a door brush strip at the bottom help, or would it just necessitate a larger opening (for air flow to be sufficient)?

Edited April 6, 2023 by Garald

[JohnMo]

10 minutes ago, Garald said:

does it also mean we shouldn't bother to insulate doors?

If they are solid and not just hollow I wouldn't bother.  But that me, our house (new build) with undercuts seems pretty quite with the doors closed.

 

11 minutes ago, Garald said:

Also - would a door brush strip at the bottom help, or would it just necessitate a larger opening (for air flow to be sufficient)?

They are defeating ventilation requirements. Just undercut and move on to the next question.

[Russdl]

@Garald our experience is the same as @JohnMo  we have 10mm gaps under all doors.
 

I thought there would be an issue with noise leaking under the doors but the reality has been that it is not an issue.
 

Not at all. 

[Nickfromwales]

16 hours ago, Garald said:

 

Right, but does it also mean we shouldn't bother to insulate doors?

 

Also - would a door brush strip at the bottom help, or would it just necessitate a larger opening (for air flow to be sufficient)?

You'll have a gap anyways, having one slightly bigger is neither here nor there, totally negligible. Never been an issue for any of my clients ( all MVHR adopters ).