The acoustic performance of building façades in hot climates: Part 2—Closed balconies

The acoustic protection afforded by a balcony open to the street but enclosed on all other sides was investigated by means of one-tenth scale models. The results indicate that the protection is slight and the frequency invariant when the receiver is exposed to a direct path. The protection increases with increased sound incident angle and balcony depth and becomes frequency dependent when the direct path between source and receiver is screened.In general, the protection measured by the author, using scale models, compared well with the full-scale measurements of other workers. The measured protection of a balcony is considerably improved when perforated screens of unusual geometry are installed.A maximum protection due to these screens is obtained at first and second floor levels and at balcony depths of 2 m and less.