As the housing crisis pushes the construction industry to deliver more units faster, new solutions are emerging to meet the growing needs of the market. Among them, wooden structures—whether made of lightweight wood or solid wood—are gaining popularity for their speed of construction, durability, and reduced carbon footprint.

But this evolution cannot come at the expense of comfort. Occupants' expectations in terms of acoustics remain high, and this is precisely where recent innovations in soundproofing systems come into play. Dry screed systems now make it possible to achieve excellent sound insulation while reducing the overall weight of the structure—an advantage not only for wooden buildings, but also in the context of new seismic requirements introduced in Canada, where the weight of buildings is becoming a critical factor in safety.

At the same time, new building standards and codes are moving toward more sustainable, low-carbon solutions without compromising acoustic performance. This dual requirement—ecological and acoustic—is redefining the criteria for selecting materials and construction methods.

As the construction industry embraces sustainable, lightweight, and efficient building systems, acoustics must evolve in parallel. Understanding the key indices — and focusing on real-world results — is essential to delivering spaces that truly meet occupant expectations.

At AcoustiTECH, we’re here to help you find the right product, in the right place, using real data and tested assemblies tailored to your project. Contact us to explore the best acoustic solutions for your needs.

Not all numbers tell the whole story. Manufacturers sometimes highlight favorable lab-tested values without disclosing whether results were obtained on-site or in idealized lab settings — or without specifying the full tested assembly. This lack of transparency can lead to poor product choices, frequent complaints, or even lawsuits.

To ensure reliable results, always compare acoustic values based on similar testing conditions, and favor those measured in real-world applications.

While innovations are available, it is still necessary to be able to measure their effectiveness reliably. In the field of acoustics, the distinction between laboratory tests and field measurements is crucial.

The STC (Sound Transmission Class) and IIC (Impact Insulation Class) indices, which are often highlighted, are obtained in the laboratory under ideal conditions. Although useful for initial comparison, these values do not always reflect the reality of the construction site.

This is why AcoustiTECH also favors evaluation based on indices measured under real conditions:

• ASTC (Apparent Sound Transmission Class): measures the ability of an assembly, such as a wall or floor, to attenuate airborne sound transmission in real-world construction conditions. Unlike laboratory tests, ASTC reflects acoustic performance while considering the specificities and particularities of construction methods on-site.

• AIIC (Apparent Impact Insulation Class): evaluates the insulation of impact noises in a floor/ceiling assembly directly on-site. This test offers a more accurate representation of real-world construction by integrating the specificities and weaknesses of structures. It provides greater precision by accounting for indirect sound losses due to the construction methods used.

• HIIC (High Impact Insulation Class): More recent, this index assesses impact noise insulation performance in the mid and high frequencies—those that directly influence the acoustic comfort perceived by occupants. It targets in particular the noises most likely to generate complaints, such as high heels or moving furniture.

The National Building Code (NBC) sets the following minimum requirements for floor/ceiling assemblies in multi-story residential buildings:

• STC ≥ 50 or ASTC ≥ 47

• No minimum requirement for IIC or AIIC (though an IIC ≥ 55 is typically recommended for improved comfort)

BarrierTek’s mission remains clear: Reduce The Risk of Residential Construction Fires. As the company continues to expand and invest in Canadian-made innovation and manufacturing, it’s poised to be a part of the next step in construction innovation. One built on collaboration, resilience, and a belief in what Canadian ingenuity can achieve.

In 2025, BarrierTek took a major step forward by opening a new production facility near Kamloops, BC. Located in a strategic lumber distribution hub, the facility allows BarrierTek to efficiently supply the BC market while continuing to serve the Prairie provinces. It also well positions the company for future expansion into Eastern Canada.

This growth isn’t just logistical—it’s a statement of confidence in Canadian construction and in wood as the future of sustainable building. 

As Canadian cities confront a housing crisis and aim to speed up construction timelines while increasing density and reducing urban sprawl, 4+ storey multi-family developments and row housing have become essential. Building in tighter, high-density environments means complying with Adjacent Property Protection Planning (APPP) requirements, fire code constraints, and faster construction timelines.

BarrierTek’s ProTektor II Coatings enable multi-family wood-frame projects to meet APPP requirements during construction while maintaining affordability and design flexibility. By applying BarrierTek’s ProTektor II coatings, developers can often satisfy the APPP requirements with little or no deviation from conventional wood-frame construction methodologies, minimizing additional costs and avoiding potential construction delays.   

To further support multi-family developers, projects fully treated with ProTEKtor II coatings often qualify for reduced Course of Construction Insurance premiums—strengthening the financial case for using BarrierTek products. For both municipalities and developers, ProTEKtor II represents a practical solution in promoting safer densification and fostering resilient community growth.

BarrierTek, a Canadian company at the forefront of fire safety innovation, is redefining how we mitigate risk and protect infrastructure in wood-frame construction. With roots in Alberta and recent expansion into British Columbia, BarrierTek’s story is one of Canadian research, entrepreneurship, and a collaborative commitment to meeting the requirements of the wood construction industry.  

The company began with a simple but powerful question: How can we help reduce the risk of fire during construction in a way that is practical, effective, and scalable? The answer led to the creation of BarrierTek’s proprietary fire-resistant coatings and application systems—solutions designed to contribute to the protection of wood substrates during the construction phase.

Bringing new technology to market comes with its share of challenges. Through ongoing collaboration with engineers, architects, code officials, and developers, BarrierTek has been able to overcome obstacles and establish where they fit within the industry. As this collaboration continues, BarrierTek is earning its place as a trusted partner in modern wood frame construction.