In the world of commercial and industrial rooftop mechanical equipment, “out of sight, out of mind” rarely applies – and definitely not when that equipment is causing excessive noise and/or vibration that disrupts the building occupants, whether they are employees, tenants or customers.
While rooftop units, supply and exhaust fans, and other HVAC equipment are essential for occupant comfort and building safety, the noise and vibration they produce can quickly become a major liability – leading to tenant complaints, structural wear, and even violations of local noise ordinances.
At The Pate Company, we have spent decades engineering and building some of the most durable roof penetration and equipment support products in the industry. Now, as a natural extension of our core products, we’re proud to announce the expansion of our Sound Reduction and Vibration Isolation product line.
The Pate Sound Curb joins the Pate Sound Shield, for a 1-2 punch in the fight against noise
In the spring of 2025, we introduced the Pate Sound Shield (PSS), an acoustic treatment that is used with our roof curbs to reduce sound transmitted through roof-mounted equipment such as compressors, large supply and exhaust fans and condenser fans. As a complement to the PSS, our new Pate Sound Curb (PSC) is designed to reduce noise generated by small supply and exhaust fans.
The PSC features acoustical baffles – with high specific gravity for maximum sound absorption – built into a roof curb. In performance testing, using the ASTM E90-09 test procedure, the Pate Sound Curb demonstrated a sound rating of STC11. Sound reduction of up to 18 dB was achieved in specific frequency ranges.
With the PSS for larger equipment and the PSC for smaller fans, HVAC contractors have two outstanding choices when they need to limit the sound produced by the equipment they install. Both products are used with Pate roof curbs, which can be custom built to meet the specific sizes and needs of each project.
Introducing Pate Vibration Isolation Rails
Sound isn’t the only problem caused by roof-mounted HVAC equipment. These units can create rhythmic vibrations that resonate through the entire building. Our new Pate Vibration Isolation Rails (PVIR) offer a reliable, easy-to-install solution to this serious problem. Acting as a heavy-duty shock absorber, the PVIR uses coil springs as a resilient media to absorb the vast majority of the vibration energy emanating from the equipment, stopping it from being transmitted to the building structure.
This important function extends the life of the building’s structural components, and also reduces mechanical fatigue on the unit itself. In addition to reducing vibration, the PVIR also acts as a seismic and wind restraint, keeping the equipment attached to the curb or supports, and ultimately to the building structure.
The PVIR is shipped with the springs and restraints in place, so there is no onsite assembly required. It can be attached to the roof curb or equipment supports quickly and easily, requiring only basic tools and minimal time. When ordered together, the PVIR can be attached to new Pate curbs or equipment supports in our factory – shipping as a single unit to further reduce installation time on the jobsite.
Sound reduction and vibration isolation are often no longer optional
Modern building codes, along with current building owner and tenant expectations, are more stringent than ever – and for good reason. Mechanical “hum” and structural vibration aren’t just minor annoyances. They can be serious environmental factors that affect productivity and property value, as well as building and equipment life.
Now, with our expanded product line, we’ve made it easy for contractors to get the solutions they need to combat these critical issues – from the same reliable source they already trust for roof curbs and equipment supports. With a single order, everything you need to mount rooftop equipment – including sound reduction and vibration isolation components – can be on the way to your jobsite.
Always customized for your project and equipment
Every product in our Sound Reduction and Vibration Isolation line is built with the same Pate quality our customers have come to expect, and is custom engineered for each specific application. This is not a “one size fits all” business, so we make sure each product are built to the exact specifications of the equipment and roof pitch.
Like all Pate products, these sound reduction and vibration isolation products are constructed of durable materials, so they are built to last, even in harsh rooftop environments. They are also designed for easy installation, to save time and headaches in the field.
Learn more today!
Explore all of these new products on our Sound Reduction and Vibration Isolation page, which includes product data sheets and customizable submittals. If you have questions or want to discuss your individual needs, contact your Pate salesperson, who can be found on our sales locator map. Or you can also complete our contact form or send an email to sales@patecurbs.com.
