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How Do I Choose the Best Sound-Absorbing Materials?

Lori Kilchermann
Lori Kilchermann

When attempting to choose the best sound-absorbing materials, you will need to choose the materials according to the type of sound absorption that is required. There are many choices of materials, with each product serving a particular purpose, including sprayed-on insulation and acoustic blocking sheets that are placed in plain view. The type of sound-absorbing materials you will need are different, in most cases, for keeping noise inside of a room or out of a room or area. The fist step is to determine the type of sound that you want to control, and then you can choose from a selection of materials that will best meet your needs.

One of the most common types of sound-absorbing materials is a sprayed-on type of foam and fiber blend. Expanding foam mixed with cotton and synthetic fibers is commonly used to prevent the transfer of sound from furnace rooms and mechanical areas into office or residential areas. If you are attempting to deaden the noise entering a home from a garage, this option may also offer a beneficial and safe side effect: this type of sound-absorbing material is often fire-resistant. This material is also one of the best options for covering cement or block walls, as it is very good at adhering to hard surfaces without peeling off.

Soundproof room.
Soundproof room.

The level of sound-dampening is easily increased by common building materials, provided they are installed in unconventional ways. Special clips, such as those used to hang gypsum drywall board, can transform these common building materials into more than adequate sound-absorbing materials. If you wish to lessen the noise emitted by a laundry room, this may be your best choice. If you are, however, attempting to soundproof a music room or home movie theater room, your best choice may often be a thick, foam-padded wallboard that is covered with geometrical shapes designed to reflect and absorb sound.

Acoustic foam for soundproofing.
Acoustic foam for soundproofing.

If your intention is to insulate your home against the road sounds from a busy street, sound-absorbing materials in the form of sound-deadening curtains and drapes may prove to be your best choice. Special rubber-like mats are available as sound-absorbing materials to quiet noise transmitted between floors. You also might want to install this matting underneath the upstairs carpeting in your home. Other sound-absorbing materials, such as special windows, foam-filled cement blocks and simple fiberglass insulation may be the best choice for your particular application.

Discussion Comments

Raynbow

@spotiche5- I think that foam-padded wallboard will work perfect for keeping studio noise out of the rest of your home, but don't forget the sound that may travel to the outside of the house.

To prevent annoying other people in your neighborhood, I think that you will also have to invest in some sound-absorbing curtains for the windows in your son's future music studio. Just like the article mentions, this sound-absorbing accessory does a good job at keeping noise well-contained.

Ocelot60

@spotiche5- I think that installing foam-padded wallboard is your best bet for keeping the noise your son makes in his bedroom studio contained within the room. However, since the room is so close to other living space in your home, you should get the thickest padded wallboard that you can find.

Though thickly padded wallboard will cost a bit more than basic padded wallboard, you will be glad you chose it when your son's studio is up and running.

Spotiche5

My son wants to turn a spare bedroom into a home recording studio. Since this bedroom is close to the kitchen and the living room, I don't want the sound from his studio to bother other family members and guests. Will foam-padded wallboards be enough to keep the noise level outside of the studio to a minimum?

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    • Soundproof room.
      Soundproof room.
    • Acoustic foam for soundproofing.
      Acoustic foam for soundproofing.
    • Soundproofing foam panels may be used in recording studios.
      By: antbphotos
      Soundproofing foam panels may be used in recording studios.
    • Expanding foam can be used for soundproofing.
      By: auremar
      Expanding foam can be used for soundproofing.
    • Acoustic insulation can be used to soundproof a floor.
      By: Silvia Crisman
      Acoustic insulation can be used to soundproof a floor.