What is Acoustic Insulation?
acoustic insulation is used to mitigate the effects of unwanted sound and noise in commercial and residential spaces. A quiet and tranquil home seems like a distant dream for people residing in high-traffic and city centres where noise pollution is getting worse every year.
Soundproof insulation material comes with a wide range of economical solutions. You can choose from different types of materials depending on their unique requirements to bring their dream into reality for peace of mind living for the long run.
Some are more effective, while others are more suitable. It all depends on the source of the noise and the type of sound created coupled with building structure and other factors.
Let’s look at some of the types of acoustic insulation materials that significantly reduce noise pollution.
3 Main Benefits of Acoustic Insulation
Acoustic Insulation helps reduce energy bills during summers and winters. It should be prioritised for comfortable living for those households who are settled in high traffic areas.
- Cost-Effective: Every type of insulation minimises energy bills in one form or the other. Acoustic insulation has the added advantage of also keeping one’s household cool in summers and warm in winters. With sound absorption functionality, one can also make the best use of an energy-efficient environment.
- Health Benefits: Unwanted noise and sounds have always been a perfect recipe for distraction for many households. Now that majority of people are studying and working from home, there is no better solution than acoustic insulation. It’s a proven fact that noise pollution leads to stress and high blood pressure with mood disorders affecting productivity and other aspects of life. Improve everyday experiences with peace of mind living with acoustic insulation materials that best suit your home requirements.
- Added Comfort: Animals in wildlife rely on sound to find food, avoid predators, and mate. Pets are more vulnerable and sensitive to noise pollution. High-intensity sounds and disturbances can trigger fear and panic among dogs and cats. This can be detrimental to the way their body functions and can have a long-lasting impact as they age. Noise pollution is not only interfering in the natural order but also hastening the extinction of many species.
#1 Acoustic Mineral Wool Cavity Insulation
Rock, stone, mineral wool insulation are open-cell insulation materials that work well at absorbing thermal and acoustic energies. Quite economical, these insulation materials come in a wide range of thickness and densities.
They are not only good at thermal energy and acoustic absorption but also at filling cavities. Quite rigid, however easy to cut, they are widely used in soundproofing walls in commercial and residential places. Acoustic insulation slab is a well-known mineral wool insulation material that is also fire-resistant. You can also check out some of the best products offered by Knauf acoustic insulation. The glass mineral wool from Knauf is lightweight and provides exceptional acoustic performance and thermal insulation.
#2 Soundproof Drywall (plasterboard)
There are many varieties of drywall available in DIY stores. However, there is a specialised version of drywall called soundproof drywall used widely. It comes in different thickness and markets itself having an increased transmission than other types of drywall. They are used in construction due to their mass and density. This drywall combines several layers of gypsum boards with steel. The main aim is to block sound effectively by increasing its density and mass. This is great for soundproof insulation as long as you keep decoupling in mind. Soundproof drywall is a versatile material that can be used in any room or building and is quite effective.
#3 Acoustic Sealants
Acoustic sealants are known for their reliable soundproofing compounding on the principle of decoupling and work best when it comes to acoustic wall insulation. They come in dispensing tubes like that of sealant products and are relatively easy to apply. They are widely used in the construction of walls that require soundproofing where it is applied between the layers of different materials. It dissipates sound vibrations that otherwise manage to pass through the walls. Acoustic sealants work best for ceilings and walls and points where there are gaps or open spaces such as screw holes, seal holes, and seams. Be it residential projects or commercial, they are affordable, easy to apply, eco-friendly, and quite effective.
#4 Soundproof Wallpaper
Acoustic wallpapers are not your simple patterned sheet like most wallpapers you see. It works on layering where some soundproof wallpapers contain an extra layer of insulation to dampen the wall against the sound. Mass is the main principle while considering soundproofing wallpapers that are made up of closed-cell polyethene foam. This renders it a very decent sound-absorbing property, and the effects are minimal.
If you are looking for a more aesthetically pleasing look for your walls, then there are very few materials that can match what these wallpapers provide. Commercial or residential, they can be applied in any space and come in rolls for easy installation.
#5 Acoustic Isolation Membrane
Acoustic isolation membrane is used within ceilings, floors and walls to mitigate impact sound and airborne. Acoustic insulation membranes are available in 3mm and 6mm thickness. These membranes are polymer-based and thus very adaptable, flexible and easy to install. It offers great acoustic floor insulation without affecting the thickness of ceilings or walls. Some other insulation materials such as MLC (mass loaded vinyl) are rubber compounds infused to increase density and mass. However, they are heavy materials and rely on a defective principle. Acoustic insulation membranes help block sound transfers better than a sheet of lead are perfect for sound insulation in big areas such as schools, cinema halls, theatres etc.
Wrapping Up
We hope to have covered key points and some of them in detail about some of the effective ways to soundproof your space. You might wonder what is the best acoustic insulation? There are many products available in the market, and the above-mentioned were just a few of them.
You will encounter products that are best suited for different scenarios and acoustic principles. If you are in the process of or are considering acoustic insulation materials for your home or business, always make well-informed decisions on the best soundproofing material and method to use.