Places such as classrooms, recording studios, indoor concert halls and churches share one thing in common and this pertains to soundproofing. For those of you who may be unaware of this, the places mentioned require spoken words and sounds to be transmitted in a very crisp and clear manner if possible. And in order for this to be achieved, soundproofing materials need to be installed.
In classrooms today that accommodates many students, a teacher's lecture needs to be heard loud and clear so that even those at the back part can still understand the lessons being discussed. This is where the essence of acoustics comes in.
Acoustiblok Materials used for soundproofing purposes have modernized. From the egg trays or cartons made from paper used in the past, there are various advanced materials available today for use by discerning builders.
Acoustic materials help in noise control and reduction as well as echo and vibrations in any interior space. This is to achieve a clear sound that can be heard and understood by people who are listening and to prevent noise from entering the room.
Soundproofing foam - This is ideal for sound control and air seal in both residential and commercial spaces and is installed in walls and ceilings. It particularly blocks sounds coming from the outside thereby making the interior space a quiet place for families and workers. When used in homes, this can even prevent the odour of cooking and smoking from penetrating the wall cavities.
Made from polyurethane or polystyrene or melamine, various brands of these soundproofing foam panels are available in the market today. You can find styles similar to egg cartons and other textured surfaces.
Acoustic quilt - This is an eco-friendly product that makes use of glass mineral wool from silica sand, a naturally occurring mineral. It uses acoustic fibreglass absorption and acoustic membrane laminated in the middle to block sounds from floors, walls and ceilings. Considered superior compared the standard cavity infill including lead and the normal mineral wool.
Acoustic mineral wool - This can serve as a sound-absorbing infill to prevent the entry of airborne noise in between walls, flooring joists and suspended ceilings. Being a thicker material compared to the standard loft insulation, this is better in absorbing sound and great for soundproofing ceilings.
Cotton batting - Great for absorbing sound and noise control. A dense type of cotton batting material can greatly help in reducing sound in a room. It serves another purpose as thermal insulation. It can be used in soundproofing ceilings and walls as well. A better choice is the one made from the environmentally friendly natural cotton fibre which does not contain chemical irritants. Most of this cotton batting is made from 80 per cent recycled material and perform better compared to the standard thermal insulators.
Soundproofing mats - Prevents the transmission of airborne noise and works better than lead. Made from mass loaded vinyl or MLV, this thin mat that contains mineral is ideal for use in lightweight flooring and walls notably for domestic projects. For maximum efficiency, you can use two to three layers of these mats on wooden floors.
Acoustic panels are effective in absorbing sound and controlling noise. In a recording studio, for instance, this material allows for the capturing of crisp and clear sound whether spoken words or music performed live through the use of musical instruments.
Shishir is a guest blogger, having his blogs published on various sites including Huff Post. He loves to watch documentary movies and travel across different countries to explore new places. Moreover, He is Google AdWords & Analytics certified partner having more than 9 years SEO & Digital marketing experience.)