How Acoustic Insulation Works

If you live in a small, quiet neighbourhood, chances are you may not need any soundproofing products. However, more of us are living in busy metropolitan areas where noise pollution can have a detrimental effect on health. When building or buying a home you should know more about acoustic insulation products before deciding to use this material.

Understanding Sound

Sound travels in waves and like the ripples of water in a pond, they spread outward form the source of the original sound. When this wave comes into contact with an eardrum they create sound.

Soundproofing Insulation Material

What kind of material can you use to deaden or reduce sound? Most soundproof insulation is made from materials such as vinyl nitrile foam that made into various forms that has tiny air cells in it when it is manufactured. Air waves striking these cells are dissipated by transforming their energy into small amounts of heat.

Soundproofing Options

When it comes to soundproofing, there are many options available. A simple solution to help prevent the transfer of sound is to soundproof a wall. When you soundproof a wall, this will prevent sound from travelling through the wall and as a result through the air on the other side.

Soundproofing Metal Sound Conductors

Many materials in the home can conduct or create sound – such as hot water pipes that pings or pop form expansion or contraction. Using the correct materials and techniques you will be able to soundproof these with ease.

Wrapping insulation material around the pipes can eliminate the sounds that would otherwise pass through the pipe. Many pipes travel through the walls from room to room. Sound waves can travel through the holes that are left in the walls. Packing these holes with insulating material can prevent these sound waves.

Air Leaks

Sounds radiating through air can often pass into an adjoining room by traveling under doors. It can even pass through air in heating vents. Noise conducted through these airways can be reduced or deadened by placing insulation in the air spaces between rooms in your home.

Flooring

Sound transmitted by floors and ceiling can be reduced or deadened by installing sound-absorbing materials, such as tiles, and carpeting. Avoiding the use of harder materials can also help reduce transmission of sound. There are also more floor soundproofing materials available that are dedicated to the task of preventing sound travelling between floors. These solutions are ideal for soundproofing in flats