We all struggle with noise pollution from time to time, either from neighbours, machines, transport or propagation systems. If you’re in an office or at home, you might want to look into some of the soundproofing methods available, to suit you and your needs. Our team at Noise Stop Systems put together some information on soundproofing foam and how and if it actually works.
What is Soundproofing Foam?
Soundproofing foam, or acoustic foam, is one of the most effective materials to use and is designed to treat room acoustics. It reduces resonance, reflections and flutter echoes by absorbing the sound and preventing it from bouncing around the room. You can use acoustic foam for ceilings, walls and other surfaces, making it effective and variable as well as easily manoeuvred.
There are different types of soundproofing foam available such as:
- Smooth – This type of foam is used less because more times than not it reflects the sound rather than absorb it. It can be used as a foundation layer underneath textured panels for added soundproofing.
- Wedge – It comes in a spiky look and absorbs the sound better than a smooth foam panel but it is limited when it comes to the direction of the sound, making it harder to use for larger rooms.
- Eggcrate – With a rounder design, this soundproofing foam is one of the most affordable ones to buy and it can be used with other designs for extra sound proofing or on its own for DIY projects.
- Pyramid – The panels have a pointed tip which makes them have a lower rate of absorbing lower frequencies, especially in comparison to other types.
- Spade – The spade panels come with better sound quality properties than the smooth acoustic foam but less effective than the pyramid or wedge and can be used to achieve a pleasant look with a more varied sound quality.
- Grid – The surface has raised lines which redirects and absorbs sound waves and vibrations. It’s mainly used for small areas where the noise is easier to control.
Pro and Cons
Using acoustic foam for your office or home can help tremendously with the noise pollution. There are definitely more pros than cons when it comes to acoustic foam and its uses. The pros include that it reduces airborne sound waves enormously, allowing you to enjoy yourself with no outside factors. It also enhances the sound quality so it works well in a studio or a home cinema. Room design is also a very big pro, as panels come in different sizes and shapes, allowing you to incorporate the theme to your home’s interior design.
There are a couple of cons to take into consideration though such as the lack of fire protection in case of a disaster as well as not being efficient if placed incorrectly, so always make sure you get a professional to do the work if you’re not 100% confident in doing it yourself.
In conclusion, soundproofing foam is one of the best products you can use to sound proof your office or home. Always do your research or ask a professional for the best solutions to your acoustic problems.
