From traffic sounds and neighborhood
clamor to excessive internal echoes in crowded rooms; unwanted noise acts as a
major annoyance in almost any setting. Different
types of acoustic insulation are designed to deflect, absorb and dissipate
noise to keep sound levels at a more manageable level. At best, many are good
products and truly useful for soundproofing. Some, however, are of questionable
benefit to homeowners.
Two distinct soundproofing problems
should be considered when designing acoustic treatments: how to improve the
sound within a room and how to reduce sound leakage to and from adjacent rooms
or outdoors.
Choosing the best materials depends
on your home requirements, your budget, and how efficient you need it to be.
These are the most common materials
used to achieve acoustic insulation:
Blankets
and Batts: placed
between wall studs or inside floors or roof framing, these materials to help
control noise levels. Blankets improve acoustic performance by absorbing sound
waves and increasing the density of the structure.
Gypsum
Panels: according to the Department of Transportation, doubling the thickness
of a gypsum panel reduces sound transmission through walls by 6 decibels.
Acoustic
Panels: designed
to absorb sound waves instead of blocking sound transfer from room to room.
Acoustic panels reduce echoes and reverberation within a space and according to
Armstrong World Industries they are capable of absorbing up to 95 percent of
sound.
An effective sound barrier can be
yours when the correct type of acoustic insulation is correctly installed into
your home. Leave it to the experts to provide you with the peace and quiet that
you deserve.
