Sound absorbent materials such as acoustic insulation can be used to create a suitable acoustic environment within a space by reducing the “reverberation time”. Reverberation or simply just echoing affects the way a space sounds. A long reverberation time can make a room sound loud and noisy and causes speech to sound muffled and muddy. Rooms designed for speech therefore typically have a short reverberation time. This refers that a longer reverberation time can enhance a music hall by adding richness, depth and warmth to music.
Types of acoustic insulation that are typically used:
Blankets and Batts
Blanket insulation is the most common available type of insulation that are frequently used. The rolls of fiberglass and mineral fiber insulation used to prevent thermal transfer through the walls of a building also serve as a form of acoustic insulation. They can be placed between wall studs or inside of floor or roof framing to help control noise levels. Blankets improve acoustic performance of a wall or other structure by both absorbing sound waves and increasing the density of the structure. However, blanket insulations with the highest density are not necessarily the best form of acoustic insulation. Batts have R-values ranging from 3.2 to 3.8 per inch, depending on their density. Denser batts have higher R-values because the ratio between the glass fibers and the air pockets has been optimized. For optimal noise control, choose blankets with a density between 2.5 to 3.0 pounds per cubic foot with a higher density block high-frequency noise more thoroughly, but low-frequency noise control begins to degrade above this density level. Blankets with a density below this point may struggle to block high-frequency sounds.
Gypsum Panels
Gypsum wall and ceiling panels act as an effective form of acoustic insulation, reducing the amount of noise that travels between rooms. For instance, doubling the thickness of a gypsum wall reduces sound transmission through the wall by 6 decibels. Adding a second layer of drywall to a standard framed wall increases the sound transmission coefficient from 33 to 44, preventing loudest conversation from traveling through the wall.
Acoustic Panels
Instead of blocking sound transfer from room to room, acoustic panels are designed to absorb sound waves, which reduces echos and reverberation within a space. These panels often consist of mineral fiber or gypsum cores wrapped in a decorative vinyl or fabric cover. Echoes and sound pollution coming from outside or from one room to another can be reduced thanks to acoustic insulation, which is typically achieved by fitting solid boards at the moment the building is constructed. Acoustic panels are thus not the right solution for insulating spaces that suffer from noise pollution originating from the outside. Their main role is to absorb sound coming from within the room in question. They may be used in recording studios and performance halls to improve sound quality to cut noise levels. Foam egg-crate panels function similarly to acoustic panels and are used in many of the same applications.
Acoustic insulation materials can work in almost any area in your home. There are different forms of insulation products that can be applied to help minimize sound levels and also enhance comfort in your home. When choosing acoustic insulation, consider factors such as the price and whether it’s able to withstand the harsh elements.



