Insulation for Soundproofing Purposes: What are the Different Material Options?

09 March 2022

For many homeowners and businesses, insulation is used to regulate the temperature of the building. In many locations, acoustic properties are also important. Insulation provides a comfortable environment for those inside the building, but what is the best type of insulation for its acoustic properties?

 

How Does Soundproofing Insulation Work?

Before insulation is installed, the walls contain airspace, which is an excellent medium for sound transmission. The air inside the walls actually amplifies the sound, similar to when you can hear the “ocean” when listening to a conch shell. The insulation fills in the gaps and prevents the sound from travelling through the space between the walls.

One way to know the soundproofing ability of an insulation material is to check its STC Score. This stands for “sound transmission class” and is similar to the R-factor for thermal insulating properties. The STC uses a system of numbers that measures how well a human voice can be understood when standing on the other side of the material. They range from 25, which is easily understood, to 50, which is inaudible and unable to be heard at all.

Here are four of the best insulation materials for their acoustic properties.

 

Fibreglass Batt Insulation

Fibreglass insulation is an excellent choice for interior walls, floors, and ceilings. It can reduce the sound by between 5 and 15 decibels. It is an excellent choice for commercial buildings and homes that are close to traffic and where you want to reduce the noise level inside the space.

 

Blown-In Insulation

Blown-in insulation fills in the gaps that could allow sound to travel through them. Both cellulose and fibreglass have good sound reduction properties. They also offer excellent thermal insulation properties.

 

Spray Foam Insulation

Spray foam insulation is an excellent choice for both thermal and acoustic properties. It is in direct contact with the outer surface of the wall or ceiling, which means that there are no gaps to transmit sound. It also expands up to 100 times its original volume, so it fills in the air gaps and cracks, too.

 

Mineral Wool or Rock Wool

Mineral wool or “rock” wool is another insulation material that has excellent acoustic properties, but it is not necessarily the best insulator as far as heat and cold are concerned. It can be used with other materials to get the best of both worlds. It is often used on interior walls as a soundproofing barrier in an area where heat and cold insulation are less important.

D & D Insulation Services has been serving the Melbourne, Victoria, area since 1998. With over 21 years of experience in the supply and installation of many different types of insulation, our services are efficient and professional. Our services include many types of batt and blown-in insulation for both acoustic and thermal applications. We pride ourselves on quality, and that is why we have an established reputation in Melbourne and the Western Suburbs. Contact us for your acoustic and thermal insulation needs.

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