Soundproofing vs sound absorbing – explaining the difference.
When someone has a noise problem and doesn't know what to do, who to contact, or how to begin, they often turn to the internet and search for terms like “soundproofing.” We have been fielding calls from people looking to solve sound problems for years. These callers often explain that they want sound that is being made within the room to stay in the room or they want to keep sound out of their space. We start with a conversation about the room itself, the use of the room and the type of noise that we are dealing with in each particular situation.
It is common for people to ask for pricing on soundproofing foam,sound-absorbing foam, soundproofing insulation, or soundproofing panels. They are sure that foam is the ticket because they have seen “egg crate” foam or other similar products as finish wall treatments in recording studios, on TV shows, and in movies – and these types of rooms are really quiet or legitimately soundproof. So, it stands to reason that panels block sound, right? Well, not exactly… This misconception is incredibly common – so if you are reading this thinking to yourself, “So, does sound-absorbing foam work? Isn't foam used for soundproofing a room?” Unfortunately not. Foam doesn't stop a sound, it absorbs or reduces echo within the room. Don't feel bad. Plenty of people thought the same thing. Luckily, we are here to save the day. Soundproofing vs sound absorbing – what is the difference?
There are two sides of the acoustical coin, if you will. There are products that absorb echo within a room, and there are products that will block or stop/reduce sound transmission. (There are some panels that will do a bit of both. These are generally called composites, but for now, let's keep it simple.) Echo absorbing materials are used to improve the sound quality inside of the room in which they are installed. They are usually installed on the walls or ceiling as a finished surface in the room. Products that are used to block sound are used INSIDE of the wall or ceiling – as part of the construction material. They can be dense, heavy materials or materials that will decouple the wall assembly – and due to their density, often reflect the sound back into the room rather than the sound penetrating through to the other side. Absorbing the echo in a room and blocking or reducing sound are done in two very different ways and with different products and approaches.
Here is a simple analogy that helps people understand the physics of sound and how it works. Imagine you are building an aquarium to hold water. Would you use glass panels or sponges for the walls of the tank? This is clearly a ridiculous question, but it paints a picture of simple physics that applies here. Sound acts very similar to water when you are trying to control it. If you used sponges as the walls, they would absorb the water but quickly let all of it seep through to the other side. Glass and good seals block the water and keep it in place. Acoustical materials made from soft, squishy things like sponges are going to absorb. Dense, heavy, air-tight materials will block. Those are the basics right there. Now you can impress your friends with your newfound knowledge. Let's dive more into the specifics of slatted acoustic panel.
