Imagine you want to record music or a podcast in your home. How can you comfortably do it without disturbing others in the house? It’s essential to have the best insulation for soundproofing. Your chosen materials significantly affect your audio quality and your studio’s usability. Here’s what you need to know.
Methodology
The effectiveness of insulation is integral to your selections. Here is the methodology for determining the best materials for your home or studio.
| Material composition | Materials will differ based on their sound transmission class (STC). Therefore, it’s essential to have a higher STC to block noise. |
| Acoustic performance | In addition to blocking noise, the insulation must manage sound and provide the desired acoustics. Materials should reduce reverberation time and absorb sound. |
| Environmental impact | Insulation has a lower environmental impact when recycled materials are used. Otherwise, using raw resources could heighten your carbon footprint. |
| Fire resistance | Accidents can happen inside any building. Insulation must stop the spread of flames and meet building codes. |
Best Insulation for Soundproofing
The insulation you select for soundproofing goes a long way toward noise reduction. Here are six options typically used in construction.
1. Fiberglass
Fiberglass is among the top insulation options because it effectively breaks up sound waves. Installing this material reduces noises passing through the walls and makes your room more comfortable. Fiberglass also slows heat transfer and keeps your room or studio warmer in the winter.
Creating fiberglass means blending glass, limestone, silica sand and other materials. Once it turns into molten glass, the manufacturer can transform it into insulation and reinforce it with resin. Some variations used in construction include fiberglass batt insulation. This material looks like a small blanket, and contractors use it between wall studs and floor joists.
2. Mass-Loaded Vinyl
As the name suggests, this material adds heavy pieces of vinyl and significant mass to your desired surface. The insulation can block sound on your walls, ceilings, floors and other areas. While the vinyl itself is thin, manufacturers combine it with strong materials like calcium carbonate to add more weight.
Calcium carbonate is among the best insulation materials for soundproofing because it dampens soundwaves and increases the composite’s stiffness. Another critical attribute is calcium carbonate’s ability to alter the pore wall roughness of aerogels, thus enhancing sound absorption. The flexibility of mass-loaded vinyl helps it fit numerous applications, whether home or industrial.
3. Acoustic Foam
When building a recording studio or soundproof room, it’s typical to see contractors use acoustic foam. This material could contain polyurethane or melamine, as both are lightweight and porous. Due to these qualities, they can absorb sound better than other products. From pyramids to egg crates, there are different ways to get acoustic foam.
Acoustic foam is typical in a music studio or other professional studios. These honeycomb structures enhance sound quality by absorbing waves. When installing acoustic foam, you typically choose between open-cell and closed-cell foam. Open-cell foam is more common indoors, whereas closed-cell foam works outdoors to combat moisture.
4. Denim
While many associate denim with jeans, construction professionals can use it for insulation. The fibers within denim make it porous and effective in absorbing sound waves. Therefore, each room has reduced noise transmission, echoes and reverberation. Denim’s thickness also aids its noise-blocking abilities, especially when the sound has a high frequency.
Another advantage of denim is its sustainability. Most manufacturers create the insulation from recycled jeans, thus enhancing the material’s green thumb. Denim derives from cotton, a water-intensive crop. Hence, recycled denim reduces reliance on natural resources. This insulation is also easier to handle because it contains fewer chemicals and doesn’t itch in installation.
5. Cellulose
Cellulose is another eco-friendly option because it comes from recycled paper. While it contains loose materials, it still effectively masks the sound in your preferred setting. Experts say it works best in industrial environments, restaurants or mechanical facilities. Absorption is the key attribute of cellulose, as its thickness fosters a solid noise reduction coefficient (NRC).
When installing insulation, construction professionals prefer blown-in cellulose because of its strong properties. With this process, a machine distributes the cellulose across the desired area and into less accessible places. Therefore, you increase coverage in the attic and wall gaps more than batts can. While both are effective, blown-in insulation has a leg up during installation.
6. Mineral Wool
Mineral wool is an increasingly common insulation component, and some say it’s the best for soundproofing. This material doesn’t contain metals, as it originates from stone and silica. Once melted, the manufacturer spins it into fibers used in walls, floors and ceilings. Other iterations include stone wool and glass wool.
One of mineral wool’s hallmark traits is its fire resistance. The material is excellent at resisting high temperatures, making it terrific for restaurants and other industrial settings. Because it’s noncombustible, mineral wool doesn’t emit toxic gases in extreme conditions. Therefore, construction teams will use it in crawl spaces, attics and other spots that need soundproofing.
Trusted Businesses to Source Insulation
Consumers have numerous choices when selecting their insulation materials. Where can you source them? Here are four trusted businesses that help you acquire materials and learn about the best insulation for soundproofing.
1. Soundproof Cow
Soundproof Cow is among the best businesses for insulation solutions because of its vast product selection and informative guides. Beginners benefit from the all-in-one website and its DIY soundproofing guides, which help you learn how to soundproof your studio, restaurant, bedroom or gym space. Each step of the way, Soundproof Cow experts are there to help.
One of the key features of Soundproof Cow is the Quiet Batt soundproofing technologies. These materials contain 80% recycled cotton fibers with three primary features — soundproofing, sound absorption and thermal insulation. With 16-inch and 24-inch sizes, there are options for most applications. These sheets readily fit between stud wall assemblies and floor joists.
Besides Quiet Batt, Soundproof Cow offers noise-dampening barriers, systems and sweeps. These products contain fiberglass composites, foam composites or mass-loaded vinyl barriers for your soundproofing needs. The company provides soundproof coating, RoadBlockR products, pads, strips and sheets if you need deadening material. These items remove vibrational energy and absorb the shocks produced by sound.
Another integral Soundproof Cow feature is the company’s attention to customer service. Past clients report quick responses to emails and phone calls — even when late-night or early-morning assistance is necessary. Regardless of your niche, Soundproof Cow is there to help with residential and commercial soundproofing needs.
Key Features
| Proven Quiet Batt soundproofing technology | Rapid customer service response |
| Residential and commercial soundproofing products | Informative guides for different niches |
| Variety of acoustic panels | Sound barriers and isolation systems |
2. Service Partners
With 75 branches nationwide, Service Partners is a leader in providing the best insulation for soundproofing. The company sets itself apart through next-day delivery and service through its expansive network. Service Partners is a preferred supplier for construction teams, providing everything from soundproofing products to building supplies. Residential and commercial contractors can find what they need for any room in your home.
Service Partners features fiberglass batt and fiberglass blow-in insulation. Its wide selection supports your home or studio, whether you have metal roofs, an attic or a dust allergy. Its foil scrim kraft-faced insulation provides extra protection from water vapor and fires. The experts at Service Partners determine your needs based on your climate zone and the R-values necessary.
Service Partners is famous for its exclusive blown-in-blanket system (BIBS). With a BIBS in your home, you maximize your thermal efficiency and your facility’s R-values. The mechanism also provides terrific insulation for soundproofing, as it envelopes objects inside the wall’s cavity. Therefore, your home or studio can control the sound more effectively. BIBS from Service Partners also uses proprietary materials with naturally noncombustible compositions.
Besides insulation materials, Service Partners sells helpful accessories for DIY projects. For example, you may need a batt knife to cut through the insulation and make the project easier. The selection includes fixed-blade, retractable, pipe and batt knives that are sharp and safe to use. Regardless of the construction project, there are knives available for your job. The company also provides insulation supports, hammer staplers and other aids.
Key Features
| Nationwide distribution | Fast delivery and service |
| Fireproofing products | Wide insulation selection |
| Geared toward contractors | One-stop-shop for building supplies |
3. Sound Away
Sound Away is a trusted source of soundproof insulation for those in the music and content-creating industries. It offers everything from studio windows to door seals so your home theater or recreational vehicle has what it needs to eliminate noise. The company prides itself on Whisperwave acoustic panels to reduce reverberation and absorb noise. With different designs, you can also add to your room’s desired aesthetic.
Whisperwave products are unique because they contain curved wall panels. The innovative design makes the acoustic material ideal for fire resistance and muting those pesky loud noises. Another key feature is the lightweight nature of Whisperwave panels. Considering they weigh just a few pounds, they’re more practical for DIY projects. They also look like they are part of a professional recording studio.
Some facilities require more substantial insulation for soundproofing to get the best results. Sound Away provides the resources necessary to mute noise in offices, restaurants and auditoriums. For larger buildings, you may need the company’s ambience ceiling tiles. These products have up to 1.05 NRC and 26 STC. Another formidable option is the sound-absorbing acoustic panels featuring numerous colors and fabrics.
Another unique feature of the Sound Away selection is the door modifications. If you need a new door, the store has soundproof options to ensure your room or studio has the utmost quietness and privacy. These QuietSpec doors have high STC and outdoor/indoor transmission class (OITC) ratings, so you can’t easily hear loud noises inside. Sound Away also offers door bottom seals to maximize noise deletion.
Key Features
| Custom-made soundproof studio windows | Whisperwave products available |
| New and replacement acoustic ceiling tiles | Ambience wall panels for auditoriums |
| Services for residential, commercial and automotive needs | Studio doors, acoustic caulk and other necessary products |
4. Rockwool
Rockwool has been a family-owned business for over 80 years, making it a premier authority on soundproofing and insulation. The company’s calling card is its use of stone wool and its focus on environmental sustainability. Stone wool is a natural resource from volcanic rocks that can be repurposed. While it helps those with green thumbs, this mineral wool is practical because it resists water and fire.
Another unique Rockwool feature is the availability of below-grade insulation materials. These products are best for your recording studio or shelter under the ground’s surface. While the basement generally has solid natural insulation, the below-grade selection boosts the soundproofing and durability. When working underground, you need substantial slabs and insulation to keep your foundation steady. Otherwise, you risk sound, water and thermal performance issues.
Outside the basement, Rockwool offers an eclectic mix of insulation products. One of the best options is Rockwool AFC, which has stone wool batt insulation. This material is terrific for interior partitions, especially those made from wood and steel. Its sound absorption capabilities make it suitable for soundproofing. The company has a non-formaldehyde alternative, thus improving the environmental impact.
One of the last things you want to see in your soundproof room is a fire. Rockwool products can provide passive fire protection to mitigate spreading flames and contain them in one location. This feature is critical if your home or studio is close to another, considering the fire risks are less in your control. Rockwool’s seal strips are practical for combating these dangers and reinforce linear joints.
Key Features
| Online application guides | Below-grade insulation products |
| Passive fire protection | Slabs fit easily around cables and pipes |
| Stone wool composition for environmental friendliness | Acoustic insulation for walls, ceilings, roofs and floors |
Determining the Best Insulation for Your Soundproofing Needs
From professional studios to home privacy, there are numerous reasons why you may want better insulation. Modern materials like fiberglass and mass-loaded vinyl get the job done in your walls, ceilings and crawl spaces. When choosing your insulation, consider the best components for your needs. Some materials are better at temperature resistance while others excel at reducing reverberations.
Once you’ve determined your material, lean on the expertise of a reputable dealer. These businesses have industry experience and understand how to navigate your situation. Then, you must determine if you will install it yourself or hire a contractor. Research the installation difficulty and ask how much experience they have with your preferred selection. Once you take these steps, you’ll be confident you’re choosing the right material for your needs.
