Sound Absorbing Materials Guide

How Does Sound Work?

Sound waves are created by vibrations. For example, when someone sings, their vocal cords vibrate and send waves through the air to the listener. Higher-frequency sounds consist of short sound waves, whereas lower-frequency sounds contain long waves. Higher-frequency sounds don’t bend as much around barriers and are reflected by thin materials. Lower sound waves pass through thinner materials. In general, sound loses energy as it passes through walls.

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Noise is unwanted sound and happens when sound is not absorbed by anything and reflects off of walls or other materials. This is why sound-absorbing materials can come in handy. You can check out and compare the noise reduction coefficient (NRC) for each of our products to get an idea of how well each material absorbs sound. The higher the NRC, the more sound a product absorbs.

How Do Sound Absorption Materials Work

Sound waves will do one of two things when they encounter an object – they can be absorbed, or they can be reflected. When sound is reflected, it is sent back into the room. When it’s absorbed by a sound-absorbing material, it turns into a small amount of heat energy. Acoustics science involves finding the right balance between absorption and reflection.

Imagine you’re watching a band play in an auditorium. If the entire space were covered with sound-absorbing materials, the walls would absorb too much sound and make the music sound flat. The musicians would also have to work hard not to make any mistakes. However, some reverberation would help the music ring beautifully, as long as there’s not too much echo.

There’s also the matter of sound transmission from one room to another. Just like sound absorption, certain materials are better at blocking sound than others. Controlling sound between rooms is sometimes referred to as sound insulation.

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What Are the Best Sound Absorbing Materials?

Sound-absorbing materials are meant to improve the quality of sound within a room by controlling sound reflections. The desired effect is to reduce unwanted noise like echoes or high-pitched laughing. Acoustic sound-absorbing materials can help musicians find greater satisfaction with their music, or help students stay focused when they’re studying in the library. Sound absorption is useful in many different commercial and residential settings.

How do you know which material is best? Let us help you decide which type of sound-absorbing materials to use. We put together a quick, convenient list of our best sound-absorbing materials, so you can learn more and choose the perfect material for your soundproofing needs.

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1. Acoustic Glass Mineral Wool

Our acoustic glass mineral wool panels offer a lightweight solution for highly customizable sound absorption. Mineral wool is made from natural rock materials that have been spun into a glassy fibrous structure. Each of our panels offers consistent sound absorption. They can be cut to fit any budget or room size. Our glass mineral wool panels feature the following:

• Completely made-to-order for perfection every time
• Available in 1-inch or 2-inch thickness
• Made from safe materials

Benefits include:

• Lightweight
• Easy to install
• Budget-friendly
• Customizable and highly versatile
• Reduces unwanted reverberations
• Provides energy efficiency in any space
• Naturally fire-resistant
• Does not absorb or retain moisture

Musicians and audiophiles alike appreciate how acoustic glass mineral wool effectively reduces reverb, ringing, and other unwanted noises in a musical space. However, these panels work great in a wide range of applications including:

• Inside noisy appliances
• As a ceiling panel
• As an office partition
• In machine rooms
• Inside heating and cooling equipment
• Anywhere sound absorption is needed

2. Acoustic Foam

If you’re looking for an affordable, easy way to improve sound quality, acoustic foam is the answer. Acoustic foam is extremely easy to install in any space with a peel-and-stick backing. It’s perfect for dampening sound within a commercial or residential area, and you can use it to help keep sound out. Some of our acoustic foam options include:

• Polyester film-facing panels: Made of polyurethane foam, our polyester film-facing panels are engineered to keep sound in and keep neighbors from complaining. They also provide excellent sound absorption and insulation with minimal thickness. If you want a strong, superior product for a fraction of the cost of other sound-absorbing foam materials, this is your panel. Our 1-inch panels provide a 0.65 NRC, while our 3-inch thick panels offer an NRC of 1.15.
• Reinforced aluminum-facing panels:Our reinforced aluminum-facing panels provide extra protection in high-heat environments and are resistant against tearing. These panels provide all of the sound-absorbing qualities of our other foam products.
• Acoustic foam panels in varying colors:Our flexible polyurethane foam panels come in a variety of appealing colors from aqua to pumpkin to create a place of peace and solitude. These acoustic foam panels help eliminate exterior noise and absorb sound within a room regardless of frequency. Our 2-inch thick panels have an NRC of 1.00.
• Udderly Quiet™ fabric-covered foam panels: Our Udderly Quiet foam panels ensure optimal acoustical performance in an auditorium, theater or anywhere you wish to reduce echo. These panels are highly versatile and easy to install. The fabric is easy to clean and mildew-resistant, ensuring maximum cleanliness, and are available in different colors to match the decor.
• Fire-rated foam panels: For use in temperatures reaching up to 482 F, choose our Class A acoustic foam. These panels are designed to absorb sound in high temperatures and are engineered with high-quality melamine foam. They are lightweight and easy to install with peel-and-place backing. These flame-resistant panels are ideal for medical facilities or anywhere that uses high-tech equipment. A 2-inch thick panel has an NRC of 0.80.

As you can see, there are tons of acoustic foam options. Although the possibilities are endless regarding where you can place acoustic foam, here are a few ideas:

• Auditoriums
• Engine compartments
• Gun ranges
• Gymnasiums
• Manufacturing facilities
• Medical facilities
• Offices
• Recording studios
• Theatres
• Utility rooms
• Workshops

Acoustic foam benefits include:

• Keeps sound out
• Reduces reverb
• Improves acoustics
• Affordable
• Can also double as wall art

Overall, these products are excellent at absorbing sounds in spaces where acoustics play a major role. They’re also among the most affordable solutions we offer at Soundproof Cow. Be sure to look for our No Bull specials.

3. Echo Absorber™ Acoustic Cotton

Our Echo Absorber™ panels and baffles are among our best sound-absorbing materials. Made of 80 percent recycled materials, the natural fiber panels aren’t just great at controlling sounds. They’re also resistant to mold, mildew, and flames, as well as suited to temporary or permanent installations. These lightweight materials are easy to install, just like the rest of our products, and they provide tremendous value for the cost.

You can choose the right thickness or pack size for your needs. Options include:

• Echo Absorber acoustics panel natural blend: These panels are free of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), made from recycled cotton and are Class A rated. They can be mounted to any flat surface or wrapped around curved walls or columns to reduce reverberation. Thermal bonding makes these panels resistant to tears and impact. A 2-inch panel offers a 1.00 NRC.
• Echo Absorber acoustics panel packs: For outstanding noise reduction at an affordable price, we offer convenient packs of three, six or fourteen panels. Our case of three covers up to 24 square feet and offers an NRC of 1.15

This sound-absorbing material is perfect for:

• Auditoriums
• Call centers
• Conference rooms
• Computer rooms
• Gymnasiums
• Offices
• Studios
• Theaters
• Warehouses

Acoustic cotton benefits include:

• Cost-effective
• Meets most building codes
• Fungi, mold, mildew and flame resistance
• Environmentally-friendly

4. Acoustic Partitions

An acoustic partition offers the ideal sound-absorbing solution when you want to divide a room into smaller spaces and save yourself the time, cost and trouble of remodeling. Our free-standing acoustic partitions are lightweight and easy to move around whenever you want to change the layout of a room or turn any space into a quiet, private area. They’re available in a range of colors to fit into the style of an office, restaurant or school. Our Udderly Quiet™ acoustic partitions offer the following features:

• 4 feet by 5 feet with custom sizes available
• 60 percent recycled acoustic mineral wool core
• 100 percent recycled acoustic fabric options available
• NRC rating of 1.00

Acoustic partitions are perfect for use in:

• Conference spaces
• Hotels
• Offices
• Restaurants
• Study rooms
• Anywhere you want to divide a space and enjoy quality sound

Benefits include:

• Flexibility
• Absorbs background noise
• Offers a temporary sound solution
• Customization options
• Improves privacy
• Superior sound absorption
• Exceptional quality
• Easy to install and move around
• Available in endless fabric options to match any decor
• Class A rating
• Highly durable
• Extremely versatile

5. Hanging Baffles

Do you need sound absorption but have very little wall space? Hanging baffles solve the problem for you. You can hang baffles from the ceiling to create soundproofing insulation just about anywhere. They capture and redirect sound while blending into the surroundings. You can also add a touch of art to the ceiling with a custom covering, or you can choose fabric from over 1,000 options. Here’s our selection of hanging baffles worth considering for discreet sound absorption options:

• Udderly Quiet acoustic baffle 250 series: Our Udderly Quiet acoustic baffle features an internal aluminum frame to improve overall stability and offers exceptional acoustic performance. You can choose from a variety of environmentally-friendly covering options to add style anywhere. With a 1-inch thickness, you can expect an NRC of 0.80.
• Udderly Quiet acoustic baffle 200 series: Better for smaller spaces, our 200 series offers size options up to 3 feet by 6 feet. You can choose rounded or square corners. These baffles are available 2-inches thick with a 1.10 NRC.
• Echo Absorber hanging baffle natural series: As a cost-effective option, our Echo Absorber hanging baffles get the job done. They are available in 1-inch thick 4-foot by 4-foot squares to absorb unwanted reverberation. They offer a great economical option in noisy places like cafeterias and gymnasiums. Made mostly of recycled material, these baffles are safe and environmentally friendly.
• Echo Absorber hanging baffle pack: You can also choose 1-inch baffles in packs of six or fourteen for an NRC of 0.85. Or you can go with an eight-pack of 2-inch thick baffles for a 1.15 NRC.
• Udderly Quiet Class A anechoic hanging baffles: Featuring a unique, open-cell design, these baffles are ideal for high-heat areas or where sparks may fly. These baffles are 3 inches thick, made of high-quality melamine foam and offer superior sound absorbing capabilities.

Hanging baffles are the perfect sound-absorbing material for:

• Auditoriums
• Gymnasiums
• Gun ranges
• Call centers
• Offices
• Industrial facilities
• Anywhere with limited wall space

The baffles are easily installed with medium or light-duty chains and hooks. Udderly Quiet installations work well in all types of residential, retail, commercial and government applications. Because they’re suspended in air, you don’t have to worry about acoustic backing or modifying the walls of your space. Hanging baffles offer the following benefits:

• Excellent soundproofing using out-of-the-way ceiling space
• Easy to install
• Made of quality, durable materials
• Designed to improve sound quality in spaces of all sizes

6. Quiet Board™ Water Resistant Panels

If you’re looking for water- or stain-resistant acoustic materials that absorb sound, check out Quiet Board™. At Soundproof Cow, we’re proud to offer this option to a wide range of clientele. The temporary acoustic panels absorb and block sound in any area where a washable material is necessary. Our Quiet board panels feature the following:

• Available in 2-inch or 1-inch thickness
• Come in cases of three or seven for 2-inch panels, or cases of six or thirteen for 1-inch panels
• Offer an irregular surface texture that absorbs 50 percent of airborne sound and a polypropylene core that deflects 50 percent of sound
• Class A product

These panels are perfect for sound absorption in messy or moist areas such as:

• Arenas
• Car washes
• Dog kennels
• Food preparation areas
• Gymnasiums
• Indoor swimming pools
• Laboratories
• Medical facilities
• Rooftop enclosures
• Skating rinks
• Under the floor or as a ceiling tile

With Quiet Board panels, you’ll enjoy the following benefits:

• Highly durable, water-resistant material
• Strong resistance against chemicals, bacteria and fungi
• Impact resistance
• Washable