Sound Insulation – Usable Materials Listing

Several construction materials that are commercially sold all have their own characteristics to reduce sound.  Construction managers and architects recommend some of them as highly e4ffective sound proofing materials and therefore can be used in sound insulation.

This would also mean that there are different frequencies with different transmission modes which call for different materials to be used during construction and install in your home. The following are some of the better materials you can avail of.

Mass loaded vinyl

MLV, as it is also called, is a good source of mass, although a bit steep in price. This is a highly dense and flexible membrane sold under various brand names.

The material is excellent in filling gaps and for wrapping ducts, pipes, and metal columns where a flexible sound barrier is needed. However, there are other choices that are more effective and cheaper than MLV when thinking of using it as a layer for soundproofing walls, floors and ceilings

Essentially, these are loosely-packed fiber that provides excellent sound absorption, a factor in sound proofing. Standard fiberglass insulation is as effective as mineral wool, and is not that costly. Foam also can give thermal insulation but is poor in soundproofing.

Panels

These drywall panels are also called by different names: wallboard, plasterboard, or gypsum boards. They are also excellent and inexpensive source of mass, which is a key element in soundproofing.

The drywall that is damped is incorporated into a sound damping layer. For sound proofing properties, these panels are superb.

Sound boards (or acoustical board) are not the best for soundproofing the house walls, although they are used as sound-deadening fiberboard. This is caused by their mass. However, they are useful in floors as a spacing layer. They don’t provide damping, decoupling or absorption.

Green glue

This adhesive is a soundproofing material that can be used for damping layers of drywall, plywood or subflooring. This is a highly effective and economical noised reducer and is one of the few ways to address the low-frequency noise from music, home theaters, construction machinery and others.

With other brands, it is always best to check out their test data before you buy.

Acoustical sealant

Originally, this is used to seal seams to prevent sound leakage. Without the proper sealing of the seams, all the other soundproofing materials have reduced effectiveness. Sound also has a way of seeping through the cracks. .

Decoupling hardware

It is a highly effective element of soundproofing but it can also actually increase the transmission of low-frequency noise, like a newly-made resonance chamber. Installing this correctly is also very important or sound just gets in some way.

Some windows and doors are termed pre-built, and already engineered to be insulated from sound. These work very well and save your money and time.

At the moment, there are many materials already that are good for sound insulation. Some are not really, in any way, made for blocking sound like egg crates, foam panels, carpet squares and mattresses.