Sound blocking materials are a great way to stop the noise entering your space where you leave or stay. Therefore, this may be irritating and disgusting if you need a silent and calm place to do something that you want to do in the area.
According to the reports of soundproofliving.com, you must significantly use sound absorbing materials that can help to remove echoes and reverberation of sound which is present in the air. So, most commonly musicians use soundproofing techniques to create a setup for room recording studios.
A good technique to soundproof will be useful and definitely helpful to you. Many things will be discussed. For this reason, there are many things you must need to understand sound blocking materials and you will be knowing much more information about them.
In this article, we have shared 9 easy steps which will help you to know what materials can block sound waves. There are also various topics covered which can also be helpful for you. So, you must carefully read the article completely to understand much about the topic.
So, let’s get started.
Table of Contents
What Types of Materials Can Block Sound Waves Effectively?
In sound engineering, the quality of any material to block the noise can be calculated using the NRC and STC scores.
NRC is a noise reflection coefficient so how high the number, will determine how much capacity that material has to absorb the noise and reflect the less.
Similarly, STC stands for the sound transmission coefficient, which determines the sound blocking ability of any material, and usually, it is suggested to have an STC score above 50.
You can learn in detail, what are the major difference between STC vs NRC and which one is crucial for what type of sound blocking materials.
What are the Materials to Block Sound Waves
Materials can be classified based on their functioning, hence i am sharing all the list of materials in brief based on their application. I have also included relevant detailed product and informative guides for each of the sound blocking materials. So here we go with the most awaited sound blocking material list.
1. SoundProof Drywall
To create a barrier for the noise, the most effective solution is to increase the density or mass of the existing barrier.
And Drywall is the best material that is used especially on top of the existing wall or ceiling, to increase the mass or density to create a strong barrier for the noise.
Drywall is a gypsum board that is made of calcium sulfate dihydrate, so the crystal of Gypsum is grinded and mixed with water and later mixed with the above ingredient.
Ideally, the STC score for the soundproof drywall would be more than 50, So here you can learn more on how Drywall works?
2. Acoustic Foam
Acoustic foam is mainly used on top of the existing wall either in your living room,studio or bedroom anywhere.
The major function of acoustic foam is to absorb the noise and always make sure to choose one which has a higher NRC score.
Few acoustic foam panels diversify the incoming noise waves and others dissipate them, so it all depends on the types and structure of acoustic panels.
You can select the best acoustic foam from the suggested list but my recommendation is to go with Pyramid acoustic foam as it has 4 pointed edges, sharp enough to redirect the sound waves.
3. Mass Loaded Vinyl (MLV)
Mass loaded vinyl is the great barrer to block the noise due to its build quality. Generally as we increase the density of any material the width also increases.
But Mass loaded vinyl has the industry best thickness to mass or desnity ratio and it is made of minerals like Barium sulfate or other dense particles and fibers.
It is the best replacement of the toxic soundproofing material like lead .
I highly recommend using the Mass Loaded vinyl on the wall, floor, or ceiling as it is the most cost-effective sound barrier and here you can learn how MLV works?
4. Insulation Materials
Insulations materials are mainly used to fill the cavity in between the studs of the wall or ceiling. Mainly, it is used to fill every single cavity as it increases the mass and improves the sound blocking capacity.
There are different types of insulation materials but it is highly recommended to use fiberglass insulation materials.
If you use Batt or Mineral wool insulation, you can simply do that using the DIY tips but if planning to use the Foam insulation then you might need professionals.
5. Resilient Channel and Isolation Clips
Resilient channel is the most effective solution to increase the insulation ability of the existing or new soundproofing materials.
Mainly it is used, when you place additional drywall on top of the existing wall or ceiling.
As it is of 1 or 2 layers where its 1 layer screwed against the existing wall and other with the new drywall, which you are putting on the wall.
In such a way, it creates a decoupling zone for the noise and as the noise passes from one medium to other, it dissipates energy and that is What the Resilient channel does with the help of isolation clips.
Here you can learn more on what is resilient channel and how you can use as the best material to block the sound.
6. Acoustic Sealant
Acoustic sealant’s primary goal is to block every hole or crack around the wall, door, or window.
Bit acoustic sealant is different than the normal sealant, as it’s soundproofing in nature and is flexible enough.
So can be used in any climate to expand and shrink withotu crack and has its ability to block noise.
What you need is a caulk gun and can easily fill the gaps using simple DIY Tips and here you can learn more about the best acoustic sealant and its ability to block the sound.
7. Green Glue
Green Glue is viscus in nature and has the ability to dampen sound energy by dissipating it into heat form.
It can not be used all alone, so mainly used to fill the cavity created in between 2 drywall or due to resilient channel.
So the more Green glue you will be using the more energy dissipation happens and less noise or sound transmission from outside to your required space.
Most of the time we use Green glue to soundproof wall. So the use of Green glue is optional but more effective to block the sound.
8. Acoustic Curtain
Acoustic curtains are heavy and dense in nature and mainly used over the window to not only black out the light but to absorb the noise.
It also reduces the noise reflection and absorbing most of the noise and will be much helpful to cover the long area of the window or door which are major reasons for the noise reflection.
I advise you to get the one from the best soundproof curtains as they are the most popular and most effective solutions for almost all types of noise.
9. SoundProof Blanket or Rug or Mat
Well how can you forget the noise coming from the floor due to the imapct of the object or footsteps or vibration of machines.
So always have a soundproof blanket or Rug on top of the existing floor or try soundproofing your existing floor.
That will cover the major area of the floor and abosorb most of the noise reflection.
In addition, sometimes noise created due to machine vibrations on the floor and that can be reduced using the Anti Vibration mat.
So use soundproof blankets to cover the unused high noise reflecting materials such as door, wall, or almari and use anti-vibration mat under heavy machines or rug on the floor can create a strong barrier for the noise.
Well, all suggested items are the most needed soundproof materials to block the sound and you can refer to the best or cheap soundproofing materials for each category which are cost-effective solutions to block the noise.
Wrap up on Materials to Block Sound
Every soundproof material has its own purpose to use but better you choose the one which offer great insulation and higher NRC and STC.
Our main goal is to increase the mass or density and that will does it job to block the sound, but if you have impact noise then look around the floor soundproofing.
I am sure this guide has helped you get aware of most of the noise blocking and absorbing materials and the suggested guide in the middle of the content has more to learn from.
FAQ: Materials to Block Sound waves
After reading the article, you may have various questions regarding the topic. For this reason, you might try to find them online on Google and look for their answers. In this FAQ Section, we have selected the questions and provided them with their answers.
Q1. What is considered as the cheapest way to block a sound?
Ans: Yes, you can try various cheapest ways to cut off much of the cost in effectively reducing noise. This can also be easily done by you to achieve the desired insulation. Some of the cheapest which are easy to do are acoustic caulk, decorative elements, furniture arrangement, foam mats, weatherstripping and door sweeps.
Q2. Is there any natural way which has soundproof properties?
Ans: Yes, you can also try to soundproof naturally. For this, you can keep some potted plants. On the other hand, you can use natural stone such as limestone or granite. Therefore, These natural ways absorb sound in the most effective way to reduce noise transmission.
Q3. How can you stop sound from travelling from outside?
Ans: In order to stop sound from travelling from outside, you need to enhance windows and doors. Also, you can plant trees to act as an outside barrier to sounds. Therefore, this method can help significantly reduce the intensity of entering your home.
