Sound insulation
What sound insulation materials are there?
Within acoustics, we distinguish different types of sound insulation.
First of all, you have absorption materials. Sound-absorbing materials improve the acoustics in a room. This makes the room sound less hollow and reduces the echo. This creates more calmness and concentration.
Secondly, there are sound-insulating materials. These materials block sound. This applies to sound from inside or outside. And thus you experience less noise. Sound-insulating boards often have a high mass. The rule is: the heavier, the better the sound-insulating board.
Thirdly, there are sound-absorbing materials. These are boards that are placed on metal surfaces, for example.
Damping plates dampen vibrations on steel and aluminium surfaces. This can be used in cars, for example.
Finally, there are vibration isolating materials. These prevent vibrations from propagating. Or vibration isolation such as EASYbond for the construction of floating floors when soundproofing floors.
Soundproofing materials / Sound insulation material
Sound insulation material (acoustic insulation) limits the transmission of sound. Transmission is the extent to which sound is transmitted through the wall or ceiling. For example, with an acoustic stretch ceiling.
There is a rule: the lighter a sound-insulating material, the more transmission. A sheet of paper has very high transmission, whereas a concrete floor has very low transmission.
Transmission is very important in a partition wall. By using sound-insulating glass, for example, you reduce the nuisance of outside noise. Insulating airborne sound is usually done with mass.
Every doubling of mass leads (in theory) to a 3dB reduction. This is why our heaviest sound insulating material EASYmass mass boards have a weight of 14 kg/m2.
Anti-drumming materials
Anti-drumming materials are suitable to reduce the diffusion of vibrations in steel, aluminium, polyester and other materials; mainly when there are relatively few enclosures and large surfaces. Because anti-drumming materials also have a high mass, they are also suitable as noise insulation.
There are various ways to de-drum a product. In shipping, de-thundering paste and sandwich de-thundering (mass spring) are commonly used. In car insulation and water hammers, EASYdemp is the most suitable de-drumming material.
Vibration damping
Vibration isolation is also a form of sound insulation material. This is often a structural solution. By isolating vibrations, you prevent sound from spreading further in the structure.
Examples of vibration isolation are pre-walls and floating floors (between floors and ceilings). In addition, there is a wide range of vibration dampers available on the market for machines, for example.
In which ways do I improve sound insulation?
Are you bothered by noise inside, from upstairs or from close neighbours? This is due to the partition wall or soundproofing ceiling.
The right solution for soundproofing the existing ceiling or wall strongly depends on the noise problem. We distinguish between two types of sound: impact noise and air noise.
Impact noise
Impact noise is the result of a vibration. This vibration can originate directly on the floor above. So through the floor. Walls can also transmit vibration. Examples of impact sound are footsteps on wooden floors and slamming doors.
Impact noise is best (and cheapest) dealt with at source. For footsteps, it is best to install a vibration-free floor. For noise pollution from your upstairs neighbours, it is better to insulate your upstairs floor than your ceiling.
A vibration-insulating and floating screed is also the best solution for subwoofers and, for example, a drum kit.
The floor and ceiling can both be addressed. Is a vibration-free floor not possible? You can then reduce noise by insulating the ceiling.
Soundproofing ceiling is best done with a suspended ceiling (false ceiling). You make such a sound-insulating ceiling with spring rails, EASYpol polyester wool and a finishing layer of plaster.
For the best soundproofing of a room, make a complete box-in-box. This is a very drastic solution, but the only way to achieve complete silence.
Air noise
Do you experience noise pollution from your neighbours' voices or television? In this case, we are talking about airborne sound. When airborne noise can be heard through a floor, it is usually caused by cracks in the floor.
Other weak spots in a floor are ventilation openings and heating pipes.
By closing as many gaps as possible, the sound-insulating floor can often be improved. If this is not sufficient, it is better to insulate the floor as a whole. For example, by using our EASYmass 14 kg/m2.
The soundproofing wall is another common problem. In this case, think about a pre-wall or cavity filling with flakes. Try to keep as much sound inside as possible. So avoid gaps under doors, for example.
What are sound insulation panels?
Sound insulation panels minimise noise from outside to inside and vice versa. These panels are there to stop noise in a transport vehicle, room and enclosure. Sound insulation panels have a high mass. This makes the panels heavy, which is important in stopping sound.
Acoustics
During the construction of a home, you may discover that too many hard materials are used. We can advise and help you with acoustics. For example, you can take measures on the ceiling.
Acoustic panels lead to better comfort in the room itself. However, these measures have little or no effect on transmission to other rooms.
Examples of acoustic solutions are our ceiling elements and acoustic wall panels. Many of these solutions are produced by us and have a very good price/quality ratio.
We are specialists in sound insulation and acoustics. Acoustic or soundproofing materials with an industrial application are mostly basic materials such as, for example, convoluted foam.
Any other questions?
Contact our specialist
If you want more information on sound insulation, please consult our specialist.
Ian den Hartoog
Acoustic specialist