Difference Between Soundproofing and Sound Absorption

Most people are familiar with the concept of soundproofing. That is, we understand the basic concept of minimizing the amount of sound that passes in and out. To accomplish this, we treat the walls, ceilings, doors, and windows with appropriate acoustic solutions.

However, there is a disconnect in the minds of many people when it comes to the proper materials for soundproofing. There is a difference between soundproofing materials and acoustical treatments, and comparing soundproofing vs sound absorption is what we will get into today.

Soundproofing vs Sound Absorption

Most people with little experience in the field of sound control immediately think of foam panels tacked to the walls when they think of soundproofing. It’s a natural assumption. Many people refer to these panels as soundproofing panels, and they do serve an important role in effectively soundproofing spaces. However, they are not standalone soundproofing products. Let’s take a brief look at what each of these concepts refers to, as well as how they work together to create better sounding spaces.

Soundproofing

True soundproofing is accomplished by treating barriers like walls, ceilings, and floors to stop the passage of sound from one side to the other. These treatments may involve things like adding mass and density, decoupling surfaces, filling gaps and cracks, and using sound damping materials in the construction of these barriers. Each of these steps is intended to reduce the amount of sound energy that can pass from one side to the other.

One important part of proper soundproofing is reducing the volume of the sound inside spaces, meaning there is less noise that must be kept at bay. This step gives our soundproofing materials less noise to compete with, and is accomplished through sound absorption.

Sound Absorption

Acoustically treating rooms with sound absorbing materials is a wonderful way of addressing acoustical issues like echo and reverberation. They trap and reduce the number of reflections in rooms full of solid surfaces and catch sound waves as they traverse the space through their porous, absorptive nature. Preventing reverberation is a huge part of reducing the overall volume in the space.

There are a number of materials that can be used as effective soundproofing and sound absorption options. The right ones come down to what you want to accomplish, the current state of the space, and ultimately, your budget.

Professional Soundproofing Solutions

We will begin with some professional soundproofing solutions that are effective at reducing vibrations and breaking their pathways, as well as bulking up walls, ceilings, and floors. Each product provides specific benefits and works in concert with others to form a complete soundproofing solution. So, how do you soundproof a room?

Wall Soundproofing Systems

Unless the room you are treating is underground, the walls will almost certainly need to be treated with appropriate soundproofing materials to keep inside and outside sounds where they belong. There are some simple to use materials that will give both interior and exterior walls a big boost when it comes to blocking sound.

Mass Loaded Vinyl

Mass loaded vinyl, or MLV, is a dense, flexible vinyl material regularly used to reduce sound transmission through walls, ceilings, and floors. They may be used in interior or exterior walls to add mass and volume to those barriers. This is a popular DIY soundproofing solution since MLV can easily be rolled out onto existing drywall and covered with a second drywall layer to add significant sound blocking ability.

Resilient Sound Isolation Clips

Resilient sound isolation clips are specialized hardware clips used to decouple drywall from the framing. These sound isolation systems are typically installed on the wall studs, providing a flexible connection between those studs and the drywall, which is attached directly to the clips. Using these clips in combination with mass loaded vinyl is a wonderful way to increase your walls’ soundproofing performance.

Soundproof Drywall and Panels

Choosing to install soundproof drywall in place of traditional drywall can help block a lot of sound. It is thicker and more dense than regular drywall, and may be made with a sound damping core. It may be heavier than standard drywall, however, so make sure the framing is capable of handling the added weight before installing.

Floor and Ceiling Soundproofing

A considerable amount of sound can also be transmitted through ceilings and floors. Treating them is a great way to provide separation between spaces, and in the case of multi-family dwellings, is often required. Let’s look at some floor and ceiling solutions that will deliver.

Underlayment Systems

One of the simplest solutions is the floor underlayment. Available in rubber, cork, foam, or other materials, underlayments are placed between the subfloor and the finished flooring. These materials deliver soundproofing ability, but also provide cushioning and a moisture barrier while helping to smooth out minor imperfections in the subfloor. This creates a more stable base for the finished flooring.

Resilient Channels or Clips

In the same way we use resilient channels to decouple surfaces in the walls, these products can be used in the ceiling for the same effect. Utilizing these channels or clips between the ceiling joists and the layers of drywall will prevent most footfalls and other noises produced upstairs from making their way into the level below.

Joist Tape

In order to reduce vibrations in your flooring system, joist tape is an excellent choice. It is a self-adhesive tape that’s applied to the floor joists before the subfloor is installed. It provides a cushion that absorbs impacts and helps minimize vibrations that would otherwise travel through the floor structure.

Soundproof Insulation

Installing soundproof acoustical insulation between your joists will also help block a lot of sound. Regular insulation is great at blocking hot and cold air from passing through floors and ceilings, but doesn’t do much for sound. Swapping it out with soundproof insulation will provide both benefits.

Windows and Doors

Windows and doors are two places prone to a lot of sound leakage, and as such, need to be treated in most soundproofing projects. Here are some effective ways to treat them if you want to minimize leakage.

Seal Gaps and Cracks

As a general rule of thumb, if air can pass through a gap, so can sound. If you’ve got gaps or cracks around your windows or doors, sealing them up will provide big benefits. Sealing gaps and cracks around windows and doors with an acoustical caulk will effectively and permanently block sound waves from passing through.

For doors, there are also gaps that cannot be permanently sealed. Specifically, we’re talking about the ones around the door, between the frame and the floor. A door seal kit with an automatic door sweep will ensure the door is well sealed when closed.

Use a Heavier Door

Another issue that could cause sound leakage is an insufficient door. Lightweight exterior doors and most interior doors are not substantial enough for soundproofing projects. Replacing them with heavier, more soundproof doors is a great way to block sound from passing through.

Get Better Windows

Likewise, old windows with single panes of glass are not equipped to block much sound. Replacing them with new, double or triple-glazed windows will add additional panes and air gaps that create more soundproof windows. If you can’t afford the high cost of new windows, installing window inserts is another way to add glass and gaps at a much lower price point.

Sound Absorption Solutions

Let’s now take a look at some sound absorption products that can significantly enhance the sound in any space. They will also allow your soundproofing solutions to work more efficiently, since those solutions will have less sound to block.

Wall Absorption Solutions

The most common place people install sound absorption solutions is on their walls. There are a lot of great products that can be used for these purposes, and they absorb many reflections at the height they are produced at.

Fabric Wrapped Acoustic Panels

One of the most popular wall absorption solutions on the market is the fabric-wrapped acoustic panel. They are incredible at absorbing sound, and can be printed or colored to match any interior decorating scheme or brand identity. Installing these attractive panels to cover the area between about 3 and 6 feet off the ground will absorb a good deal of speech waves, improving speech intelligibility and helping to protect privacy.

Diffuser Panels

While diffusers are not designed specifically to absorb sound waves, they play an integral part in acoustic treatment design. Diffusers redirect reflections so the space still sounds vibrant and active, but reduces the chances that those reflections will lead to acoustic issues like echo and reverb. Mixing them in will improve sound without deadening the acoustics.

Read More: Types of Sound Diffusers

Ceiling Absorption Solutions

Ceilings are another location that can create an appreciable amount of unwanted noise, so acoustically treating them is a good idea if you want to improve the sound. There is a wide range of products available to match any design scheme. Let’s look at a few.

Ceiling Clouds

Ceiling clouds are essentially suspended acoustic panels. They are available in a wide range of materials and finishes, and choosing the right ones can significantly improve the look and sound of the space. They are designed to catch waves as they travel across space, but are equally adept at blocking noise from overhead mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP) systems. Mix and match finish and suspension orientation to create eye-catching designs that will leave everyone talking.

Baffles

Acoustical baffles are another ceiling sound absorption option that delivers on the aesthetic front as well as the acoustic front. Baffles are made of parallel planks that are suspended horizontally on end, creating a linear look that adds visual length to any room. They also allow us to suspend speakers, lighting, and HVAC elements directly through them, leading to endless design possibilities. Whether you’re looking for a classic or contemporary acoustical ceiling solution, baffles deliver on multiple fronts.

Drop Ceiling Treatments

If a drop ceiling is your ideal style, there are a number of acoustical panels that can deliver the look you’re after and acoustical absorption to boot. Unlike clouds and baffles, drop ceilings provide complete coverage over the entire true floor, hiding the MEP systems overhead. This is a classic solution for a wide range of applications, including classroom and office noise reduction.

Portable Absorption Solution

Sometimes we need strategically placed sound absorption in areas that don’t include walls and ceilings. For these instances, we turn to portable sound absorption solutions.

Acoustical Curtains

Acoustical or soundproof curtains can be used anywhere we need a little sound absorption. Sure, this includes covering the windows, where acoustical curtains can be used to great effect, but they can also be used to divide rooms into individual areas for work or play.

Acoustical curtains are much heavier and denser than their traditional counterparts, allowing them to absorb errant sound waves and provide privacy wherever needed. They also work as excellent blackout curtains, so using them in the conference room keeps unwanted noise and light out during important presentations.

Free-Standing Acoustic Panels

Another acoustical treatment that can be placed wherever we need it is the free-standing acoustic panel. They are made of the same materials as wall and ceiling-mounted panels, but are affixed to mobile stands that can be moved and arranged to meet your changing needs.

Acoustic Room Dividers

If you need something more substantial to divide the room into individual areas, acoustic room dividers may be what you need. These mobile partitions both reduce noise and improve sound quality, making them the perfect solution for separating work stations and classrooms. They are available in various styles, colors, and sizes, making them customizable for your individual needs.

Portable Vocal Booths

For those recording songs or videos, crisp vocals are of the utmost importance to the final mix. Professionals use vocal booths for these types of recordings, but not all spaces are built to accommodate a vocal booth. A portable setup delivers all the studio soundproofing you need without getting into a large construction project.

Read More: How to Soundproof a Radio Broadcasting Studio

Get Help with Acoustic Design Services

Whether you are working on a residential or commercial sound control project, it is helpful to enlist the help of professionals. We can help you with identifying appropriate soundproofing vs sound absorption solutions, and make sure the products you choose are installed correctly.

The professionals at Acoustic Geometry have decades of combined experience in all kinds of noise reduction projects. Reach out for an acoustic consultation when you are ready to take control over the sound in your interior spaces.