Best Acoustic Insulation Materials: Soundproofing Tips

Soundproofing materials stop noise from traveling through walls, ceilings, floors, doors, and windows. Incorporating acoustic insulation into your commercial building or facility enhances comfort and productivity by reducing unwanted disturbances.

In this blog, we discuss the benefits of commercial soundproofing and the different types of insulation and materials you can choose from to help soundproof your commercial buildings.

Benefits of Commercial Soundproofing

There are various benefits of commercial soundproofing, including:

• Enhanced productivity and focus: Constant noise can distract and interrupt concentration. Acoustic insulation creates a quieter work environment that allows employees to focus better.
• Improved collaboration: Less noise pollution facilitates communication between team members, while soundproofing can create private areas for confidential conversations.
• Increased well-being and stress reduction: Studies show chronic noise exposure can lead to stress, fatigue, and hearing issues. Soundproofing helps create a calmer and healthier workplace.
• Customer satisfaction: A pleasant acoustic environment enhances the customer experience and contributes to a more positive brand image in customer-facing environments like restaurants and retail stores.
• Regulatory compliance: Many districts or regions have noise-level regulations. Acoustic insulation ensures adherence and helps businesses avoid penalties and fines.

Whether you need soundproofing solutions for a new construction project or want to retrofit an existing structure, Sur-Seal can help you select the proper acoustic insulation material for your application. Explore your options for creating a quieter, more efficient environment with one of our team members today.

Different Types of Soundproofing Materials

There are many soundproofing materials available, with each offering unique benefits. The one you choose depends on your building’s structure and the noise reduction you’re looking for. Sur-Seal offers various acoustic insulation materials for diverse applications, including:

• Closed-cell foam: Typically installed in walls, floors, and ceilings, closed-cell foam is a dense, rigid material that effectively blocks sound transmission by creating a solid barrier that prevents air and sound waves from passing through.
• Crushed foam: Made of compressed foam particles that provide excellent sound absorption, this material is particularly effective at dampening low-frequency sounds and vibrations. It’s a popular choice in industrial and automotive applications.
• Open-cell foam: This material’s porous structure allows sound waves to enter and dissipate. It is a highly effective solution for absorbing mid to high-frequency sounds and echoes, such as in recording studios and offices.
• Sponge rubber: Open-cell and closed-cell sponge rubbers are used in soundproofing but have different absorption properties. Open-cell is suitable for echo reduction, while closed-cell is better for blocking sound transmission.

From acoustic sound barriers to custom-cut foam solutions, Sur-Seal has the ideal noise insulation product solution for your needs.

Choosing the Right Material for Your Commercial Building

When soundproofing a commercial building, choosing a suitable material depends on the specific industry and application needs. For instance:

• Closed-cell foam is ideal for healthcare and electrical sealing due to its high density.
• Crushed foam is suitable for industrial buildings and aerospace, as it effectively dampens low-frequency sounds and vibrations.
• Open-cell foam is an excellent solution for offices and healthcare settings because it reduces echoes and reverberations while enhancing speech clarity.
• Open and closed sponge rubbers are popular for solar and electrical sealing applications, providing south absorption and durability.

Sound Ratings: Explained

The Sound Absorption Average (SAA) rating indicates various acoustical materials’ average sound absorption performance. The 12 one-third octave bands used for SAA measurement typically include center frequencies spanning 200 Hz to 2500 Hz. They cover a range of audible frequencies and can help you determine how well a material will reduce noise and reverberation in the area you want to soundproof. For instance, materials with high SAA ratings help reduce machinery noise and improve working conditions in industrial settings.

A material’s Sound Transmission Class (STC) rating indicates how much sound a material can block. A similar but slightly different rating, the Noise Reduction Coefficient (NRC), tells you how well an acoustical product absorbs mid-range sound like human speech and office noise.

Soundproof Your Building With Sur-Seal Today

Noise is a fact of life, but you can take steps to control it. Soundproof acoustic insulation from Sur-Seal protects your commercial building or facility against unwanted noise while creating a more peaceful indoor space. For over 80 years, we’ve helped customers solve their soundproofing challenges, giving them peace of mind and quiet comfort.

Contact the Sur-Seal team today for more soundproofing tips or to request a quote.