Do I need Soundproofing or absorption? When it comes to controlling sound, there are two main types of problems - and two main solutions.
The first question that needs answering is: Are you wanting to stop sound entering/leaving the room in which it is being produced - or is the space in which the sound being produced too loud/reverberant/"echoey", or a mixture of both?
Preventing sound from leaving/entering a room is a soundproofing issue and requires very different products to when the room itself is too loud and "echoey" - for this we need absorption products.
Many rooms, such as recording studios, meeting rooms, police interview rooms and anywhere the users want privacy, want a mixture of both soundproofing and absorption.
Soundproofing or absorption
Once you have decided which type of product you need, there are different product options available depending on the type of room, budget and issue.
Absorption
- Usually a non-invasive process. Can be used as part of decorations and furniture or installed discretely according to taste and available space
- Can be applied to walls, ceilings, floors or be free-standing
- Available in a large range of brands, designs, colours, finishes and price ranges
- Acoustic absorption products absorb sound within the room, reducing the number of reflections the sound makes. This reduces the reverb time, perceived volume and creates a quieter, happier workplace. Different products absorb different amounts of sounds and can be more/less effective at different frequency ranges.
- A range of products is usually advisable with an evenly distributed installation to ensure maximum absorption
Soundproofing
- Usually requires invasive, non-reversible treatment to walls, ceilings and/or floors
- Is heavy, bulky and usually not intended to be used as the final finish, and therefore does not look aesthetically pleasing
- Is applied inside walls, under carpets, flooring or between floors/inside ceilings
- Being dense, sound is unable to penetrate the barrier created through installation of soundproofing products, stopping it being transferred between rooms
- Using air gaps with soundproofing products is often highly effective
For more information on either soundproofing or acoustic products, do not hesitate to get in touch with our in-house acoustics team who will be happy to help and advise