There are many reasons why you may want to quiet the noise in your space. Maybe it is noise from outside that you want to prevent from getting into your space or you want to prevent the noise you are making inside your space from getting out. For whichever reason you want to do this, you will need a way to stop the noise either way.
One material that is effective in reducing noise is the acoustic foam panel. For more on these panels, see this article here. An acoustic foam panel is a soundproofing foam that is made of polyester. It works on the concept of reducing the amplitude of a sound by increasing air resistance. Some are also made of fiberglass, a very good material for soundproofing. Friction in the fiberglass dampens the sound and turns it into heat energy.
Acoustic foam panels are quite easy to install. They absorb different frequencies of noise, minimize reverberation, improve acoustics and prevent a level of sound from getting out of wherever they are used. They are a good fit for ceiling tiles, gun ranges, music studios, manufacturing facilities, utility rooms, etc.
Why You Need To Use Foam Panels
It does not exactly stop the noise. What it does is to absorb some of the noise. When sounds come in contact with the foam, some of it is absorbed and does not bounce back nor does it reverberate. Rather, it softens up the surface of the room and stops it from echoing. Just like a sponge soaks water, it soaks up the sound or noise around it. If you are using foam panels for the first time, you will notice a chemical odor. This is not harmful and will go away in no time.
They Reduce Noise Pollution
Foam insulation is one of the most common forms of isolation so they are good for soundproofing. It does not exactly stop the noise. What it does is to absorb some of the noise. When sounds come in contact with the foam, some of it is absorbed and does not bounce back nor does it reverberate. Rather, it softens up the surface of the room and stops it from echoing. Just like a sponge soaks water, it soaks up the sound or noise around it. If you are using foam panels for the first time, you will notice a chemical odor. This is not harmful and will go away in no time.
They Enhance Quality of Sound
Foam panels are tiles in pyramid or wedge shapes. Asides absorbing sounds, they also enhance sound quality in a room. They can also be regarded as a low-cost cold reduction material as they turn the sound energy in a room to heat and dissipate it. This is achieved by allowing air gaps between the panels and the wall.
They Improve the Design of a Room
As they are made from open-cell polyurethane, they help to provide good aesthetics and look in designing. They come in different varieties of colors and textures. They also come in different sizes and thickness and some even apply a contour effect to them. They can be attached anywhere in a room ranging from ceilings, walls, doors and so on.
Before buying or starting an installation, take a measurement of the walls where you will be installing them. There are several websites online where you can calculate the number of panels you will need. Decide on the overall arrangement of how it will look at the end. They have different patterns and you need to arrange them in a way to get an attractive overall design. Use tapes for marking the walls if needed to be sure of how you will arrange them.
In buying an acoustic foam panel, there are things you need to watch out for. These include:
- Surface Patterns
- Thickness
- Noise Reduction Coefficient (NRC) rating
- Dimension and size of the pack.
See this link https://soundproofpros.com/best-soundproof-foam-panels/ for further explanation.
If you are installing more than one panel, mount them on cardboards before mounting them on the wall. Apply the adhesive on the panel, place them on the cardboard then mount on the wall. Cut off the excess cardboards when the adhesive has dried out. When you are done with this, the next step is to attach the cardboard to your wall using command strips.
An advantage of using command strips is you can easily remove and replace the cardboard especially if you make a mistake. Using command strips is quite easy. Remove the adhesive behind the strips and paste on the wall by applying some pressure. Place the other part of the strip on the back of the cardboard. Finally, place the cardboard on the wall connecting the strips on the wall with the one on the cardboard. Apply pressure, and it will stick.
As foams are made with polyester and polyurethane, they are susceptible to fire. Because of this, they are treated with fire retardants. It is pertinent to be generally safety conscious. Also, if the panels are not properly placed, or a gap is not sealed, then they will not absorb sounds properly. They will bounce the sounds around which will lead to an echo. For this reason, it is best to hire professionals to do it.
