When it comes to treating sound problems at home, many homeowners turn to the internet and do a search for “sound blocking panels.” Unfortunately, the results of this type of search are often confusing. That is because the vast majority of acoustic products advertised as soundproofing materials fall into two distinct categories: sound absorption and sound blocking.
Sound-absorbing materials, such as acoustic panels and baffles, are fabric-wrapped fiberglass products that are designed to control echo and reverberation within a space. These types of acoustic products are commonly used in music studios, classrooms, offices and other commercial spaces where speech intelligibility is an issue.
Silencing Spaces: Exploring the Benefits of Sound Blocking Panels
The most important thing to understand about acoustic soundproofing is that it deals with the movement of sound waves. These are vibrations that travel through air and other mediums such as concrete, wood and drywall. All of these mediums have different properties that interact with sound waves, and each offers a unique set of challenges for soundproofing.
Most acoustic soundproofing products are designed to tackle airborne noises, which include voices, television sounds and other human-generated vibrations. These types of vibrations can be transmitted through walls, ceilings, and floors, causing reverberation within the room and reducing speech intelligibility.
Sound-blocking products are typically built into the wall, floor and ceiling structures themselves, and they block the movement of sound vibrations through those surfaces. They can also reduce the transmission of low-frequency noises that are created by machinery and other mechanical equipment.