Peter Leathard

Most Effective Soundproofing Materials

Find The Best and Most Effective Soundproofing Materials

Table of Contents

Is the noise from your neighbours keeping you awake at night, or do you work from home and find it difficult to focus due to the noises outside your door? Do you value peace and wish your house was more peaceful, or do you have a loud activity or profession and do not want to bother others?

If you answered "Yes!" at least once while reading these questions, you should know that practical solutions to your issues exist. So rather than becoming irritated, have a look at our list of the finest soundproofing materials to see whether they may help you block noise from entering or exiting a room.

What exactly is soundproofing material?

Before getting further into the subject, you should be familiar with the fundamentals of soundproofing materials. For instance, what they are, how they function, and how successful they may be. To comprehend how soundproofing materials function, we must first comprehend sound.

Consider a sound to be a kind of energy, the energy produced as a consequence of objects vibrating. That energy needs to go someplace; it moves away from its source, vibrating things and the air around us in the process. The energy then travels to our ears, where it vibrates, and we can detect the sound in our brain.

As a result, a sound begins at its source, travels via various mediums, and eventually reaches our ears and activates our brains. Thus, if we wish to halt the sound anywhere along its path, we must break the chain of events.

Soundproofing is any method of decreasing sound pressure with a particular sound source and its receiver; soundproofing would be impossible without soundproofing materials.

Noise reduction properties are claimed for several building materials. However, you must choose the appropriate one based on the various transmission modes and noise frequencies. In addition, the location of the soundproofing has a significant influence on the material selection.

Sound Absorbing Vs. Soundproofing Materials

A frequent misunderstanding is that sound absorption and soundproofing are the same thing. Absorption is, in fact, one of the components of soundproofing. The primary distinction between a sound-absorbing substance and a soundproofing material is that the former enhances the space’s acoustics. At the same time, the latter stops the sound from entering or leaving the room.

Sound absorbing materials decrease reverberations and echo previously existing noises in the space; they cannot prevent sounds from entering or leaving the area. As a result, good sound-absorbing materials may be ineffective for soundproofing.

However, if you want full sound isolation, you should mix these two kinds of materials; they complement each other well. However, if you do not mind the repercussions and your main issue is noise, stick to soundproofing.

Four Soundproofing Principles

Soundproofing may seem to be a difficult subject. But, unfortunately, there is a lot of misinformation out there that confuses us and individuals who pretend to be experts but aren't.

Based on the mechanics of sound propagation, there are just four soundproofing concepts.

These concepts, when combined with soundproofing methods and materials, are more than sufficient for effective soundproofing.

MassFour Soundproofing Principles

All hefty and thick solid items will block sound. People bothered by airborne noises, such as voices, find this method to be the most effective. If you want to experiment with this concept, you may simply utilize the furniture to add bulk to the walls. Mass-Loaded Vinyl may also be installed under or over drywall. When it comes to impact noise, though, the mass concept is not particularly helpful.

Damping

Damping is accomplished via the use of damping chemicals. These chemicals possess a unique characteristic that enables them to transform sound energy into heat, causing the sound to cease abruptly. Green Glue is an excellent example of a damping substance, but silicone caulk has comparable characteristics.

The damping compound must be placed between two rigid panels, such as drywall or plywood, and then screwed together to function. As a result, when sound enters the system, shearing forces between the stiff panels produce friction in the dampening layer, turning the sound energy into heat.

Damping is the most efficient way to cope with low-frequency noise.

Decoupling

When sound travels through a building's structure, it is preferable to utilize decoupling. Interrupting sound vibrations becomes considerably simpler when gaps are created in specific sections of the structure.

 

It is preferable to use decoupling during construction. Although it is possible to do so later, it would be considerably more difficult since existing walls, floors, or ceilings would have to be removed.

If you are searching for a soundproofing material that is best for decoupling your drywall from the structure of the building, robust channels are a good option. They are extremely good at dealing with low frequencies and even noise since noises end up vibrating ineffectively against the channels rather than penetrating through walls.

Decoupling, despite its effectiveness, requires forethought and expert installation.

Absorption

Finally, as already stated, there is absorption. Although it contributes to soundproofing, its impact is not nearly as strong as the preceding three concepts. However, if you want to get the greatest outcomes, you should think about it as well.

You have probably heard about the most absorbent soundproofing materials. Of course, I am referring to acoustic foam. It comes in various forms, sizes, and colours, but it is important to remember that it is more helpful for enhancing audio quality within a space than for suppressing sound. Soft furniture, in addition to acoustic foam, may be helpful for sound absorption.

These four concepts operate separately, yet they also complement one another. So, if you have tried one technique and are still unhappy with the noise reduction, consider trying another. The combination of these factors will provide the greatest outcomes.

Best Soundproofing Materials and Products

  • Mass Loaded Vinyl
  • Acoustic Mineral Wool Insulation
  • Green Glue Soundproofing Compound
  • Resilient Sound Channels
  • Soundproof Drywall
  • Acoustic Caulk, Sealant
  • Soundproof Foam Panels
  • Soundproof Curtains
  • Soundproof Room Divider Curtains
  • Soundproofing Window Film
  • Weatherstripping
  • Door Seal and Sweeps
  • Soundproof Wallpaper and Paint

Final Thoughts on Soundproofing Materials

I hope you liked reading my list of the majority of the soundproofing materials you will ever need. You can fully soundproof your house from the beginning to the conclusion of the list. Alternatively, you may limit your search to those that will address the particular issues you are attempting to solve.

Finally, my aim here was to start you thinking about whether you are content with the present amount of noise in your house, workplace, or wherever. Why put up with noise when you can prevent it by using the finest soundproofing materials and products?

Soundproofing Your Home

Soundproofing Your Home To Keep The Noise Out

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In Western Canada, noise pollution has become a significant issue. Congestion and traffic noise are growing in Western Canadian cities, from the urban center to the suburbs. Getting out to the suburbs is not an option since traffic noise is everywhere. This loudness is causing many restless nights. Many of us are under a lot of needless stress as a result of this.

There is a lot of noise in a large city, such as Calgary. Even in a big city like Vancouver, Saskatoon, Edmonton, and Winnipeg, your house should be your refuge, even if you live in a city. There is just one problem: several large city apartment complexes and condominiums in Western Canada aren't soundproof.

Noise may flow through a building due to shared walls and ceilings — both airborne and structure-borne noise, as well as noise from surrounding routes. Developers seldom create noise-impenetrable barriers in today's fast-paced development.

There are several ways to get some peace and quiet

The first step is to separate your ceiling joists from your drywall. You may isolate the floor and ceiling with our sound isolation clip, then route a resilient channel. You may either choose to install your new drop ceiling with our isolation hangers which enable a loose, hanging connection between the ceiling joists and your new ceiling. You could choose to install your new ceiling with the hanging hooks we provide. In both cases, we suggest installing l safe and sound insulation in your walls/ceilings to improve soundproofing and heat retention.

If the noise is mostly coming from the walls, you may decouple them, which means mechanically separating two adjacent walls to make it more difficult for sound to travel through. Again, clips can accomplish this, but better results will be obtained by combining the clips with two layers of drywall with soundproofing damping compound in between and a layer of our mass loaded viny), this helps with lower frequencies such as bass from a subwoofer or deeper voices.

The Soundproof WindowsSoundproof Windows

Our Soundproof Windows, which are placed in front of or behind your current window and reduce sound by 75-90 percent, is one of our best-selling items. We have the windows tailored to suit your existing window, so it does not take away any of the functionality your current window has. Whether it slides side to side, up and down, or pushes outwards, we make sure you can still open the window when required.

The most common complaint we get regarding soundproofing, or rather its lack thereof, is from "footfall" or "impact" sounds, particularly from customers who live in multi-family structures such as a condo or townhouse. The only method to reduce impact noise is to install a sound control floor underlayment underneath your existing carpet, tile, or hardwood floors. The underlayments we offer come in a variety of IIC ratings and thicknesses, so be sure to consult with a Hush City Soundproofing product expert before selecting the right sound control floor underlayment.

The best way to avoid flanking noise is to keep your pipes and/or ducts clean. Most frequently, we utilize our Anti-Vibe Liquid Damping Paste. It is a simple to use solution that you can apply to your pipes and vents with a sprayer or roller. It minimizes the noise transmitted from vibrating surfaces, such as pipes and flooring, to another room or level.

Other, less intrusive alternatives include putting two layers of drywall with damping compound in between, as well as installing our Decorative Acoustic Panels, which are specially intended to absorb noise. Any soft, pliable furniture or images placed on the wall will absorb part of the sound, but only to a limited degree.

With hundreds of options to select from at Hush City Soundproofing, whichever method you choose to soundproof your apartment or condo, make sure it's appropriately done - doing so ensures you will accomplish your objective of peace.

a woman playing audio mixer after soundproofing her windows

3 Times Soundproofing Becomes Necessary

Noisy environments can negatively impact your quality of life, mental wellbeing, and physical health. With uninterruptible noise pollution and working from home on the rise, developers, building owners, and architects understand the significance of soundproofing. In fact, improving acoustic performance in buildings has made it to their priority list.Let’s look at three times getting soundproofing services becomes necessary.

1. You want to ensure better health and safety

It’s reported that people exposed to loud, prolonged sounds may put themselves at risk of heart disease.

Does noise really have such harmful effects? Absolutely. If you’re continuously exposed to loud or persistent noise, your body reacts to that stress and goes into defensive mode. All stress put on your body system affects your internal organs and that includes your heart. You can also suffer from increased , insomnia and other sleep disturbances.

It’s reported that road traffic contributes to 40% of the common noises heard and easily exceeds 55 decibels. Since 30% of it is heard during the night, you won’t be able to get a good night’s sleep.

Additionally, with increased exposure to loud noises, you can also slowly develop hearing impairment—this can lead to other issues that may impact your life negatively in the long run.

With soundproofing, you can reduce the chance of hearing issues by reducing these negative noises. This will improve the quality of life.

2. You want more privacy

Whether you’re working from home or your children are studying, having a study room in the place is crucial. This room should be quiet so that people can actually work peacefully without compromising their productivity.

Plus, if you have a gaming room, music room, or a home gym, this room will block all the noise coming from other rooms.

In addition, your neighbors wouldn’t complain too because sounds from your house won’t reach them.

3. You want to increase your focus

You focus well in quiet places. By soundproofing your room, you will’ll create a home office space or home study where you can’ll work comfortably.

So, if you want your children to study in a quiet place or if you’re working from home, soundproofing your room becomes essential.

Get Hush City Soundproofing’s soundproofing products and services and enjoy greater productivity, lesser distractions, and better acoustics

Hush City Soundproofing is a qualified soundproofing expert. They’ll assess the issues, recommend, offer, and install the soundproofing products and materials needed to resolve your problem.Contact them now for more information!

a man works happily in his home office after installing soundproofing windows

3 Benefits of Soundproofing Your Home Office

For many freelancers, having a home office set up is enough. But they usually miss one of the most important things: soundproofing.

Soundproofing doesn’t just offer peace of mind but can be mandatory to your comfort if you’re working from home. Of course, working from home leads to a lot of distractions, for example, the racket from your neighbors, outdoor noise, constant flow of conversion in your home, etc. However, there’s one way to shut out all these distractions—and that’s soundproofing.

Learn how soundproofing your office can increase the quality of your life.

1. Offers privacy

If you soundproof your home office properly, you’ll not just eliminate echoes but increase the privacy of the rooms considerably. This can benefit every individual living in your house. For example, other people will be able to talk freely become nobody will overhear their conversations.

In addition, if you have to wake up early to get some work done, the sound of a running shower or the alarm clock wouldn’t disturb anyone except you. Thanks to soundproofed walls, everyone will operate on their own terms.

2. Sound Quality

Voice and sound quality is probably the most obvious benefit of soundproofing your home office. With acoustic treatments in your home office, you will be able to reduce the reverberation or echo inside the room.

This noise reduction is important for a home office, especially if you’re hosting speaking conferences or operating a recording studio.

a man works happily in his home office after installing soundproofing windows

3. Improves your home’s resale value

With a soundproof home office, you’ll improve the resale value of your home by leaps and bounds. Similar to every quality renovation, ensure the amount you put into soundproofing your home office offers a good return when, and if, you decide to sell your home down the line.

Hush City Soundproofing’s residential, commercial, and industrial soundproofing services are designed to offer you peace

Hush City Soundproofing is Canada’s leading supplier of soundproofing walls, ceilings, and floors. They supply soundproofing products and materials to help residential and commercial clients restore quiet and peace in their homes or at work.Get in touch with them to know more!

A living room with a soundproof ceiling to reduce noise

Saying Goodbye to Noisy Neighbours: Soundproofing Ceilings 101

If you live in a home where someone’s floor is your ceiling, you might feel like achieving peace and quiet is an impossible feat with all the footsteps, television noise, loud conversations and more.

Noise disturbance can negatively impact workflow and productivity. If noisy neighbours are disrupting your daily routine, the solution is to soundproof your ceiling.

Here’s everything you need to know about soundproofing ceilings.

Airborne and Impact Noises

You need to soundproof your ceiling against two different types of noises: airborne and impact noise. Airborne noise is due to sound waves that travel through the air, such as music, TV, conversations, bass, a dog barking, a baby crying etc.

When traveling through the air, these sound waves collide with a solid object such as a floor or ceiling. The collision distributes sound waves through the solid material into your bedroom, your living room, your office etc.

Impact noise on the other hand is caused by sound waves that travel through structures such as your ceiling. Hence, if someone drops a plate or walks on the floor while wearing heels, you can hear those impact noises as vibrations.

Drywall Ceiling Vs Dropped or Suspended Ceiling

There are two main types of ceilings: drywall and dropped or suspended ceiling. A drywall ceiling is made of gypsum wrapped in thick paper sheets. Drywall is also sometimes called plasterboard and sheetrock. The drywall ceilings are not dense enough to absorb or dampen sounds.

Dropped ceilings are secondary ceilings that are suspended from the original ceiling above them. These ceilings provide a measure of soundproofing as they decouple or create a space between your apartment and the apartment above you.

A living room with ceiling and lighting

Soundproofing Ceilings

To soundproof a drywall ceiling, you can install an additional layer of drywall to your existing ceiling to absorb noise and minimize sound transmission. You can also use fibreglass to add an extra layer of insulation.

Another option for soundproofing ceilings is installing acoustic tiles, which are useful for both drywall and dropped suspended ceilings. They’re made of fibreglass and contain a layer of mass loaded vinyl or sound-disrupting foil.

You can also install acoustic panels to your ceilings using construction adhesive, which will secure them into place and provide effective soundproofing. Lastly, acoustic foam is also an economical solution for soundproofing ceilings and works in the same way as acoustic tiles. Installing soundproofing products on your ceiling can be a tiring and exhausting job. It’s better to call soundproofing experts who offer soundproofing installation services. At Hush City Soundproofing, we use premium quality materials to soundproof ceilings. Contact us today and say goodbye to noisy neighbours with our h

A kid reading a book in their soundproof bedroom

5 Ways to Soundproof Your Kid’s Bedroom

Soundproofing your children’s bedroom is not only an effective way to keep the neighbourhood commotion out, but it can also help you contain the noise your children make. Kids in their growing years can be quite loud, especially when they own cacophonous or noisy toys. Having a soundproofing layer between their rooms and the world outside can benefit everyone.

Here are some helpful tips to soundproof your kid’s bedroom thoroughly:

Start with the windows

Major openings like windows and doors allow a significant amount of noise to enter in and out of your kid’s bedroom. Double window glazing is a cost-effective way to create optimal noise reduction and keep indoors warm and comfortable. If you want to reduce noise pollution and keep your home energy-efficient, don’t skip window soundproofing installation and start by investing in this two-way thermal and sound insulation.

Retrofit the doors

You may be tempted to skip the door soundproofing installation to save a few bucks. However, this may turn out to be the most expensive mistake you’ll make while soundproofing your child’s bedroom. Sound can travel through the small opening under and above the doors and release up to 60% of sound in or out of the room. The quality of your door material also impacts sound reduction.

Invest in a sound-isolated door or at least a solid core door with a automatic drop down door bottom and door seal attached to stop the noise from travelling indoors. Contact us for additional ideas to help reduce sound through your doors.

A kid playing with their toys on the bed

Move to the walls

A great deal of noise travels through walls. And if your kid’s bedroom walls are hollow, you can hear noise clearly at all times. Protect the bedroom, or the areas of the house affected by the bedroom by investing in a wall assembly designed to reduce or practically eliminate sound transfer through the wall. There are variations that work for every budget and requirement. Browse through our soundproofing products collection to find the most suitable one.

Finish with the flooring

If you live in an apartment, you may already know that noise can travel through the floor and enter your living space. Consider buying the highest-grade soundproofing equipment for floors and ceilings from our online shop if you don’t want to invest in allergen-laden fluffy carpets.

At Hush City Soundproofing, we provide residential and commercial soundproofing products and provide professional installations. If you’re looking for soundproofing experts in Western Canada connect with us today.

Employees working in an open floor office

The Link between Office Acoustics and Creativity: All You Need to Know

In today’s world, creativity and innovation are crucial to ensure a thriving and progressive business. Companies spend a fortune on building office spaces designed to bring their people together and represent their brand identity. As a result, modern office designs and layout concepts such as open floor plans, podcast studios, communal work areas, and hot desks are quickly gaining popularity.

The atmosphere created by these elements makes work areas more interactive, and employees feel more comfortable while utilizing the office space to its full potential. However, bigger and more interactive spaces mean more noise. And science says this noise may not be so good for your big business plans. Here’s why:

Effects of noise on creative tasks

In an extensive study published in the Journal of Consumer Research, researchers carried out various exercises to test open-mindedness and ideational fluency. A soundtrack varying between different frequencies of 50, 70 and 85 decibels played in the background while subjects were asked to perform some challenging tasks.

A control group was asked to perform the same activities but without the disturbance of any background noise. Results showed that participants who were exposed to high-level noise couldn’t carry out the challenges efficiently, while those who worked under a mid-level noise performed the best. This proves that your office acoustics directly impact employee creativity.

The problem with offices

It’s clear that an ideal level of background noise is crucial in achieving optimal productivity at your workplace. But how can you ensure that the noise doesn’t exceed 70 decibels? Bigger offices mean noisier environments, and controlling this commotion is quite challenging, to say the least.

Often, your office acoustics are the culprits in enhancing the indoor noise. Shiny surfaces and epoxy flooring can reflect sound waves leading to an uncomfortable environment.

A soundproof office

What’s the solution?

If you want to manage your office acoustics cost-effectively, consider investing in long-lasting and high-quality soundproofing services. The cutting-edge technology of recently found soundproofing products adds to your office’s sleek and stylish appeal, delivering ultimate style innovation.

At Hush City Soundproofing, we offer floor, ceiling, and wall soundproofing services to help you maintain a creative and productive work environment. Invest in your office design and acoustics today to positively impact your productivity.

Reach out to us at 1-855-526-2615 or drop us a query here. Our experts will get back to you ASAP!

Workers working efficiently in a soundproof warehouse

The Importance of Soundproofing Your Warehouse

Clear communication is crucial to get any job done in warehouses and factory floors. The workings of heavy machinery and commotion can make effective communication difficult. Over time this situation can also become dangerous, leading to severe hazards in the workplace. One effective way to ensure productivity at your warehouse is soundproofing it to provide an optimal work environment. Here’s why soundproofing your warehouse is important:

It protects your team

There’s no denying that warehouses are noisy places. Due to the nature of the work done in these spaces, you can expect distracting sounds at all times. These sounds can negatively affect the coordination between team members on the ground, leading to workplace accidents.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) reports that loud noises can make it difficult for workers to hear warning signs and lead to workplace hazards.

However, managing this commotion isn’t that challenging a task. Pay some attention to your warehouse’s acoustics and ensure that all the sonically reflective surfaces are covered with sound reduction and absorption material. These steps can improve your workplace safety, keeping your workers safe today and in the future.

It ensures overall productivity

If your warehouse is like many other warehouses in the country, it’s most likely connected to the office building. This means that if your warehouse isn’t soundproof, all the noise can travel to your corporate office, disturbing your employees’ peaceful workflow.

Soundproofing your warehouse ceiling, walls, floor, and the office floor above can lead to a quieter and more peaceful work environment. This way, your administrative team can retain their focus without distractions and carry out their duties efficiently.

Heavy machinery being moved in a warehouse

It shields your reputation

Whether your business is located in a commercial area or near a residential neighbourhood, the constant noise eliminating from your warehouse can cause a disturbance in your surroundings. In the age of social media, regular complaints from the people working or living nearby can harm your reputation, driving clients away from your business.

Outdoor soundproofing of Compressors, Pumps and HVAC units can go a long way in building your brand identity as a responsible business that values its community’s comfort.

Work with the best in the field

If you’re looking for soundproofing experts to reduce the commotion at your warehouse, reach out to us. At Hush City Soundproofing, we provide the highest-quality and most effective commercial and residential soundproofing services. Connect with us to learn more about our soundproofing installation services today.

A soundproof hotel room

What Can Hotel Soundproofing Do for Your Business?

Noise is of the most frequent complaints hotel guests have about their stay. Whether it’s noise from the next room, loud thuds from the floor above, or cleaning staff in the morning, hotels are lively places with many people talking and moving around all day long. If your guests have been complaining about the noise coming to their room, it’s time you consider effective ways to reduce it, or else you may drive away potential customers. Here’s how soundproofing your hotel can increase your business:

A superior experience for the guests

Loud noises disturbing them at all times can ruin your guests’ comfort and make it difficult to get some peaceful sleep. People traveling from different areas are looking for a pleasant environment at your hotel. As their host, you must ensure that the disturbing noise outside doesn’t penetrate their rooms.

Soundproofing hotel room ceilings, walls, and the floor is an effective way to ensure all the loud noise gets absorbed in the soundproofing material, creating the perfect indoor environment for your guests. This enhances the customer experience leading to more satisfied customers.

Reduced energy costs

Research shows that a significant amount of noise travels to hotel rooms through window openings. Laminating windows in your hotel room are crucial in ensuring noise reduction. But processes like window glazing have more benefits than noise-canceling; it helps in thermal insulation, ensuring no heat travels in or out of your hotel rooms.

This leads to energy conservation, saving your costs, and adding to your revenue. Hence, soundproofing your hotel rooms is a one-time investment that can offer long-term returns.

A well-furnished hotel room

Better reputation

Any business needs a good standing in the industry to be successful. If your peers respect you for your commitment to excellence and your guests swear by your dedication to the highest quality services, you can rest assured that your hotel will do wonders in the long run.

Soundproofing is one of the many testaments of detail to the attention you can provide to your customers as an example of your world-class services. Once people start recognizing you for your efforts, you can expect more business and expansion.

Soundproof your hotel rooms today

At Hush City Soundproofing, we provide outstanding soundproofing installation services at unmatched rates. Get your roofs, walls, ceilings, and floors soundproofed today! Connect with our friendly customer service for more information.