| Sound insulations are insulating materials that work to | | | | There are a few approaches to noise level reduction |
| reduce the noise that enters a room from outside the | | | | or noise absorption. A variety of materials can be used |
| home or from other rooms. These materials can be | | | | for either purpose. Noise reduction can be |
| installed during construction, or later as a home | | | | accomplished with the use of space between rooms. |
| improvement project. Products that are blown, such as | | | | The more space, the more room for sound waves to |
| foams, are easier to install in existing homes. | | | | dissipate. If you increase the distance between the |
| You can repair insufficiently insulated areas yourself, or | | | | source of the noise and the space, you will reduce the |
| hire a professional to do the job for you. Installing most | | | | noise that enters the space. |
| of these materials is a fairly easy DIY project for the | | | | The other method, noise absorption, is also referred to |
| skilled homeowner. Some home improvement stores | | | | as dampening. With this method, the sound waves are |
| offer weekend workshops to show you how. | | | | converted to heat within the insulation. This increases |
| How Sound Insulations Work | | | | energy efficiency, while reducing sound. It also |
| Sound is transmitted when vibrations move through the | | | | suppresses the echoes and reverberation of sound |
| air, floors, ceilings and walls. The sound waves move | | | | waves. |
| from one room to the other, or from the outside of the | | | | Materials for Sound Insulations |
| home to inside. This includes traffic noise or the sound | | | | Rock Wool Insulation is made of all natural materials, |
| of noisy neighbors. Insulation is a good sound absorber | | | | such as diabase or basalt. It is used for insulating the |
| and is effective at minimizing the noises entering a | | | | home and absorbing sound. There are other benefits |
| room. | | | | to this type of insulation. It is fire resistant and helps |
| Soundproofing consists of using a barrier of some sort | | | | control condensation. In addition, it is resistant to the |
| to prevent sound from entering the space that has | | | | growth of bacteria, mold and mildew. |
| been sound proofed. There are two basic ways to | | | | Mineral Wool Insulation is available in either batts or |
| achieve this reduction in sound: noise absorption and | | | | loose fill. The material is stiff and brittle. Mineral wool is |
| noise reduction. | | | | not only sound proof, but is fire resistant as well. |
| Approaches to Sound Insulations | | | | |