The 8 Best Acoustic Insulation Products On The Market, And Some DIY Sound Proofing Hacks!

Whether you’re wanting to soundproof your home theatre, deaden the sound of footsteps from upstairs or create a calm and conducive work environment – noise control matters. 

Acoustic insulation products are specially designed to help you stop the spread of noise and create quieter, more peaceful indoor environments. But with so many options on the market, it can be tricky to know what’s right for your project. 

We’ve put together this guide to help you navigate the choices and find an effective solution that works for your space. If you need further advice, speak to our insulation specialists at Pricewise Insulation. We’d be happy to help.

What Is Noise?

Before we dive into the types of acoustic insulation, it helps to understand the nature of noise and what you are trying to achieve. 

There are two types of noise categories; airborne and impact noise.

• Airborne Noise as the name suggests is sound that travels through the air. Every sound that you hear is airborne. Airborne sounds can originate from outside such as traffic, airplanes and dogs barking and from inside a space such as music and voices.
• Impact Noise is vibrations that are carried through an object, like footsteps or vibrations made from large appliances such as washer and dryer. When vibration sounds become airborne, we hear them. 

Because sound travels in different ways different tools may be required in soundproofing your space. Soundproofing materials will help prevent the transfer of noise from one room to another while sound absorbing materials will help stop noise from bouncing around a room. 

What To Use For Sound Insulation?

Two of the best solutions for noise management are acoustic insulation batts and acoustic insulation panels or boards.

1. Acoustic Insulation Batts – High density soundproofing insulation batts are designed to absorb and reduce the transfer of noise between rooms and from external noise sources. They can be installed inside the wall, ceiling and floor cavities of a building during the construction or renovation phase.
   
   Acoustic batts also have thermal insulation properties as indicated by their assigned R-Value. The higher the R-value the greater the insulating ability.The density of an insulation product refers to how compact the insulation is. The higher the density the greater the sound absorbing capabilities. Read our guide on sound insulation vs thermal insulation for more information.
   
   
2. Acoustic Insulation Panels/Boards – Interior acoustic products are designed to be installed inside commercial and residential spaces to improve their acoustic quality. Not only will they reduce the echo effect in open rooms, they’ll also improve the quality of important sounds.
   
   There are many different types of interior acoustic insulation solutions that can be installed after a building has been constructed without opening up wall or ceiling cavities.

Best Acoustic Insulation Batts In Australia

1. Knauf Earthwool Sound Shield – one of our most popular products, Knauf Earthwool Insulation is made from up to 80% recycled glass materials with a renewable bio-based binder.
   
   
2. Fletcher Pink Soundbreak Batts – these Australian-made glasswool batts are manufactured from up to 80% recycled glass and come with a homeowner lifetime warranty.
   
   
3. Bradford SoundScreen Insulation – a great choice for homes of people with asthma or allergies, these polyester insulation batts are low allergenic and come with a 70 year product warranty.
   
   
4. Bradford Polymax Acoustic Insulation – made in Australia from at least 80% recycled plastic materials, these batts are non-irritant, non-toxic and safe to handle.

Best Acoustic Panels/Boards in Australia

1. Autex Quietspace Composition Peel ‘n’ Stick Tiles – this decorative wall lining will help reduce reverberated noise and create acoustic balance for indoor spaces.
   

2. Autex Symphony Acoustic Insulation – a luxe wall covering that can be installed like wallpaper to reduce noise inside commercial and school settings.
   

3. Autex Quietspace 3D Tiles – felted polyester tiles that can be easily installed on walls or ceilings of commercial spaces to create the right acoustic balance.
   

4. Autex Etch Acoustic Insulation – high performing sound absorbing panels that can be placed strategically around a room to control noise levels and acoustic quality.

Other Ways to Reduce Noise Levels

Using acoustic insulation is not the only way to reduce noise levels within your home or commercial space. You may also consider the following:

• Using floor coverings such as carpet with an underlay – these softer materials help absorb noise.
• Installing double glazed windows as an effective way of blocking external noise.
• Using curtains over windows can also assist in sound absorption.
• Having solid internal doors can help seal door frames and keep noise within the room.

Unwanted noise can heighten stress levels, reduce productivity and even cause sleepless nights. Investing in good quality acoustic insulation can make all the difference.