How do you soundproof a wall with sound absorbers?

Soundproofing a wall with sound absorbers involves reducing sound reflections and reverberations to create a more pleasant and balanced sound environment. Hard surfaces such as concrete, glass, and plaster walls reflect sound, which can lead to an echoey and disturbing soundscape. By installing sound absorbers, you can effectively break up these reflections and make the room quieter and more pleasant to be in.

For best results, you should not focus solely on sound absorbing a single wall, but consider the acoustics of the entire room. A room functions as a whole, with sound bouncing between different surfaces. If you only soundproof one wall, sound waves can still be reflected from the ceiling, floor, or other walls, which means that the sound comfort is not improved to the desired extent. A more effective solution is to combine wall absorbers with ceiling absorbers, as the ceiling is often the largest free surface where sound spreads.

Sound absorbers work by converting sound energy into heat, thereby reducing reverberation. Choosing the right type of sound absorber is crucial, depending on the type of sound that needs to be dampened. To deal with mid- and high-frequency sounds, such as voices and sharp sound reflections, textile-covered absorbers or porous materials such as polyester and acoustic foam are effective. If the room suffers from low-frequency sound problems, such as dull bass sounds, thicker acoustic panels or specially adapted bass traps are required to deal with these frequencies.

The placement of sound absorbers plays a major role in how effective they are. In a room where speech intelligibility is important, such as a conference room, it is advantageous to place absorbers at ear level on the walls to dampen voices and prevent sound reflections. In environments with high ceilings, vertical sound absorbers or ceiling-mounted panels can be particularly effective. In open-plan offices, restaurants, and other environments where noise levels can easily become high, a combination of wall, ceiling, and freestanding absorbers may be the best solution.

In addition to improving acoustics, sound absorbers can also contribute to the aesthetics of a room. Fabric-covered absorbers are available in a variety of colors and patterns, making it possible to integrate them into the interior design and create a harmonious atmosphere. It is also possible to use sound-absorbing panels with printed motifs to combine function with design.

Soundproofing a wall or an entire room can have several advantages beyond an improved sound environment. More controlled acoustics can contribute to a better working environment and concentration in office settings, a more relaxed atmosphere in restaurants, and an improved sound experience in studios and home theater systems. In spaces where many people are present at the same time, effective sound absorption can also reduce stress and fatigue, as a noisy soundscape can be mentally exhausting.

Further down the page, we go through the best methods for sound-absorbing walls and create a guide on how to choose the right materials and placement to maximize sound absorption in your room. By understanding the acoustic needs of the room and combining the right materials and installation methods, you can create a sound environment that is both pleasant and functional.

Here are some advantages of installing sound absorbers on walls

Sound absorbersreducereverberation and dampen the sound level in a room. This is particularly useful in environments where there is a lot of background noise or where conversations and work need to be carried out in peace and quiet.

Better working environment
Reduced noise and less reverberation create a more pleasant working environment. This can help reduce stress and improve concentration for people working or studying in the room.

Better sound quality
Sound absorbers can improve sound quality by reducing unwanted echoes and distortions. This is particularly important in rooms where music or speech needs to be reproduced clearly, such as in conference rooms, meeting rooms, or auditoriums.

Increased privacy
By reducing sound transmission between rooms, sound absorbers can help create a more private and confidential working environment. This is particularly relevant in open-plan offices where several people share the same space.

Reduced noise
If the room is used for activities that generate a lot of noise, such as telephone conferences or mechanical operations, sound absorbers can help minimize noise and create a more productive working environment.

Energy and cost efficiency
By reducing reverberation and improving the sound environment, it may be less necessary to raise the sound level to drown out background noise. This can lead to energy savings and lower costs for sound insulation or sound treatment in the long term.

Aesthetic improvement
Sound absorbers can also be used as design elements to improve the aesthetics of a room. They come in a variety of shapes, colors, and materials, allowing them to be customized to match the room's interior design.

What should you consider when soundproofing a wall?

Soundproofing a wall involves reducing sound reflections and reverberations to create a more pleasant acoustic environment. To achieve the best results, it is important to carefully plan the placement of sound absorbers, adapt them to the conditions of the room, and ensure that a sufficiently large area is covered. By using the right strategy, you can effectively improve acoustics and reduce unwanted noise.

Strategic placement of sound absorbers
For sound absorbers to be as effective as possible, they should be mounted on at least two walls in the room. The optimal placement is in an "L" pattern, covering one long and one short wall. This reduces the risk of sound waves bouncing directly between opposite walls, which can create unbalanced acoustics and increased reverberation.

It is important to avoid installing sound absorbers on walls that are directly opposite each other. If sound absorbers are placed directly opposite each other, ineffective sound attenuation may occur, where sound can still bounce between the two surfaces. By following an "L" pattern or strategically distributing the absorbers around the room, you will achieve more balanced acoustics and better sound absorption.

If space is limited, you should place sound absorbers where there is room, but as close to the sound source as possible. By absorbing the sound waves early, before they have time to spread and reflect further into the room, you can achieve more effective sound attenuation.

Cover enough surface area for optimal effect
To achieve a noticeable improvement in acoustics, at least 20-30% of the room's wall surface should be covered with sound absorbers. The larger the surface area that absorbs sound, the better the overall sound environment will be.

In office environments where conversations and background noise can be disruptive, it is particularly important to place sound absorbers close to the workplace. A good starting point is to place one or more absorbers on the wall in front of the desk. If there is space, additional absorbers can be mounted on the short sides of the workplace or on the wall behind to capture reflective sound waves.

In larger rooms or spaces where sound reflections are a bigger problem, it may be necessary to add more sound absorbers to both walls and ceilings. Sound reflected off the ceiling can increase reverberation time, and using ceiling-mounted absorbers can create an even more controlled sound environment.

Effective sound absorption for a more comfortable sound environment
Sound absorbers play an important role in improving room acoustics by reducing reverberation time and lowering sound levels. Covering several surfaces in the room with sound-absorbing materials creates a more balanced sound environment where conversations and other sounds are not amplified by reflections.

If you still experience a high reverberation time despite installing sound absorbers on the walls, it may be necessary to supplement with additional measures. More absorbers on the ceiling or on more walls can help achieve the desired acoustic balance and create a more comfortable sound environment.

Soundproofing walls with sound absorbers is one of the most effective methods of improving the acoustics in a room. By placing absorbers on at least two walls and covering a sufficient area, sound reflections and reverberation time can be significantly reduced. With a well-thought-out strategy where the absorbers are placed close to the sound source and supplemented with additional sound-absorbing measures where necessary, you can create an optimal sound environment for both work and everyday life.

What should you consider before purchasing wall-mounted sound absorbers?

Choosing the right sound absorbers for walls is crucial for improving room acoustics and reducing unwanted sound reflections. To achieve the best results, it is important to analyze the sound problems in the room, choose the right type of absorbers, and place them strategically. By understanding how sound spreads and affects the environment, you can create a more pleasant soundscape and reduce disturbing noise levels.

Identify sound sources and sound problems
Before investing in sound absorbers, it is important to identify the sound sources you want to reduce. Sound can come from external sources, such as traffic, neighbors, or surrounding buildings, but it can also be internal sounds that are reflected in the room, such as from conversations, music, TV, or other electronic devices. By mapping where the sound originates and how it spreads, you can make more informed decisions about which surfaces need sound-absorbing materials.

Placement of sound absorbers
The placement of sound absorbers is crucial to their effectiveness. For the best possible sound attenuation, absorbers should be installed where sound reflections are most noticeable. Hard surfaces such as concrete, glass, and wood tend to reflect sound more than soft materials, making it especially important to place absorbers in areas where sound waves bounce.

A strategic placement is to install sound absorbers on at least two walls to break the movement of sound through the room. If sound bounces freely between two hard surfaces, it can create an imbalance in the acoustics, leading to increased reverberation time and amplified sound reflections. To optimize sound absorption, it can therefore be beneficial to place absorbers on the walls in an "L" pattern, covering one long and one short wall.

Choosing the right sound absorbers
There are several types of sound absorbers to choose from, and the choice depends on the type of sound you want to reduce. Acoustic panels are effective at dampening mid- and high-frequency sounds, making them suitable for office environments, meeting rooms, and home environments where conversation noise and echoes can be disruptive. Bass traps are specially designed to handle low-frequency sounds, making them ideal for recording studios or rooms where bass resonance is a problem. Sound-absorbing panels combine both aesthetics and function, making them a good choice for those who want a stylish solution that also improves acoustics.

Corner absorbers can be used to handle sound buildup in the corners of a room, where sound waves tend to accumulate and create amplified sound levels. By combining different types of absorbers, you can create a more balanced and effective sound environment.

Measure and adjust the sound environment
To gain a better understanding of how the sound changes in the room after installing sound absorbers, it may be a good idea to use a sound meter. By measuring sound levels both before and after installation, you will get a concrete idea of how well the absorbers work. If the reverberation is still high, more sound-absorbing surfaces or an adjustment of the placement may be necessary.

Determine the right number of sound absorbers
The number of sound absorbers needed depends on several factors, such as the size and shape of the room, the furniture, and the specific sound problems you want to address. There is no exact rule, but a good starting point is to cover 20-30% of the room's wall surface with sound-absorbing material.

If the sound problems are mainly due to high-frequency sounds, you may need more sound absorbers, while low-frequency sounds often require thicker and more specialized materials. The best way to find the optimal solution is to test different placements and adjust the number of absorbers as needed.

Investing in sound absorbers is a flexible process where you can start with a basic installation and then adjust as you go. If the sound environment still feels unbalanced, you can add more absorbers to the walls or ceiling to further improve the sound quality in the room.

Did you know that..

Did you know that sound absorbers on a wall do not necessarily stop sound from passing through it? Many people believe that thick absorbers act as sound insulation, but in fact they only dampen reverberation in the room. To effectively reduce the sound level on both sides of the wall, a combination of sound absorbers to handle reflections and mass-rich materials to block sound penetration is required. By also installing corner absorbers and using diagonally placed absorbers, you can break up sound waves even more effectively and create a quieter and more comfortable environment!