3 Materials for Sound Mats

Installing a sound mat in your home or office can help dampen outside noise, creating a peaceful and comfortable indoor environment. Sound mats minimize the transmission of noises or sounds between structures like floors, walls, and ceilings. Understanding the materials used to make soundproof mats can help you find a mat with the right properties to suit your acoustic needs. Here are three types of materials that make quality soundproof mats:

Acoustic Underlayment

Gypcrete or gypsum-concrete is among the acoustic underlayments with sound-attenuating properties, which make it an ideal sound absorber. This acoustic underlayment has light density and mass, enhancing its ability to effectively absorb sound waves. When installing gypcrete, check out for spaces on the floor where airborne and impact noises may penetrate. The application method for this acoustic underlayment should be a continuous or seamless layer to help cover all the gaps on the floor and block any sound waves. Gypcrete also has other properties that can suit you, including fire resistance, thermal insulation, and moisture resistance. Request Sound Transmission Class (STC) and Impact Insulation Class (IIC) testing when looking for gypcrete products; Quality acoustic underlayments with the ability to block and absorb noises have higher STC and IIC ratings.

Fiberglass

Fiberglass is an ideal material for making a sound mat because of its dense structure. This dense structure results from the tightly packed glass fibers, which also have a porous structure. The sound waves traveling through the glass fibers tend to vibrate, causing their energy and intensity to decline. Vibration absorption by soundproof mats made of fiberglass makes them ideal for areas with high foot traffic, as they help dampen impact noises. If you prefer fiberglass sound mats, install them in offices, record studios, gym rooms, and home theaters. Because of their non-combustible nature, soundproof mats made of fiberglass also come with additional benefits like durability and reliability. The surfaces of these mats are fibrous and irregular, helping prevent the reflection of sound waves. This helps prevent echoes and reverberations when sound waves bounce off surfaces.

Acoustic Foams

The porous and flexible structure of acoustic foam helps absorb and diffuse sound waves, preventing echoes and reverberations. Soundproof mats made of acoustic foams also dampen noise by converting the sound wave vibrations into less intense heat energy. You can cut acoustic foam soundproof mats into varying designs, like wedge and pyramidal designs, to help dampen sound waves across various frequencies. Acoustic foam’s lightweight nature makes it easy to cut and install in conference rooms, workshops, living rooms, and other areas. When buying soundproof mats made of acoustic foams, check their noise reduction coefficient rating, which indicates the sound absorption capacity. You can also test the mat in an area with controlled airborne noise levels to determine its frequency response. Other soundproof mat materials you should know about include acoustic mineral wool, acoustic sealant caulk, and Mass Loaded Vinyl (MLV).

Buy a Sound Mat Today

Adding a sound mat to a residential or commercial building’s design helps promote comfortable and productive indoor space. Soundproof mats work by absorbing, diffusing, or blocking sound waves, which cause echoes and disturbances. The soundproof mat you choose should be compatible with your building’s flooring and have the appropriate sound attenuation rating. Call a reputable supplier for gypcrete products or other soundproof mat materials to create a quieter indoor space.
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