When it comes to insulation, it pays to get things right. There are many different types of insulation available and some are more suited to specific spaces.
Acoustic insulation is a great choice for stopping sound from transferring through walls, making it popular around the home. However, when choosing the best insulation, you also want to make sure it does the primary job of keeping spaces warmer.
We’re going to break down some of the subtle differences between acoustic and traditional thermal insulation so you can make the best choice for your job.
How Does Acoustic Insulation Work?
Insulation’s primary job is usually to provide a barrier to stop the transfer of heat from one space to another. How it does this involves a range of scientific techniques, including conduction and convection.
Essentially, through specifically chosen materials and cleverly designed air pockets, insulating materials are stronger at stopping the flow of heat, keeping it contained. How well a material can insulate the heat is measured in its R-value.
Acoustic insulation has a slightly different job – instead of stopping the flow of heat, it must stop the flow of sound waves. Stopping sound can either be done through absorption or reflection and tends to be best achieved by softer materials that force the sound waves to dissipate.
Difference Between Acoustic and Thermal Insulation
Because stopping heat and stopping sound are different things, the insulation designed for each can often vary.
Traditional thermal insulation has one job – to reduce heat loss. Often, this is done in part by the insulating material holding onto some heat, which helps stop the passage of additional heat through its surface.
Sometimes, this can be achieved effectively with thin, dense materials like polystyrene insulation boards with tiny air pockets that retain heat and keep it locked into the space.
Soundproofing is a different job entirely. While traditional insulation can hold onto heat, acoustic insulation must rely on reacting to whatever sound waves are thrown its way.
Insulation materials like polystyrene might work well against heat transfer, but their density can make them weak soundproofers, as sound loves to travel through solid surfaces.
Thankfully, however, there are overlaps between insulting against heat and insulating against noise. For one, both benefit from thick, soft materials like wool, a common material across acoustic and thermal insulation. Wool is not only a naturally warming material but it’s also soft and creates many small layers that sound struggles to pass through.
Does Acoustic Insulation Have Thermal Properties?
Yes, acoustic insulation also comes with a level of thermal resistance as with traditional insulation.
While not all insulation materials are good for stopping sound, pretty much all acoustic insulation will have some level of thermal insulation built-in thanks to the materials being used.
In many cases, there’s no need for a trade-off – acoustic insulation can be just as good when it comes to heat loss as traditional insulation.
Some traditional insulations won’t advertise their soundproofing effectiveness, but many acoustic insulation products will provide an r-value relating to their thermal strength. If you are looking for an insulation material with specific soundproofing advantages, it’s often best to look for an acoustic insulation with a high enough r-value for your needs.
At Fastbuild, we supply a range of insulation products including acoustic insulation. Check out our range today to discover the best trade prices.
