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When it comes to noise control, both soundproofing and acoustic treatment play critical roles, but they serve different purposes. Soundproofing blocks or reduces the transmission of sound between spaces, while acoustic treatment focuses on improving sound quality within a room by controlling sound reflections and reverberations.
Combining the two strategies leads to the best possible acoustic environment, especially in apartments, home offices, and workspaces where productivity and comfort are top priorities. In this article, we explore how acoustic treatment complements soundproofing, addressing key questions from users and uncovering the science behind sound control.
The Difference Between Soundproofing and Acoustic Treatment
Understanding the difference between soundproofing and acoustic treatment is the first step toward effective noise control. Soundproofing aims to stop sound from entering or leaving a space. It requires materials and construction techniques designed to block or absorb sound waves.
This could include adding mass, creating airtight seals, and decoupling structures to minimise sound transmission. On the other hand, acoustic treatment focuses on the behaviour of sound within a room. It doesn’t block sound from passing through walls but manages the way sound waves reflect off surfaces, reducing echo and improving clarity.
In simple terms, soundproofing addresses external noise while acoustic treatment addresses internal sound. For example, in a noisy apartment, soundproofing solutions might involve installing insulation or sealing gaps to prevent sound from leaking in or out. Meanwhile, acoustic panels or absorptive materials can help reduce reverberations inside the room, making the space quieter and more conducive to focus.
Does Acoustic Treatment Help with Soundproofing?
While acoustic treatment and soundproofing serve distinct purposes, they work best when applied together. Acoustic treatment by itself won’t block noise from entering or leaving a room, but it will make the internal environment quieter and more pleasant by absorbing excessive sound reflections. In a home office or studio, acoustic panels reduce echoes, enhancing clarity during meetings or recordings. This reduction in reverberation makes the space feel quieter, though it doesn't prevent external noise from intruding.
When acoustic treatment is combined with soundproofing, the overall acoustic environment improves significantly. For example, if you’ve soundproofed your walls, ceiling or floor to reduce noise, acoustic panels can then optimise how sound behaves within the space, creating a balanced and less distracting atmosphere. Additionally, acoustic treatment can minimise the perception of noise by reducing internal sound levels, which helps to drown out external noise more effectively.
The Role of Acoustic Panels in Apartments and Shared Spaces
For those living in apartments or shared spaces, noise from neighbours is a common concern. While acoustic panels won’t entirely block loud external noises, they can absorb sound waves and reduce the overall noise level within your own space. This can make external noises seem less intrusive. By absorbing mid to high frequencies, acoustic panels help prevent sound from bouncing off hard surfaces like walls and ceilings, creating a more comfortable auditory environment.
If you’re dealing with noisy neighbours, placing acoustic panels on shared walls can help reduce internal noise by absorbing sounds generated within your room, such as voices, music, or TV noise. This not only improves your comfort but also limits the sound that might disturb your neighbours. While not a replacement for soundproofing, acoustic treatment can provide a significant improvement in acoustic quality, especially when used alongside soundproofing materials like insulation, thicker walls, or soundproof curtains.
How Acoustic Treatment and Soundproofing Improve Productivity
Noise can be a significant barrier to productivity, especially in environments like home offices where concentration is essential. Studies show that workplace noise can lead to a productivity decline of up to 66%, with background chatter, electronic noise, and external disturbances contributing to mental fatigue. Acoustic treatment can help by improving the internal sound environment, reducing echoes, and eliminating distracting reverberations that affect concentration.
When combined with soundproofing, acoustic treatment enhances productivity even further. For example, in a soundproofed office, acoustic treatment helps manage sound reflections, creating a quieter and more focused environment. By controlling how sound travels within the room, you reduce the likelihood of distractions, making it easier to focus on tasks. This synergy between soundproofing and acoustic treatment is also beneficial in creative spaces like studios or editing rooms, where clarity and sound control are paramount.
The Science of Sound Absorption and Diffusion
Acoustic treatment primarily uses two techniques: absorption and diffusion. Absorption involves using materials like acoustic foam or fabric panels that soak up sound waves, preventing them from reflecting off walls and creating echoes. These materials are especially effective at reducing higher frequencies, which are the main culprits of unwanted reverberation. This improves sound clarity and reduces auditory fatigue, making the space feel more comfortable for longer periods of work or leisure.
Diffusion, on the other hand, scatters sound waves evenly throughout a space. Rather than letting sound waves reflect directly back into a room, causing echoes or “hot spots” where sound is louder in certain areas, diffusers spread sound more uniformly. This creates a balanced auditory environment where sound is evenly distributed, which is particularly useful in larger spaces like conference rooms, theatres, or large home offices.
Combining absorption and diffusion ensures that a room has balanced acoustics, with reduced echoes and a natural, even sound. When paired with soundproofing measures that block noise, this creates an ideal acoustic environment for both work and relaxation.
Practical Tips for Combining Soundproofing and Acoustic Treatment
To achieve maximum sound control, follow these steps for combining soundproofing and acoustic treatment:
Step 1: Soundproof the Room’s Structure
Start with soundproofing the major structural elements of the room. Seal gaps around doors and windows, and use heavy curtains or blinds to block external noise. Insulate the walls, floor, and ceiling with proven soundproofing products like MUTE SYSTEM or DECIBOARD. Don’t forget to upgrade doors to solid-core acoustic models that prevent sound leakage.
Step 2: Add Acoustic Treatment for Internal Sound Control
Once your room is soundproofed, introduce acoustic treatment. Install wall-mounted acoustic panels made from materials such as wood, acoustic fabric, PET-Felt or foam to control mid- and high-frequency reflections. For low-frequency sounds, use bass traps in the corners of the room. Diffusers can also be strategically placed to scatter sound and create a balanced audio environment.
Step 3: Choose Dual-Function Materials
Some materials can serve both soundproofing and acoustic treatment purposes. For example, dense carpets or rugs can help reduce noise transmission through floors while also controlling the sound reflections within the room. Additionally, acoustic foam panels with a high NRC (Noise Reduction Coefficient) can serve as both a barrier and a sound absorber.
Step 4: Focus on Furniture Placement
Soft furniture like sofas, upholstered chairs, and heavy curtains can absorb sound and reduce reflections. Try to arrange furniture in a way that breaks up sound paths. For example, placing bookshelves against the walls can act as secondary barriers to sound and improve acoustics. Avoid large, flat surfaces that may reflect sound waves and create echo. Avoid also glass or concrete surfaces.
Step 5: Opt for Acoustic-Friendly Interior Design
Incorporate sound-absorbing elements into your design scheme. Textured walls, soft furnishings, and acoustic panels can be integrated aesthetically to blend in with the interior. Think about using art pieces that also function as acoustic treatments or opt for stylish wooden diffusers that enhance both the visual and acoustic ambiance of the room.
Additional Reading Resources:
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Everest, F. Alton. Master Handbook of Acoustics. McGraw-Hill Education, 2001.
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Mehta, Madan, et al. Architectural Acoustics: Principles and Design. Springer, 1999.
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"Effects of Noise on Mental Performance: A Comparison Between Office and Laboratory Settings." Journal of Environmental Psychology, Elsevier.
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Møller, Henrik, and C. S. Pedersen. "Hearing at Low and Infrasonic Frequencies." Noise and Health 6, no. 23 (2004): 37–57.
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Hansen, Christian H., et al. Engineering Noise Control: Theory and Practice. CRC Press, 2010.
