Difference between sound absorption and sound insulation explained briefly

Sound absorption and sound insulation are two different areas, which are unfortunately often confused.Below, we will not only explain the difference, but will also list some examples of products with which you can either insulate or absorb sound.

Sound absorption

When we talk about sound absorption, we mean the absorption of airborne sound by materials such as open-pore foams. The resulting sound is converted into heat energy in the foam. The warmth is of course not palpable for humans - please don’t now think that your attached foam panels will become noticeably warm. The energy involved is far too low for this. The installation of foams thus prevents or reduces sound reflection from spreading further on bare walls.

Foams have proven to be particularly effective for sound absorption, as they have a very large inner surface area (enlarged surface area due to pores). Sound absorption is important if you want to improve the acoustics in a room - especially in terms of reverberation through reflections on the walls. Depending on the frequencies causing problems, you can select appropriate foam strengths. Usually convoluted foam or pyramid foam is used.

So: The thicker the panels and the higher the frequencies, the better the sound absorption. For low frequencies you need very thick panels. Additions such as edge or broadband absorbers can be used to specifically attenuate frequencies and optimise acoustics in the room. 

With this you can achieve sound absorption for example

With these products you can, for example, insulate the sound in the room and absorb sound waves well.

Convoluted foam is one of our classics.It is simply glued to the wall or ceiling and absorbs incident sound in the room. This reduces reverb and improves acoustics in the room.

Pyramid foam has the same function as convoluted foam, only the appearance is different.The pyramids are flush with the edges of the panels.

Acoustic foams made of Basotect are high-end sound absorbers.This foam does not yellow, is flame retardant and has excellent absorption properties

Sound insulation

In building acoustics, on the other hand, we talk about sound insulation if we want to obstruct sound propagation into adjacent rooms, houses, etc., which propagates in particular through airborne sound and perhaps then through converted structure-borne sound. Sound insulation is usually very difficult and depends on many factors on site. If, as in the above case, only foam is applied to the walls, the structure-borne noise may be reduced only slightly.

In addition to noise insulation panels, we also offer broadband absorbers or flat foam panels which, in combination with bitumen panels or heavy foil, act as ''sandwiches'' and are thus particularly effective against structure-borne noise. We have many guides on the subject of "sound insulation" for you on our website, which explain the problem in detail and recommend suitable products from us with which you can achieve the perfect insulation.

General overview in the online adviser

Insulating walls and ceilings (from or to the neighbour)

Insulating machines and engines of all kinds

With this you can achieve sound insulation

Our composite foam is a heavy foam used for sound insulation in many areas.Inexpensive and very effective.

Our bitumen board and bitumen foil have a sound-absorbing (metal) and sound-insulating effect at the same time.They can also be used in combination with composite foam.

e have our flat foams with and without skin.These are often used for engine insulation.

Our popular wall insulation set - so you can insulate noise from your neighbours and your noise in equal measure, or can generally be used as wall insulation.

Further Topics

How to optimise your room acoustics and stop reverberation in the room

How to effectively reduce noise to the outside or between walls