What's the difference between sound insulation cotton and sound absorption cotton? How should I choose?

1. What are the differences between sound insulation cotton and sound absorption cotton?

The difference between sound insulation and sound absorption

The sounds we hear are produced by the vibration of objects; the object emitting the sound is called the "sound source." Sound needs a "medium" to travel, and air is the best sound transmission medium in everyday life. Having understood the principle of sound transmission, let's look at the difference between "sound absorption" and "sound insulation." Both methods can improve noise levels, but they are completely different.

• Sound absorption: Just like a sponge absorbing water, sound-absorbing materials absorb sound energy, reduce the transmission and reflection of sound in the space, and solve indoor noise, echo and reverberation problems.

• Sound insulation: This involves using sound-insulating materials to block the transmission of sound in adjacent spaces, especially noise from outside, next door, or floors above or below.

The difference between sound insulation cotton and sound absorption cotton

Because sound absorption and sound insulation are different concepts, their structures are also different.

• Sound insulation cotton, also known as sound-absorbing foam, works by preventing sound from penetrating and affecting two spaces. To effectively block sound, it's mostly made of rubber, which has high density, a smooth surface, and a robust closed-cell structure, effectively isolating sound. Furthermore, sound can be transmitted through vibration, so good sound insulation cotton should also focus on vibration damping. A reminder: to solve noise problems between floors, be sure to choose "impact sound insulation materials," such as floor sound insulation pads and floor sound insulation pads.

• Sound-absorbing cotton: Its main function is to absorb sound energy in a space, preventing sound from escaping and achieving a certain degree of sound insulation and reducing echo. Therefore, it is mostly made of fiber materials, which have a soft, porous surface. The open structure effectively absorbs noise, reducing its intensity. Sound-absorbing cotton primarily prevents sound from escaping from a space; it is rarely used in homes, but mostly in places like cinemas and karaoke rooms where loud music is played.

2. How to apply sound insulation cotton?

Many people looking to solve noise problems wonder how to install soundproofing materials. Small household soundproofing materials, such as window and door soundproofing materials, can be bought in stores and assembled by oneself. However, ceiling soundproofing materials, floor soundproofing materials, and floor soundproofing mats mostly need to be layered to achieve good sound insulation, which is difficult to DIY and requires professional help. Below, we'll take soundproofing mats as an example to look at the installation steps for floor soundproofing mats and soundproofing materials.

• STEP 1: Rough cleaning of the floor slab: The focus of this stage is to remove sharp objects.
• STEP 2: Start laying: Lay the floor mat with the logo side facing up, and finish along the corner of the wall.
• STEP 3: Overlap the original self-adhesive tape: Place the sound insulation pads side by side, then peel off the self-adhesive tape to overlap and cover them.

• STEP 4: Overlap Covering: Attach another roll for the overlap, and seal the joint with 3M waterproof tape.

III. Are sound insulation cotton expensive, and how should I choose them?

Soundproofing cotton is a relatively affordable soundproofing product. However, when buying it, don't just look at the price; consider other factors as well. Mastering these three key selection points will help you find the ideal soundproofing cotton product.

• Key Point 1: Understanding the Difference Between Sound Insulation and Sound Absorbing Cotton: When choosing sound insulation cotton, many people assume that sound absorbing cotton is the same. In fact, sound insulation cotton mainly blocks sound from entering or leaving the sound system, while sound absorbing cotton reduces sound reflection and improves sound quality. It is essential to distinguish between the two before making a selection to achieve good sound insulation results.
• Key Point 2: Confirm Size, Shape, and Quantity: Sound insulation cotton comes in various sizes and shapes, so choose according to the size of the installation space. Currently, most sound insulation cotton on the market is in square sizes such as 50x50cm and 70x70cm. When buying, calculate the required number of pieces based on the size of the indoor space. If the sound insulation requirement is for door and window frames, measure the length, quantity, and gap width of the doors and windows before purchasing, and choose a long and thin type of sound insulation cotton to reduce the difficulty of cutting during installation.
• Key Point 3: Choose models with flame and mildew resistance: Sound insulation cotton is prone to moisture and combustion. For safety and ease of cleaning, choose models that have been treated with fireproof, waterproof and mildew resistance.

IV. Is sound insulation cotton useful? What are its disadvantages?

Many people choose soundproofing cotton as their first choice for noise reduction, as it works reasonably well on windows and doors and is inexpensive. However, soundproofing cotton actually has several drawbacks, and it's recommended to use other soundproofing products instead. Below, we'll discuss three disadvantages of soundproofing cotton and then recommend ideal soundproofing products.

• Disadvantages of soundproofing cotton 1: Health hazards: Traditional soundproofing cotton uses asbestos, which is prone to weathering and producing dust over time, harming the human respiratory system and skin, and may cause respiratory diseases and skin allergies. In addition, some soundproofing cotton may shed lint, which may also cause allergies.
• Disadvantage 2 of sound insulation cotton: Aesthetics are affected: Traditional sound insulation products do not pay much attention to design and appearance, focusing mainly on professional testing and certification of sound insulation and sound absorption effects. Therefore, installing them in the home may affect the visual effect of the home environment.
• Disadvantage 3 of sound insulation cotton: Space problem: Traditional sound insulation cotton is made of thick and dense material, which can effectively block external noise and absorb indoor sound. However, when installed on walls or ceilings, its thickness will compress the indoor space.

What is the ideal sound insulation material?