The Ultimate Guide to Acoustic Foam

Acoustic foam is a type of foam that helps to reduce sound energy in a room. The amount of sound energy which it's able to reduce will be determined by factors such as formulation, density, thickness & the surface profile but more on this later. It is typically applied to the walls and ceilings, facing into the room. It works by creating a layer of sound absorptive material that dampens sound waves. It's often used to reduce ambient sound levels, reduce the reverberation time and improve the overall sound quality. Acoustic foam does an excellent job at absorbing unwanted reverb or reverberation, within rooms suffering from excess echo. Long reverberation times make it hard to clearly hear speech and music.

Acoustic foam is also used in soundproofing, however it is almost always used in combination with other soundproofing materials to achieve the desired effect. Acoustic Foam has qualities such as sound absorption, acoustical dampening and noise control.

We expect to see acoustic foam in audio and video recording studios both the live room and also in control rooms. However it can also be used in a wide variety of places such as museums, stadiums, home theatres.

Acoustic foam is a sound absorption material that is often used in venues that often battle with noise problems - such as nightclubs and even sports arenas. What constitutes noise can be a subjective but we can all agree that unwanted noise can be a source of great agitation. Noise can cause a lack of sleep and hinder our ability to work or study. Ideally we want to reduce the background noise so that we can work, play and rest in a calm, relaxing environment.

Acoustic foam is a soundproofing material that is often used for acoustic treatment. It is made of thousands of small, air-filled cells. The walls of the cells create a barrier to the sound wave, as the sound passes through the foam, the sound energy is dissipated as trace amounts of heat.

By understanding how acoustic foam works and the different uses it can be put to, you can make an informed decision about how appropriate it is for your specific needs. So, whether you're looking to reduce noise pollution from your generator, in your home cinema or small home studio, acoustic foam is an option worth considering!

In this blog post, we'll be discussing the main ways acoustic foam works, as well as detailing some potential uses for acoustic foam. Acoustic foams are popular due to their many benefits like ease of use, novel look and of course its sound absorption properties. Different types of acoustic foams offer different levels of performance depending on their formulation and the application requirements. So read on to learn more!

Acoustic foam is a type of cellular material that can be used to reduce sound reflections by absorbing sound energy. This makes it a great choice for commercial and residential buildings, cars, boats, planes & trains.

Another popular use for acoustic foam is in sound insulation. However, it's important to note that acoustic foam does not have magical powers to solve all noise problems. I've say this because over many years of working as professional in the field of acoustics I've seem foam stuck in the strangest of places, with some people believing it can do far more than what is reasonable or even possible.

Acoustic foam is primarily effective at reducing sound reflections, so if you're looking for a sound barrier, acoustic foam may not be the best solution. What the foam is capable of achieving is dependant on the type, density, fire safety rating and sound absorption specification.

Too many people just "assume" that foam is the best solution to their sound proofing problem, it may not be. Rather start by discussing your noise problem with one of our experts, then ask what products they recommend and weigh up the options. You can get in touch with us here.

In this article I'm going to help you know how judge the performance of acoustic foam and make an informed decision about whether or not it's the right material for your needs.

"Genesis Acoustics recently performed outstanding work at our laboratory. They installed the waffle profile acoustic foam and industro-foam in our Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology laboratories of the University of Cape Town.

This has helped to reduce the noisy sound generated by multiple Mass Spectrometer instruments and their roughing pumps by a significant amount.

Staff and students can now work on the LC-MS/MS instruments and spend extended periods of time in these labs without complaining of getting headaches from the excessive noise that those areas previously suffered from."

Willem Van Dalen

This is a great question. You can make an argument that any open celled foam is going to absorb sound but does that make it an acoustic foam? Definitely not. Let me give you a relatable example to explain why. Would you buy a car if the salesman promised you the car would get you from A to B but could give you no technical data such as fuel consumption, acceleration, braking, safety features, reviews etc? I think you would agree that you'd have to be very desperate to buy a car like that and guaranteed to be in for problems. Likewise a claim of a foam being acoustic is really worthless without the data to back it up.

The most important acoustic data is the sound absorption co-efficient, which tells you the percentage sound absorption the product offers at 125, 250, 500, 1000 & 2000Hz. Without this data you really have no idea what you are buying - you should always insist of getting this vital information up front before making any decisions.

A company who tries to sell foam or any other acoustic treatment for that matter, without credible acoustic data, is far more interested in taking your money than your satisfaction. For the sake of credibility, acoustic foam should always be rated by an independent, third party acoustical testing facility.

Sound is:

Absorbed
Passes through the structure
Reflected back into the room

When left unchecked, these effects typically cause a range of noise problems for the inhabitants, workers or visitors in the building.

The mechanisms by which we control these effects are:

Sound absorption
Diffusion
Soundproofing
Room layout and design

Ideally, to save time and expense these factors should be considered in the planning stages, before the room or venue is built. However, we do a lot of retrofit acoustic treatment to help people and companies make the best of the facilities that they already have and overcome their noise problems.

Do you need help with your project? You can get in touch with us here.

It's necessary to talk about the thickness of the acoustic foam because there is a direct correlation between the thickness of the foam and the level of sound absorption which it is able to achieve. A thinner foam for example 25mm thick will only really offer efficient sound absorption in the higher frequency range, from 1000Hz and up. A thicker foam like a 50mm should be effective from 500Hz and up. However very few foams offer efficient sound absorption at 125Hz and below.

An absorber designed to deal with low frequency nodes in a room is called a bass trap. Bass traps do not suck all the bass out of a room, they help to dramatically reduce the reverberation time of low frequencies in small square and rectangular spaces and these result of this is a full, punchy, well defined, low end sound. This enhanced audio quality is ideal, whether you want to enjoy the soundtrack of your movie or are in a recording studio.

Generally, the thicker the acoustic foam, the better the sound absorption is, across a broader frequency range.

Whether you measure the thickness of the foam in millimetres, centimetres or inches, the most important thing to understand is that the thickness of the foam directly effects the acoustic performance. Therefore you should select a foam that offers sonic qualities which are well suited to your specific your application.

Uncontrolled sound waves reflect off hard surfaces & bounce around the room repeatedly until they eventually fall below the range of human hearing. This can take anything from milliseconds (in a very dead room) to a few seconds or longer, depending on the volume of the room. In a large hall for example the reverberation time may be 10 seconds or more.

When the sound source is continuous, such as people speaking or music playing, then you end up with new sound being produced while older sound is still within the range of hearing. This results in interference and poor sound quality.

Lots of reflections and a longer reverberation times can make it very hard to hear and understand what is being said, music quality is degraded even to the point of being unenjoyable. I once stood in a large hall with a prospective client and, even though we were alone in the hall and standing right next to each other, it was difficult to have a conversation, due to the long reverberation time and the resulting interfering echo.

By increasing the amount of sound absorption in a venue, we minimise the sound reflections and reduce the reverberation time. This makes it easier to understand conversation and appreciate the music.

A room with lots of hard surfaces is often called "live," and a room which is very muted with a lot of sound absorption is called a "dead" sounding room. Finding the right balance can be achieved through understanding the purpose of the room, then planning the acoustic treatment of the room accordingly.

Please reach out to us here for help.

I generally do not like the term "soundproofing foam" because, for most people, it is very misleading. If this term is used, it leads people to believe that the foam will somehow block all noise in and of itself solve all the soundproofing problems that they have - this is simply not the case.

Acoustic projects have to be considered holistically and there are typically a combination of room finishes and structural changes that must be implemented to achieve the desired outcome. Most foams fall into the low to medium density range and are not designed to soundproof a room, but rather to acoustically treat the room by absorbing the unwanted reflections of sound waves.

If a sheet of foam is cut into tiles and finished with a 3D profile, then, in most peoples' minds, it's now automatically an acoustic foam. This is false, however most people seem to believe, that the profile is proof that the foam will have special acoustic properties.

The formulation and thickness of the foam is far more important than the profile. In fact cutting the foam away to create the profile, removes some of the very foam that could be absorbing sound.

The value of the profile is primarily in its aesthetic appeal. Nobody wants a large sheet of flat foam stuck to the walls of their room - it isn't going to look good.

There are many different profiles available, but at the end of the day, all that matters is the test results. What is the sound absorption co-efficient of the product. Don't judge how effective the product is by its looks - judge it by the data. If the data is good and you like the looks, then great, you've got a winning combination.

Have a look at our waffle profile acoustic foam here.

That all depends on the type of room and what it is that you're trying to achieve. For most people, even with only basic acoustic requirements, they will need more than just acoustic foam and this is not because acoustic foam doesn't work, it's a case of using the right product for the right application. As I couldn't possibly describe here what acoustic treatment will work for everyone, but let me just say that in order to save yourself some time and frustration, it's going to be of huge value to you to get some expert advice before you get going with your project.

This foam is commonly used in the bedding, decor, furniture and upholstery industries. There are however opportunists who who have no qualms about taking advantage of people and will gladly sell it as an acoustic foam, just to make a quick buck. It's low cost makes it popular among DIY enthusiasts wanting to try do the job themselves as cheaply as possible but there are many pitfalls to going the route of using untested foam with no know acoustic values. Heck you wouldn't even buy a pair of headphones without knowing the data, don't make this mistake when buying foam.

There are big differences in performance so don't shop blind, speak to an expert and know the numbers.

As acoustic foam is used on walls and ceilings, for fire safety reasons foam installed in this manner should always be flame retardant however this is not always the case. Some people might buy the foam and use it without ever giving any thought to the fire risk however the risk is substantial and should not be ignored.

Polyurethane foam is highly flammable and gives off deadly, toxic fumes when it burns. I know we like to think that a fire will never happen to us but rather be safe than sorry. Polyurethane foam can be a very serious fire hazard.

This type of foam offers good sound absorption properties but its main selling feature is that it is highly resistant to fire. This makes it ideal for noise reduction applications such as soundproofing of machine housings, generator housings etc. It is also available in a high density that gives it better sound attenuation and vibration damping properties than a lightweight foam. The high density type may be as much as 3-4 times higher in density then many of the low to medium density foams.

You can check out our Class 0 foam here.

Generally closed cell foams are not used for sound absorption but there is a specific type, which stands out as an exception. It is formulated with an unusually large cellular structure and modified with a perforated surface to increase sound absorption.

This type of foam has some special applications as it is even suitable for exterior use. This makes it a great option for outdoor applications or use in environment with high humidity such as to line a pool pump housing, or in an indoor swimming pool training facility.

Note that is a lightweight product that cannot be used on it's own as a sound barrier.

Read more about our outdoor sound absorbers here.

Open cell and closed cell foams can both be used for acoustic purposes but for very different applications. Both variations are available in a wide range of specifications determined by the formulation, density, stiffness, fire rating etc. according to where & how they have been designed to be used. There are too many variations from various suppliers to mention them all here, so the purpose of this article is to give a broad overview of the respective applications.

These foams have many other uses which are beyond the scope of this article, so here we'll only examine how they are typically used to help solve sound & noise reduction issues.

Vibration leads to sound transmission, wherever the vibrations go the sound is transmitted. Sound transmission through the structure of a wooden floor for example can lead to flanking sound problems, this is what happens when sound is linked through different parts of the structure of a building. For example if a wooden floor makes direct contact with the walls then the footfall noise on the floor can radiate up and down the walls. To help solve this problem the floor should be installed with a 1cmgap around the full perimeter and this gap can be filled with a strip of 1cm thick closed cell foam.

There are many different types of acoustic foam on the market, all with their own unique properties and benefits. It should also be noted that many people use the words "soundproof" and "acoustic" interchangeably and this leads to confusion. Acoustically treating a room involves the use of sound absorbing materials to reduce the reverberation time, in order to increase speech intelligibility and music clarity - this is the function of most acoustic foams.

Sound proofing is the process of building or retrofitting a structure in such a way as to mitigate (to a lesser or greater degree) the amount of sound transmission through the structure, with the goal being to ensure that the room is fit for the purpose for which it is intended. The measure of this is that the room should be free from disturbing noise being transmitted from the outside in, or visa versa.

Can acoustic foam be used for noise reduction? The answer is "yes, sometimes" but it must be the right type of foam & used in the right context. "What foam is best?" is not a simple question. To answer this properly, the response will be determined by eight factors which I've listed below.

Where are you going to use the foam? What is the application?
Is the look of the foam important or is it only important that it meets the technical criteria?
Is a flame retardant foam good enough or do you need a Class 0 non-combustible foam?
Will the foam get exposed to direct heat and if so, to what max temperature & for what duration of time?
Will the foam ever get exposed to high humidity, get wet from rain or need to be washed down? If yes, look here
What type of sound or noise are you trying to treat? e.g. vocals, music, machine noise, generator etc.
What level of sound absorption do you need?
What is the typical sound level output of the source noise in 1/3 octave frequency bands? This can be determined by an instrument that measures the RTA (real time analysis) of the noise source. You can book a site inspection here and we'll do this for you.

What is the relationship between foam, density & acoustical performance? Over the years, I've realised that most people battle to understand the role that density plays, in the performance of an acoustic foam. A common misconception is that there is a direct correlation between density and the level of sound absorption which a foam is able to achieve. Many times when I'm asked this question, I quickly realise that the person enquiring, is hoping to easily discover the "secret formula" and then just go directly to a factory knowing what to ask for, confident that they can get the right thing at a much cheaper price. I'm afraid that it's just not that simple.

The reality is that if you chance it and go to a bedding company, they have no technical idea, professional experience or training in acoustics and cannot give you the right advice. Do not be enticed by that sheet of convoluted foam rolled up in the corner, it's a mattress topper, not an undercover (sorry for the pun) sheet of acoustic foam. There are good reasons why bedding and foam mattress companies are not experts in acoustics - they know about issues related to bedding, comfort and sleep. Seems obvious right?

I have worked with bonafide acoustic foam with a density from as low as 10kg/m3 and as high as 90kg/m3 for diverse applications.

A high density foam will have far superior sound attenuation properties but this only applies in very specific scenarios.

Correct use:

Adding a high density foam to a lightweight structure such as sheet metal will provide value in terms of its vibration damping and sound attenuation properties. A good example of this is applying the our Class 0 Genesis Foam inside a machine housing.

Incorrect use:

Adding a high density foam to a heavy structure like a plastered brick wall will have not have a meaningful impact on the ability of the wall to attenuate sound. When you add mass to mass this is simply an ineffective, costly way to increase the amount of sound attenuation that the structure can provide.

You can check out our Class 0 foam here.

If what you are primarily looking for is sound absorption then don't get distracted by the density. Focus on the sound absorption coefficient on the data sheet.

Does the product on offer provide the level of sound absorption which you need for your application?

A way to tell is to get a Real Time Analysis (RTA) done on your noise source which will reveal the SPL levels in the 1/3 octave bands, then compare it to the sound absorption co-efficient of the sound absorber you are considering.

If you need us to help you with this, you can reach out to us here.

This answer will in itself provide an excellent clue as to what density will be best.

Here are a couple of examples:

Inside a generator housing: High density, non-flammable Class 0 Genesis Foam. Why? Because the high density will assist with sound attenuation and the damping of structural vibration.
On the walls of a studio / band practice room: Low to medium density foam such as waffle profile acoustic foam
Under a flush, skimmed ceiling in a room: Low density product such as Industro-Foam
Suspended Rectangular Baffles: Low density product such as Industro-Foam
Suspended Cylindrical Baffles: Low density product such as Industro-Foam
Suspended Acoustic Clouds: Low density product such as Industro-Foam

So firstly, noise cancellation is not a term which we as working professionals in the soundproofing industry would use to describe products designed to be used as a structural element, inside a structure, to line a structure or to seal air gaps. When talking about the issues related to soundproofing we use terms such as sound attenuation, sound insulation, sound transmission and sound transmission loss, to name just a few.

However, to answer the question we must first define what is meant by noise cancellation. There is active noise cancellation such as is found in sophisticated electronic devices such as headphones. Active noise cancellation is an electronic process, so therefore acoustic foam cannot offer active noise cancellation. The second type is passive noise cancellation.

Such as the oversized cup of over the ear headphones. The seal created by the headphones against your head helps to block out disturbing sounds from the surrounding environment. Another example would be the acoustic door seals used around the perimeter of a soundproof door. The seals prevent the free movement of air and this is necessary for soundproofing. A simple test to experience this for yourself is to sit alone in your car without the engine running, the stereo off and all the windows closed. Now open the driver's side window by just a centimetre (about a half inch) and hear the difference - that small gap makes a huge difference.

The second type of passive noise cancellation is by materials designed to absorb sound, such as the acoustic foam used in an anechoic chamber. An anechoic chamber is a highly specialised testing facility. Because of the nature of the testing, it is necessary to eliminate the sound that would otherwise reflect off the room surfaces, as reflected sound would interfere with the test results. In order to achieve a room completely free from any reflected sound, large specially developed wedges of acoustic foam are used. Some of these rooms are so quiet, it's said that you can even hear the beat of your own heart.

It's worth noting here that sound absorption is not the same as sound attenuation. It's possible to have a product that will absorb up to 100% of the reflected sound but this same product may offer almost zero soundproofing. It takes mass to mitigate sound transmission through a structure. Acoustic foam however has a very low mass relative to other construction materials.

Can You Soundproof a Door With Foam?

A common misconception is that you can take acoustic foam, stick it over a hollow core door with no seals and you will soundproof the door. This will of course, be a very inefficient way to soundproof a door. You have a lightweight door plus a lightweight foam and airflow around the perimeter of the door due to the lack of seals. It's therefore important to always get professional advice before starting on a project involving acoustic treatment or soundproofing, you can reach out to us here.

I've written an article on the soundproofing of doors where I answer many related questions and give loads of helpful tips here.

Unfortunately, what foam is best for you may be determined by your budget. So if you're trying to get the best bang for your buck, here are two valuable tips:

Buy less but of a better quality, credible product and add on as you can afford to.
Don't succumb to temptation and buy a cheap product, that has no credibility and will almost certainly not do what you need it to do anyway. There's nothing worse than buyers remorse. Just remember if it's waaaaay cheaper, there's reason and it's probably not because you just stumbled across the deal of the century.

Ok, so this point goes hand in hand with the above one regarding cost. It's all good and well to search the internet for products from all over the world, but let's not forget that even if the advertised price seems acceptable you'll need to bear in mind the exchange rate, on top of that you will have to pay for shipping, handling, duties and VAT. The supplier will almost certainly not calculate this for you. Your goods will not clear customs until the duties & VAT have been paid.

Unless you are a registered importer with SARS, you may only import once per year. What if you need to purchase a second or third time?

If you have to ship your product in from overseas and you are left with more than you need - you cannot return it for credit. If you have too little, then you have to order more and potentially wait a long time to receive it. If you have quality issues, you may also struggle to get assistance. I have just recently heard of a local company in South Africa that imported a lot of acoustic foam from overseas, only to find out after it was installed that the quality was so bad it was unacceptable. I know what you're think "oh, I bet they bought it from China" but actually no, they bought it from Germany. They had to uninstall the product, scrap the entire purchase and do it all again - ouch.

If you buy local then you can walk into the store, see the actual product, chat with a sales person face to face, ask questions, see all the alternatives, understand the pro's and con's of the various options etc.

Also, "hey, just support local". You'll feel good about yourself and it'll be hugely appreciated. You're a star!

You can reach out to us here.

The sound absorption co-efficient of the product in the 1/3 octave bands, will tell you exactly how much sound the foam absorbs in each frequency band. This really takes the guess work out of making the decision.

Make your decision based upon performance - not sales talk. If the supplier has to boast that they are the biggest and the best, they might just be covering up for the fact that they don't have the necessary data or the data they have actually isn't that impressive. If you're not sure if the data you've been provided with is good or not, then ask for help and compare data from different suppliers before making your decision.

For as long as many people can remember, the the first product they were easily able to identify as being a special acoustic product, was probably a profiled acoustic foam.

As humans, we like to default to what we know because it feels safe, it feels familiar, and this gives us a level of comfort. Of course there are many, many other types of acoustic products out there, but none, it seems, as easily recognisable as a profiled acoustic foam.

You might have seen it in a recording studio, but more than likely you saw it in a movie - lining the walls and roof of a surveillance van used by the FBI or CIA on a stake out. Or maybe you saw it in a music video but when it happened, that info kind of got subconsciously stored somewhere in your brain under the file named "In case I ever need to solve an acoustic problem I'll use that".

In the 70's, 80's & 90's acoustic foam became so synonymous with recording studios that it eventually simply got called "studio foam" and the name stuck. You can check out our studio foam here.

Perhaps THE stand feature of acoustic foam is that it can be profiled to create an interesting and if we're honest, a very cool look. Because people have seen acoustic foam in music videos, a recording studio, the FBI or CIA surveillance van in a TV or movie, they have a strong association of it being used for by credible, working professionals and as a result it becomes very desirable. Lots of people find the look very appealing and therefore simply want to use the product in their own space.

Whether or not the profile makes any difference to how efficiently it works is an interesting topic which I'll discuss elsewhere in this article.

There are too many profiles to list them all, but here are three popular ones:

Cone Profile:

This profile is commonly referred to as "egg crate foam." This is sold as tiles and as sheets. Many bedding shops sell mattress toppers with this convoluted foam profile. For this reason, it has the disadvantage of looking like bedding foam, which makes it look cheap. Because it's cheap, many people looking to save buy it, but many times they're just buying a grey mattress topper with no credible acoustic data.

Pyramid Acoustic Foam:

This profile has become well known for its use in recoding studios and broadcast studios.

Waffle Profile Acoustic Foam:

At Genesis Acoustics we offer a profile called Waffle Profile Acoustic Foam, which has alternating peaks and valleys which serve to increase the surface area. You can check it out here.

Wedge Shaped Foam

Large foam wedges are used in highly specialised testing facilities known as anechoic chambers.

It's lightweight and therefore easy to ship or pick up at a shop.
It's also easy to install
Doesn't require the drilling of any holes. Just apply some adhesive to the back of the tiles and press them to the wall in the desired position.

Sounds easy right? It is if you're only doing a small area. However when applying acoustic foam to a large area it can become tricky and one has to do the prep work thoroughly or contend with wonky, skew lines afterwards. I recommend that you use a laser line or gut line and a spirit level.

Actually, this may or may not be true, but as acoustic foam is made in bulk and not framed or covered in fabric, so it may be cheaper than alternatives such upholstered acoustic wall panels.

When buying cheap is foremost in your mind be careful when making your purchase decision. There are lots of people selling so called "acoustic foam" who are not specialists in soundproofing and are just interested in a quick sale.

What is the actual quality of the product you are looking at? Remember - it's easy to make and sell a cheap product and make bold claims but it's far more difficult to properly develop a product, get it independently acoustically certified and employer trained, experienced staff - this process costs an investment in time & money but results in a quality product and service.

When you buy real acoustic foam, you are not just buying the physical product, you are buying the R&D, testing and data which stands behind it. That super cheap product that looks so tempting will have no credible data to back up its claims. All you have is a picture online to go on and the supplier may even have copied the picture from somewhere else - yip, this happens.

This is just a reality, especially when people shop online and have no one to advise them, or they go to a shop that sells musical instruments where they speak with a sales person who is simply interested in selling the foam tiles they have on their shelf.

The truth, is that there are many other great alternatives to acoustic foam. There are many type of venues where foam is just going to look "out of place".

We have a large range of upholstered acoustic panels plus we offer the Feature Wall System which makes it possible to very neatly upholster an entire wall or ceiling. This makes is perfect for churches, boardrooms & home cinemas to name a few. The sound absorption of these products is equal to or better than foam and the fabric finish is more far more durable and will outlast foam.

Foam can create a fire risk if it comes into contact with direct heat, sparks, a lit cigarette and the risk rises substantially if there are flammable materials nearby.

Sometimes people use foam just because it's convenient but they're more than sound absorption to consider, you must always consider proper fire safety.

Normal flammable or even flame retardant polyurethane foam may not be suitable, thankfully we also offer a highly specialised, non-flammable, Genesis Class 0 Foam. You can check it out here.

There are also other types of acoustic insulation products available such as glasswool and Rockwool, which are both non-flammable. See here. These are un-faced, fibrous products which are typically only used inside structural building elements because they can shed, look unfinished and are thus meant to be used out of sight.

There are a few things you need to keep in mind when soundproofing a generator. It's important to realise that not doing it correctly will almost certainly lead to costly damages.

You can void the warranty on your generator
Cause it to overheat
Last, but not least - using the wrong materials can cause a fire.

Don't worry, we have the experience and expertise to help you get the job done right - so that running your generator doesn't disturb your own household and so you can remain on friendly terms with your neighbours.

The soundproofing of generators is a big topic, but to make it easy I've written a useful article with my top tips and solutions. To find out more about the soundproofing of generators, please check it out the article here.

There's no need to soundproof your mother in law - even if she can be quite noisy! In fact, sometimes it might even be difficult to understand what she is saying.

Here are some tips on how you can deal with the noise issue:

Set ground rules for noise levels and stick to them religiously. This will help keep everyone calm and relaxed.
Try not to engage in any conversations that are too noisy - this includes TVs, radios, etc.
Find a quiet corner or room within the home where you all can meet without disturbing each other unnecessarily.
Have family meetings at an early time in the day when there isn't much activity going on.
Avoid playing noisy, outdoor activities - inside your home.

If you follow these simple guidelines, hopefully everyone will have a fair chance of being heard clearly, without feeling irritated or stressed out by others.

Disclaimer:

Ok, so this was written totally in jest and just for a laugh. I hope you all have a great relationship with your in laws. Grandparents are a blessing to our children and have a wealth of wisdom and knowledge to impart. Grandparents need our love and support.

If I had a Rand (or even better - a Dollar) for every time I've been asked by parents (with a twinkle in their eye & a naughty grin) if they can use our acoustic foam to soundproof their kids, then I'd be a wealthy man.

Ok, so no, we can't (and should never) soundproof our children, but we can use acoustic foam to decrease the overall levels of noise in our homes, classrooms, churches etc. which will have a pleasing, calming effect on children, parents, teachers and grandparents alike.

We sell a white acoustic foam which is perfect for installations under existing ceilings - you can check it out here. Installing Industro-Foam under ceilings will dramatically reduce noise levels in any room, passage, cafeteria, restaurant etc

Voice overs are a great way to add an extra layer of professionalism and quality to your videos. By enlisting the help of a professional voice over artist, you can ensure that all your audio content is up to par. However, if the room in which the recording is done is not acoustically treated, then the recording can easily be spoilt by poor room acoustics.

The careful use of acoustic foam on the walls & ceiling can minimise unwanted flutter echo & standing waves and improve the audio quality of the recording.

The terms studio foam and acoustic foam are used interchangeably by many people. For foam to be called by either of these names it should always have credible sound absorption data. The bottom line is compare the data and know the actual acoustic performance of the foam and don't buy based on looks alone.

The use of acoustic foam can be a great way to improve the sound quality of the recording and mixing done in the studio. It is an affordable solution to help meet the specific acoustic needs of your studio. Some stdio engineers would ague that foam is not the right or best way to go but it really depends on what you're trying to achieve. If you're looking for excellent absorption in the mid to high frequencies then studio foam can do a great job. In my view you shouldn't be using foam for low frequency absorption anyway, so it's just a case of using the right tool for the job.

Because foam tiles are typically a stock item, it is normally readily available ex-stock. This helps when you need to make audio improvements to your room right away.

In a studio environment, acoustic foam is often used to supplement the other acoustic treatment such as bass traps, diffusers and structural soundproofing like doors, windows etc.

If you're looking for a way to make your band practices more comfortable, acoustic foam may just be the perfect solution. An untreated room with lots of hard surfaces, leads to problems such as long reverberation time & interference. Problems like these make it difficult for musicians to hear each other. It's no fun practising in a room with a harsh sound, where all the musicians are competing with each other to be heard.

An acoustic drum kit and an enthusiastic drummer typically set the base volume to which all the other band members must rise, or be drowned out. If you're a must then by now you're smiling because you know it's true. So the other muso's progressively each turn up their own volume. Collectively the overall volume spirals upwardly and this does nothing improve the sound of the room but it will cause frustration and can even lead to damaging your hearing, if the volume levels are too high.

As an acoustic kit can easily reach volume of 100dB the volume range of the band collectively will exceed 100dB. It's therefore no surprise that many musicians suffer from hearing loss. It's actually far easier to damage your hearing than most people think.

At volume levels of between 100 - 105dBA it's possible to damage your hearing within 15 minutes.
Between 105 - 110dBA you can damage your hearing within 5 minutes.

These are scary figures because it can happen so easily. The problem with hearing loss is that it's permanent, so that means we all really need to look after our hearing.

Acoustic foam has a sound-deadening effect which allows proper management of the sound levels within the band practice room. In a room that has been properly acoustically treated, suddenly the overall volume levels drop and everyone will find is easier to hear themselves in the mix. This will help to reduce distractions during rehearsals and make the the practice times far more enjoyable and productive for all the musicians.

If you're looking to improve the sound quality of your drum practice room, then you should consider using acoustic foam panels. Acoustic foam panels are beneficial, as they reduce reverberation time and increase the sound quality. Additionally, acoustic foam panels can also be used to create a more consistent sounding room for drums, cymbals and other percussion instruments. All in all, if you're looking for a budget friendly, effective way to improve your drumming experience, acoustic foam is a good place to start!

Home cinemas are perfect places to enjoy high-quality entertainment, but the enjoyment of the sound track and of the movie as a whole will never be great unless the room is acoustically treated. Home cinema rooms can benefit greatly with the addition of acoustic foam.

In a home cinema, the best place for acoustic foam is often under the ceiling where it cannot be touched. Here it can help deal with the unwanted reflections in the mid to high frequency range, which is where the product typically works best.

On the walls we prefer to used an upholstered system such as our Feature Wall, as upholstery provides a much larger range of finishes and is far more durable than is foam.

In the corners of the room, one should be using bass traps to deal with the low frequency nodes, common to any small square or rectangular space.

Ultimately, the goal of any acoustic treatment is to make the watching of your movie much more enjoyable and engaging. You want to feel like you're right in the middle of the action, totally engrossed in the story being told.

If you're going to always wear headphones when you play your games, then that solves your sound problem and you won't need to treat your gaming room acoustically. However, you may prefer to use your sub woofer and sound system, especially when you're gaming with friends as this becomes a social occasion.

When hanging out together with friends, your gaming experience can benefit greatly from the use of acoustic foam, other types of acoustic treatment and possibly even soundproofing. These products will improve the acoustics in the room and make your gaming experience more enjoyable. Plus you can achieve a cool look by customising your room with the acoustic treatment and making it look different from what all your friends have.

Generators are very useful to keep the power flowing to your lights and most important devices when Eskom cuts off the power and load shedding kicks in - again. However, an indisputable fact is that they make an enormous amount of noise.

If you have a generator housing, then a Class 0, non-flammable acoustic foam will help to dampen the noise. However please don't even think about using normal flammable or even flame retardant foam for this application, the risks are too high due to the persistent high heat and the fact that generators can run for hours at a time without being monitored.

The soundproofing of generators is a complex matter, as there are so many variables. I've written a helpful article on this specific subject to help you avoid all the typical mistakes and get all your questions answered - you can find it here.

An acoustic foam may be effective at absorbing sound waves, but this does not mean that it is equally effective at all frequencies. In fact, sound absorption will always vary in efficiency at different frequencies. This is normal because the length and amplitude of sound waves varies greatly, depending on their frequency. As a general rule of thumb, foam tends to be good at absorbing sound in the mid (500Hz) to high frequency range, but be poor in its ability to absorb low, bass frequencies. A bass trap is by definition an acoustic product designed especially to absorb low, bass frequencies.

Does this mean that there are no good foam bass traps out there? No, but it does mean that you have to learn to read the numbers to understand what it is that you are getting. Beware of pics of fancy cut foam profiles, lots of sales talk but no actual data. Here's an example of sales talk that should make you wary: "We're the biggest and the best manufacturer of foam bass traps in Africa. This amazing bass trap works really well, right down to very low frequencies." What do you notice there? Lots of boasting but no actual data.

As it's hard to get very low frequency sound absorption tests done, however most suppliers will at least provide the sound absorption co-efficient at 125Hz. In my opinion, in order for the bass trap to offer even reasonable performance, the absorption co-efficient at 125Hz should be at least 0.70 (70% absorption.)

Expanding foam is a readily available and convenient product to use for closing the gaps between the door or window frame and the wall that they've been built into. The product works well in terms of thermal insulation, but it's not ideal for soundproofing. This is because it's a light weight product and as such offers little resistance to sound energy. It's definitely better than leaving open gaps, but there are better ways to soundproof those gaps.

Three Effective Method to Close Small - Medium Gaps:

These methods will be effective to seal gaps such as: around door & window frames, the perimeter of drywalls & ceilings etc.

a) Plaster:

Plaster large gaps closed with a concrete and building sand mix. This has the necessary mass to stop sound.

b) Foam Rubber Cord

This is a soft, compressible, round cord that you push into place with your fingers to position it, then tap it in with a scraper until it wedges in place and seals the gap. This should be followed with an acoustic sealant to achieve a smooth, flush finish.

c) Acoustic Sealant

This is a flexible sealant that has been specially developed to close small gaps. It works best for gaps of between 3-10mm wide. You'll find the details on our sealant here.

Some suppliers make big claims but sell foam that has no legit sound absorption data. Acoustic foam is a popular choice for sound absorption in many homes and small studios. However, there are often suppliers who make exaggerated claims about the effectiveness of their product.

Before choosing a supplier for acoustic foam or any other soundproofing it's important to first determine how credible they are as a company. I've written a handy checklist to help you with that, you can check it out here.

Do your research and check out the sound absorption data of any product you're considering. Some suppliers might not have any sound absorption data at all - this means that they cannot back up their claims with anything solid.

I have seen companies here in South Africa who just completely fabric the data out of thin air to hoodwink prospective clients - it's crazy I know. Here's that link to the article to help make sure you are dealing with a credible supplier.

It is essential that everyone be familiar with fire safety precautions. This will help keep you and your loved ones safe, protect other people in the vicinity and potentially save your equipment and other possessions from damage due to fire.

I dealt with a client who had used regular convoluted bedding foam inside generator housing in an effort to soundproof his generator and it ended in disaster. This type of foam should never have been used in this application, it caught alight and the generator was a complete write off.

I strongly recommend that you never use normal, flammable polyurethane foam as an acoustic foam, for use on walls and ceilings. The risk is simply too high.

Is acoustic foam the same as soundproof foam?

This is fundamentally the wrong question to be asking. Acoustic foam is designed to absorb sound waves and reduce echoes within a room, while soundproofing is designed to block sound from entering or leaving a room. Acoustic foam is often used in recording studios, home theaters, and other environments where sound quality is important, to control and diminish unwanted reflections. Sound absorption is applied inside a room as a finishing, whereas the methods of soundproofing are different because they are structural.

Get in Touch →

What is the best thickness for acoustic foam?

The best thickness for acoustic foam depends on the specific needs of your space and the level of sound absorption required. Generally, thicker foam will absorb more sound over a broader frequency range than thinner foam, but there are other factors to consider such as the density, formulation and profile of the foam. It's important to consult with an acoustic professional to get the right advice on the best thickness of foam for your specific needs.

Get in Touch →

Brett Robinson is a well-known figure in South Africa, in the field of acoustics and soundproofing, with a career spanning over two decades. As an entrepreneur, blogger, public speaker, husband, and father of three, Brett has balanced his professional pursuits with a rich personal life. He founded and has been managing Genesis Acoustics since 1997, leading the company in designing and manufacturing innovative acoustic solutions such as soundproof doors, generator enclosures, and various sound-absorbing room finishes.

His expertise and commitment to quality have earned him the trust of some of South Africa's biggest companies, including Barloworld, Mercedes Benz East London Plant, Durr, Ford Motor Company South Africa, Volkswagen South Africa, Nissan, 3M, Coca Cola Bottling Plant Port Elizabeth, banks, Starbucks, Mugg & Bean and many more. His impact extends beyond large corporations to churches, recording studios, and numerous small to medium-sized businesses.

Brett leads a dedicated team of over a dozen full-time staff, with Genesis Acoustics represented in various major centres across South Africa. His contributions to the industry have not only shaped the soundscapes of countless architectual spaces but have also set a high standard for acoustic and soundproofing solutions nationwide.

When not working in one of his companies, Brett enjoys spending time with his family, writing, mountain biking, and training in Krav Maga. His diverse interests and commitments reflect his dynamic approach to life and work, embodying a holistic vision of success that values both professional achievement and personal fulfilment.

Links

https://www.instagram.com/genesis_acoustics

https://www.facebook.com/GenesisAcousticsRSA

https://www.soundproofmygenerator.co.za/

https://what3words.com/definite.major.bubbles

The National Institute of Building Sciences - Acoustics: https://www.nibs.org/page/acoustics

The Glass Association of North America (GANA): https://www.glasswebsite.com/

The International Noise Control Engineering (INCE-USA): https://www.inceusa.org/

Sound and Vibration Magazine: https://www.sandv.com/

U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) - LEED Rating System: https://www.usgbc.org/leed

Acoustic Foam South Africa: A Comprehensive Guide

Table of Contents

Introduction

1. What is Acoustic Foam?

Contact us

Customer Testimonial

2. Can Any Foam be Called an Acoustic Foam?

Contact us

3. How Does Acoustic Foam Work?

When sound strikes a surface such as a wall, 3 things happen

Thickness

What is the Benefit of Absorbing Sound?

Uncontrolled Reverberation Degrades The Quality of The Audio Signal

What is Soundproofing Foam / Sound Proofing Foam?

Does the Profile of the Acoustic Foam Really Make a Difference?

Is Acoustic Foam All That I Need to Treat My Room?

Contact us

How to Judge the Credibility of a Company Offering

Soundproofing and Acoustic Products

What Types of Acoustic Foam are Available?

1. Flammable Polyurethane Foam

2. Flame Retardant Polyurethane Foam

3. Carbon Impregnated Class 0 Polyurethane Foam

4. Melamine Foam

Perforated Polyethylene Closed Cell Foam

Contact us

Open Cell Foam vs Closed Cell Foam

Understand Which Product to Use Where & Why

Open Cell Foam

1. Sound Absorption

2. Sound Attenuation

3. Vibration Damping

Closed Cell Foam

1. Sealing Air Gaps

2. To Damp Vibration

3. As an Acoustic Underlay

4. To Decouple Structural Building Components

5. Under the Legs of Chairs & Tables

Contact us

What is the Best Soundproof Foam?

8 Questions to Help You Select the Right Type of Acoustic Foam for the Job

There is No One Size Fits All

Contact us

The Type of Application Will Determine the Value of the Density:

1. Sound Absorption

2. Sound Attenuation

Top Tips to Remember Regarding Density

1. Don't get Distracted

2. What is the Application / Where will the Foam be Installed?

Contact us

1. Seals

2. Sound Absorption

The Difference Between Sound Absorption & Sound Attenuation

Contact us

5 Factors That Will Influence

Which Acoustic Foam You Buy

1. Your Budget

2. Cost of Shipping, Handling, Duties & VAT

3. Local Availability and Support

4. Performance

5. The Credibility of the Supplier

Contact us

6 Reasons Why Acoustic Foam is Popular

1. It's Top of Mind

2. For It's Cool Appearance

3. It's Lightweight and Easy to Install

Convenience

4. It's Easy on Hands, Eyes and Doesn't Cause Dust

5. It's Cheap

6. People Don't Know What Else is Available

Contact us

7 Jobs That you Should NOT Use Acoustic Foam For

Whatever You Do - Avoid the Last 2

1. Diffusers / Diffusion and Open Cell Foams

2. Where a Non-Flammable Acoustic Insulation is Required

3. Inside a Drywall, Above a Ceiling or Under a Floor

4. To Soundproof a Door

5. To Soundproof a Generator

6. To Soundproof Your Mother in Law

7. To Soundproof Your Children