There is nothing worse than having extra echo or a large reverb in your room when you are trying to talk on the phone, record your voice, or record music.  This generates excessive noise thus making it difficult to hear anything.

So how can you solve this problem? A quick, affordable, and simple solution to reduce echo and dampen noise is to install soundproof foam panels.

What Are Acoustic Panels?

I’m sure you have seen these before. They are the foam panels typically found in recording studios. They are usually rectangular or square in shape.  They are made of a soundproof material to help reduce unwanted noise such as reverb and echo within a certain space.  You can hang them on walls or ceilings.

What Are Soundproofing Panels Made Of?

The acoustic foam that makes up these panels consists of a polyurethane base. The chemical makeup of this material increases air resistance making it difficult for sound to travel quickly.  Some panels can be made of fiberglass as well. Fiberglass does a great job of creating friction with air particles that ultimately induces the loss of sound wave energy. Some other soundproof material is made of polymute resin and intertwining carbon weave, like the Mutex Soundproof liner.

Do Acoustic Panels Actually Work?

Acoustic panels do work because they are made of a thick, dense material that absorbs sound.  The more panels you have the less echo and reverb you will experience.  To maximize their effectiveness, you must know where to position them in your room.  I will go over how to do that later in this post.

Your Acoustic Panel Strategy

There are two different approaches you can take when installing these foam panels. You can either (1) create your own acoustic panels or (2) buy them. Since I’m a lazy person, I’d recommend that you purchase them online, especially if this is your first time soundproofing a room. It’s super simple and you can read hundreds of reviews.  However, if you are a do-it-yourself type of person, then you might enjoy building your own.  Note, some carpentry skills may be required.

Acoustic Foam Buyer’s Guide

When buying soundproof foam panels, you can shop in stores for them but you will probably find the best deals online.  There are also multiple reviews you can read on the internet regarding the different soundproof panels available.  Before clicking the buy button, you should remember to compare these essential features to determine if it is a quality soundproof panel.

Pattern on the Surface

Material Thickness & Density

Panel Size & Count

NRC Rating

Here are a few recommendations to consider for each of these features.  This should help point you in the right direction to find the best acoustic panel.

Pattern on The Surface

The surface pattern of a typical acoustic foam panel consists of pyramid shapes.  It looks like a 3D wedge. Some patterns affect sound differently than others but overall its very minimal. Therefore, do not feel obligated to get one specific type of surface pattern. You see that flat surfaces work as well.

Material Thickness & Density

Density and thickness of a material do have a big impact on blocking or reducing sound. Generally, acoustic panels are designed with a thickness of 2” – 4”.  If you find panels that are thicker than this average standard, get them!  Thicker foam panels are much better at absorbing sound.

Panel Size & Count

The number of panels you buy and their size will impact the noise level of the room differently. For example, if you buy a soundproofing panel package that has 6 panels measuring 3 square feet, that will have a different impact compared to a package that comes with 12 panels measuring 4 square feet. Obviously, the larger surface area you cover, the greater reduction in noise you will experience.

Standard foam panel bundles include either 6, 12, or 24 panels that measure 1, 2, or 8 square feet per individual panel. I’d recommend covering up to 50 square feet to get started in soundproofing your room.  You may find purchasing small soundproof foam panels are easier to install, especially in tight areas.

NRC Rating

NRC stands for Noise Reduction Coefficient.  This is a measurement of how well something absorbs sound.  It’s scale ranges from 0 to 1 with 1 being the best soundproof rating.

What Is The Best Acoustic Foam Panel?

I’m sure you have tried searching for the best acoustic foam panels on the web and get over a million results.  There are so many different options that it can be challenging to make a decision.  There are both good and bad soundproof foam panels out there. The key is to filter out the non-effective ones and focus only the quality panels.  That is why I have written this article. Below are some of my favorite acoustic panels that will deliver the best performance in your home.

Acoustic Foam Egg Crate Panels

These egg crate foam panels are perfect for home studios.  They look very clean and do a great job of absorbing sound. They also have a high NRC rating.

The panel thickness measures 2.5 inches. If you have a lot of wall space to cover then buy these because they are very large panels that cover a total of 8 square feet.  There are two panels per package. They are very easy to install.  Allow them time to expand after opening because they are flattened and rolled for shipping.

These foam panels also double as protective padding for fragile valuables. They can really come in handy when you move.  These panels are very easy to alter if need be. You can use scissors to modify the size of the panels.

12 x 12 Acoustic Panels Studio Foam

These 12×12 acoustic studio panels are classic.  Each panel measures about 1 inch thick and covers one square foot per panel. If you alter the pattern, these panels can look very nice hanging on your wall. There are a variety of different colors available. These are cheap foam panels that do a great job of reducing noise. If these were a little thicker they would be perfect. You also need to be careful because they do feel rather flimsy so they can easily tear.

You can use these to help dampen sound for recording vocals or instruments.  Note that they are not effective at reducing low-frequency sounds. You will probably need something denser. Overall, these acoustic panels are quite good for the money.

Multi-Color Soundproof Foam Tiles

The best feature of this multi-color soundproof foam tile is that it is fireproof. Usually, foam helps to accelerate fire but his foam act as a fire retardant. These are one of the safest acoustic panels you can buy online.

The two different colors look amazing when set up in an alternating configuration.  It will really class up your walls and stand out. Plus the wedges are super clean and emphasize perfect, crisp edges on every tile. Not only do they look aesthetically pleasing but are also very durable.  They should last your lifetime without crumbling.

The thickness of these foam tiles measure 2 inches and have a density of 1.2 lbs per cubic foot. Like I’ve mentioned before, the denser the material the better it is at absorbing sound.  These foam panels will do an excellent job of absorbing any excess noise.

Fiberglass Soundproof Acoustic Panels

Here are some amazing quality fiberglass soundproof panels that you will absolutely love. They are made of thermal, acoustic, anti-vibration material.  You will be surprised at how good these panels reduce noise.

The design of these soundproof panels are very aesthetic and will look great on your walls.  Instead of a 3D wedge design, these panels feature a flat surface. They measure 1 inch thick and cover about 1 square foot of space per panel. The NRC rating for these fiberglass soundproof panels is .85, which is a very high score.

If you have the money to buy these then go for it. If you have a large surface area to cover then it could get expensive very quickly. You can purchase these in four different colors. I like the black best.

How To Install Soundproof Foam Panels

Installing soundproof foam panels on your walls is simple but can cause a lot of damage if you do not understand fully what you are doing. It is best to read and watch videos on how to perform this action before engaging in the task. This is why I have included this section in this post.

DO NOT apply adhesive to the back of your foam panel and stick to your wall.  This is not the correct way to put up your foam tiles.  This can damage your wall if you ever need to remove the soundproof foam.  Also, refrain from using a staple gun or hammering nails through the foam.  This will not only ruin your foam panels but also destroys the integrity of your walls.

You want to easily secure your soundproof panels without your walls suffering any type of damage. Here are 3 steps you can follow to accomplish this task.

1. Plan The Arrangement of Your Foam Tiles

Planning how you want your tiles set up ahead of time will save you from having to remove them and potentially damaging your wall in the process. The goal is to do the least amount of work during installation. Therefore make measurements and markups on your wall or ceiling so you know exactly where to hang your panels.

2. To Group or Not To Group

If you are grouping your panels together, then it is best to spray adhesive on the back of each foam tile and mount them to a large piece of cardboard to fit all of them on as one unit. You can use Loctite 200 High-Performance Spray to do this. Make sure to cut off any remaining visible cardboard so it will look nice on your wall. If you are grouping your foam pieces together then no need to use cardboard.

3. Installing On Your Wall

To install your grouped foam panels that are attached to cardboard, use the heavy duty frame hanging tape strips by 3m. This tape can hold heavy loads.  This tape is strong so be careful when applying to your wall. It can be strong enough to rip the paint and chunks of the wall off if not careful. You only need to apply two strips on each top corner to hold up the cardboard.

For the foam panels that you are not grouping, simply apply the frame hanger strips to the back of the foam panels and stick to your wall. One strip on the top center of each panel should suffice because they are fairly lightweight.

Where to buy soundproof foam panels?

I recommend you search online for soundproof foam panels.  You could probably find these at your local music store or technology store.  It’s easy enough just to order them from Amazon or eBay.  This way you can read reviews, view pictures, and order from the comfort of your own home. Also, there are more deals you can find when purchasing them online. Just follow the links we provided for some of the soundproof panels mentioned earlier in this article.

Foam or Fiberglass?

There is a lot of hype around fiberglass insulation as a source of soundproofing your room.  It deserves much attention and respect because it actually does a good job of absorbing noise, especially low-frequency sounds. However, it does require more labor to install. It is best to have the fiberglass installed during renovation. You will most likely need to hire someone to install it.

If you prefer something easier to work with, soundproof foam is the way to go.  Plus it is cheaper.  You can easily add a panel of foam anywhere in any room and it does a good job or reducing noise.

Does Acoustic Spray Foam Work?

Acoustic spray foam is very effective at blocking sound. You can use it in between floors, walls, and even in small cracks or openings.  It is best to apply the spray foam during a renovation. I have used it to fill small holes and it works flawlessly but it really isn’t that aesthetic. Therefore, only use it for minor openings and in places that are not visible.

How To Make Your Own Soundproof Panels

Here is a fun DIY project to do one weekend. If you are somewhat handy and have extra time on your hands then why not make a go at building your own soundproof panels?!

For those who are somewhat handy here is what you need to make your own.

Tools:

• Hammer
• Nails
• Glue
• Staple Gun
• Scissors
• Mounting Brackets
  
  

Materials:

• Wood (2’x4’)
• Fabric
• Fiberglass

Once you’ve got everything you need, follow the instructions below for a step-by-step guide:

1. Measure the size of the soundproof material you want to use.
2. Measure and cut your wood frame to the exact dimensions of your soundproof material.
3. The long wood edges of your frame should be 1.5 inches longer than your soundproof material.
4. Use a table saw to make precise cuts
5. Position your wood frame pieces around your soundproof material to ensure all pieces were cut accurately.
6. Secure all frame pieces together with screws then remove your soundproof material so only the frame remains.
7. Staple packing tape diagonally throughout the entire frame.
8. Install soundproof material into the frame on top of packing tape for a snug fit.
9. Screw middle wood frame pieces on front and back sides.
10. Cut and staple mesh finishing material to your wood frame.

Now that your soundproof panels are built you are ready to place them in your room. But where should you position them?

Positioning the Panels in Your Room

You soundproof panels are ready to be mounted but where?  This is an important question because it depends on how you are using your soundproof room.

Are you building a soundproof room for recording music and vocals? There is a certain way to place your panels for the best sound quality. You need to determine where the sound reflects the most.

You can place soundproof panels anywhere in your room and it will help to absorb sound regardless. The most common places to position soundproof panels include doors, ceilings, and walls. You may need to experiment to determine the best location for each panel. Since you are using double-sided tape to hang up your panels, it should be easy to remove and replace.

Below I have listed a few basic positioning concepts to think about when soundproofing your room. Remember that room corners tend to produce the most echo and reverberation so you want to pay attention to those in order to optimally reduce noise.

1. Cover All Trihedral Corners – This means you should soundproof any corner of the room that has three sides. Use bass traps like this one on Amazon to soundproof every corner of the room. Since there are 8 corners in the room you will need 8 bass traps.
2. Cover Dihedral Corners – This means covering corners that share two sides. Basically, you want to cover the corners where two walls meet. You can use long bass traps and secure them to the corners of your room or you can stack many small bass traps to cover the dihedral corners.
3. Soundproof Behind Any Monitors – Many people forget about the space behind their speakers or monitors. Sound travels everywhere so you need to make sure you have that area covered as well. Be mindful that some speakers and monitors have rear-facing sound ports.
4. Cover Your Walls Largest Reflection Point – What I mean is test your room by shouting or clapping to determine the location on the wall where sound bounces the most. If you do not have enough panels, space them evenly throughout and only cover the reflection point of one wall leaving the opposite one open. You only need one foam panel to reduce the reflection point. Of course, covering your whole wall is best but sometimes we have to improvise!

Remembering these four key points when you go to set up your soundproof panels will help maximize the amount of sound reduction in your room. You will drastically notice a difference when you cover up the corners and silence your wall’s main reflection point.

Final Thoughts

For those of you, that like DIY projects, building your own soundproof panels will be so much fun. Knowing that you built those panels will make you feel accomplished. However, for those that are lazy like me, simply buy some foam panels and double-sided frame tape to hang them up. It is very affordable to soundproof your room with foam panels and will not take much time. Make sure to position the soundproof panels in the way I have described to optimize sound absorption.