Acoustic fiberglass is made of tiny particles of compressed glass. Its most common use is as an audio insulation material. Some manufacturers even use recycled glass to produce it! Fiberglass is essential when it comes to soundproofing.
Fiberglass Alone
To create fiberglass, experts heat a portion of and then spin on high speeds. The most common forms of this material used for soundproofing are batts or rolls. It is also possible to find a loose kind of fiberglass, typically used to fill spaces in attics and ceilings, as well as rigid boards and insulation exclusively made for ductwork. It is practical in walls, ceilings, and floors in cloud spaces.
Acoustic Fiberglass and the Audio Universe
Fiberglass is a material that conducts thermal isolation and absorbs sounds without blocking them. In the audio universe, it isolates sounds. The isolation properties of fiberglass can lower temperatures and soundwaves, avoiding them to pass through. This material works efficiently in collaboration with the Noise Reduction Coefficient, since its rate ranges from 0.90 to 0.95. The standard rating values vary from 0 to 1.
On the one hand, the Noise Reduction Coefficient measures the amount of sound that a specific material can absorb. On the other, Sound Transmission Class, also known as STC, rates how doors, windows, ceilings, and floors reduce sound transmission. In other words, it calculates how the sound passes through or how it is absorbed or blocked by a material or a wall. The sound that travels through the wall diminishes before it passes into the next room.
When to Use Acoustic Fiberglass
Fiberglass is one of the best choices when it comes to soundproofing, but it does not block unwanted noise completely. Hence, some people employ it as sound barrier. Rigid fiberglass insulation helps reduce noise by absorbing sound. When considering fiberglass remember: the thicker and the denser the better.
If this option isn’t what you’re looking for, please consult other options of soundproofing. Namely, acoustic boards, reflection filters, and the Helmholtz Resonator.
