For years, Fiberglass, often known as Glass Wool, has been the industry standard for sound absorbing panels, corner bass traps , ceiling panels, sound diffusers and more. One of the reasons that it has been the preferred absorption material by acousticians, sound engineers, experts and studio designers is that it looks attractive in addition to having effective absorption properties.
The problem was that cutting, moulding, and wrapping panels in fabric cost a lot of money—more than a traditional home studio could pay. A less expensive option was required. Unexpectedly, the lightweight and affordable polyurethane foam was available to meet the demand. You may be curious what the distinctions are between these materials when they are used in absorptive acoustic panels.
As materials for soundproofing insulation, foam and fiberglass have several general benefits. But a lot of people prefer cellulose or mineral wool insulation, particularly Roxul Rockwool, which is made especially for sound-absorbing wall insulation.
Compared to these typical acoustic foam panels, sound absorption panels have up to four times the density. This provides balanced absorption throughout the audio listening range without sounding muffled.
Installation
Acoustic panels installation techniques have the power to succeed or fail. The adhesives used to attach foam panels frequently permanently damage the wall surfaces, making it impossible to use the treatment in any other area. Impaler clips are used to install fiberglass panels. These panels can be moved easily from one place to another and hardly any damage to the wall surface usually results, it can be done by one person quickly and easily.
Cost
Over time, the cost of the oil-based chemicals used to make acoustic foam has climbed in line with the price we pay at the pump. Oil is the main component of polyurethane foam.
Aesthetic
Foam degrades with time, which is one reason why it is uncommon to find foam in professional music studios, conference rooms, podcast room setups etc. Foam panels are difficult to clean, discolor, disintegrate, and collect dust. The edges of fiberglass acoustic panels are made with resin-hardened edges that keep their sharp contours and aesthetic appeal without deteriorating. The cloth covering offers a polished appearance that complements any setting and is simple to vacuum-clean.
Fiberglass panels, as we mentioned, have excellent aesthetics, are long-lasting, and can be placed anywhere easily while complying with fire regulations and removing liability worries. The results of the testing demonstrate that fiberglass panels perform significantly better at soundproofing than foam. Less material is needed to treat a bigger space because of better acoustic performance over a wider frequency range.
There is no universally one size solution. We have a dedicated staff of qualified acousticians on hand to provide you with a customized product offering that caters to your unique needs at Timber Acoustics. Happy to help you with everything you need, simply get in touch with us.
