Sound insulation

What is sound insulation?

Sound insulation is often used in practice as a collective term for everything related to sound management. This can involve both isolating and absorbing sound. However, it is important to understand the distinction. For example, if you search online for "sound insulation," you often come across acoustic foams such as convoluted foam. While this material can improve the acoustics in a room, it has virtually no effect against sound penetrating into an adjacent space. 

The difference between sound insulation and sound absorption

Real sound insulation, also known as acoustic insulation, focuses on effectively shielding a space from external noise or limiting sound transmission to other areas. This differs from sound absorption, which aims to improve the acoustics within a space by dampening echoes and reverberation. By cleverly combining both techniques, you can create a space that is both quiet and comfortable, whether it concerns a home, office, or studio. 

How does sound insulation work?

Sound is generated by vibrations that travel in waves through various materials such as air, water, and solid objects. These waves can move through walls, floors, and ceilings, allowing sound to spread into adjacent spaces. 

In sound insulation, everything revolves around blocking these sound waves. This is done by making use of three important principles: mass, damping, and airtightness. Mass slows down the propagation of sound waves, damping converts vibrations into heat, and airtightness prevents sound from escaping through openings or cracks. 

Why is sound insulation important?

Sound insulation plays an important role in creating a comfortable and liveable environment. Excessive noise pollution can not only disrupt your enjoyment of your home but also impact your health and wellbeing. It provides peace and privacy, whether it is about avoiding disturbing sounds from outside or reducing noise between rooms. 

In addition, good sound insulation contributes to a healthier environment. Prolonged exposure to noise can lead to stress, reduced concentration, sleep problems, and even physical complaints such as high blood pressure. Sound insulation helps to reduce these risks and promotes a healthy living environment. 

Moreover, there are often legal requirements and standards regarding sound transmission, for example in residential buildings, offices, industrial environments, or public spaces. By investing in sound insulation, you comply with these regulations and prevent potential complaints or fines. 

Whether you are looking for more comfort, better health, or compliance with regulations, sound insulation is essential for a pleasant and safe living and working environment. 

What materials are used for sound insulation?

We offer various types of soundproofing panels. When you want to insulate your space, we recommend the following products: 

• Cyclin Pure: 100% circular acoustic insulation board, suitable for use as roof, floor, or cavity wall insulation. 
• Cyclin partition wall: Sustainable insulation panel for an efficient and sound-insulating partition wall. This partition wall is highly suitable for both impact sound and airborne sound. 
• Sound insulating mass plates: Sound insulating plates are thin, heavy boards that effectively isolate sound, ideal for applications such as wooden floors. The heavier the sound insulation plates, the better they block sound. 
• Decoupling plates: Specially designed plates that reduce vibrations in metal surfaces and counteract resonance. 
• Vibration insulation: Effective separation of vibrations to limit sound transmission, suitable for appliances, machines, and constructions. 

How do you choose the right insulation material?

When choosing the right insulation material, it is important to first understand what the problem is and what solution fits that. By thoroughly analysing the situation, you can make a choice that is effective and sustainable. 

What is the problem: airborne noise or impact noise?

Determine whether you are affected by airborne noise or impact noise. Airborne noise, such as voices or music, travels through the air. Impact noise, such as footsteps or vibrations from a washing machine, is transmitted through the structure. For both types of noise, specific insulation materials are available, each with a different effect. 

Type building and use of the space

The type of building and how the space is used play a significant role. An apartment with shared walls requires different materials than a detached house. The use of the space is also important. For a quiet bedroom, for example, you would want to minimise airborne noise, while a studio particularly benefits from the reduction of impact noise.