Last updated: January 22, 2022 at 19:26 pm
Are you looking for a simple yet effective way to block noise and keep sound in your home or workplace? Acoustic blankets serve a multitude of purposes and can be used in both residential and commercial areas.
Let’s take a look at acoustic blankets, how and where they are used for soundproofing, and why they’re such an effective tool.
IN THIS ARTICLE
What are Acoustic Blankets?
Acoustic blankets are also known as sound blankets or soundproof blankets and are made from a layer of soft, heavy, and absorbent synthetic fibers. These acoustic blankets are designed to shield or protect an area from outside noises and prevent the noise from seeping into the room.
Acoustic blankets work by absorbing sound waves as they strike the surface of these panels. The more acoustic blankets you have, the better they work in absorbing sound. These blankets can also be used as wall coverings that allow you to change your decor easily while still providing good sound reduction qualities.
It is also good to know that acoustic blankets differ not only in composition but also in their shapes and sizes with some being less than one square foot while others can expand to cover several rooms.
They are also designed for specific applications like reducing sound in a recording studio or reducing noise from traffic when placed on windows and doors in a home. Some soundproof panels are made using polyester or polyurethane and others from cotton or glass fiber materials.
Additionally, acoustic blankets with a low-profile design make them easy to use in situations where space is limited. This makes them ideal for use on windows and doors that are close to other objects like furniture or shelves that would be damaged by traditional soundproofing methods like adding mass or padding to walls.
How They Are Used for Soundproofing?
Acoustic blankets, or soundproofing blankets, are of great use for soundproofing. Here we shall tell you how and where to use them for the best results.
Acoustic blankets can be placed on walls as well as on ceilings to help prevent noise from spreading. They have been used in recording studios, theaters, music rooms, and so on where noise has to be controlled.
Acoustic blankets can also be used at home when necessary to protect from noise pollution due to outside activities such as aircraft flying overhead. Alternatively, loud music played by someone who lives next door, etc.
Soundproofing blankets are placed on walls or ceilings depending on where the loud noise is coming from or is expected to come from in the future. A single blanket may not be sufficient to block out all the noise if the source of it is very close by, but multiple layers of acoustic blankets can do the magic.
Generally, acoustic blankets can be used for soundproofing in a number different ways.
Provide a Barrier for Noise
The idea here is to block outside noise from entering a room. The barrier can be made from the blanket itself, or by placing the blanket between the person creating sound and the outside world.
Either way, your acoustic blanket must be thick enough to cut down on outside noise as well as inside.
Create Sound Reflection Within a Room
Depending on the size and configuration of your room, you can use these blankets to reflect noise or create reverberation. You may need more than one blanket to create this effect.
You’ll also want to make sure that you don’t cover up any speakers or other components with your blankets.
Use as Part of a Sound Dampening Wall Design
When placed strategically between two rooms, a blanket can help break up the path of acoustic waves. This helps reduce some of the echo that often result from bouncing sounds off walls and ceilings.
For all three uses, you must choose an acoustic blanket with which you’re familiar with its materials. Acoustic blankets are made from a wide variety of soundproof materials depending on what a person needs them for and how much money he or she is willing to spend. More expensive acoustic blankets tend to last longer and offer better soundproofing.
Acoustic Blankets vs Moving Blankets
Acoustic blankets are designed to soften and muffle the sound of music. Moving blankets are designed to be portable. They’re not made of cloth, like acoustic blankets and room dividers; they’re made of vinyl, like shower curtains. They have grommets along the edges so they can be hung from hooks or rails. And they use Velcro rather than zippers.
Moreover, acoustic blankets are made of materials that make them better at absorbing sound than moving blankets made of vinyl. However, moving blankets are lighter, more portable, and easier to hang than acoustic blankets. Acoustic blankets tend to be somewhat bulkier and less professional-looking than moving blankets.
Moving blankets also have a foam core around the edges, which makes them harder to tear or rip than acoustic blankets with a fabric border.
Additionally, acoustic blanket prices vary widely depending on size. Smaller sizes are cheaper, but bigger sizes can be surprisingly economical. If you need several large sheets for a sound studio, recording booth or drum room, you’ll pay about the same for a hundred-square-foot acoustic blanket as you would for one small moving blanket.
Alternatives
A lot of people are looking for alternatives to soundproofing blankets because these items are often expensive and harder to get. Here is a list of some of the best alternatives to acoustic blankets:
Moving Blankets
As discussed above, moving blankets are a great alternative to acoustic blankets. They are a cheaper alternative, and easier to get hold off. However, they won’t provide quite as much soundproofing.
If the noise you’re looking to block it manageable, try moving blankets first. If those don’t do the trick, more expensive (and thicker) acoustic blankets should do the job.
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Standard Blankets
While you may use a blanket as an alternative to soundproofing blankets, they are not the best option. The main reason is that they will not be able to provide you with the same level of soundproofing that other products can give you. This means that if you are having trouble sleeping due to noise pollution, using a blanket will not be a good idea.
Heavy Curtains
If you want to soundproof a room, it can be a good idea to use heavy curtains as your alternative to soundproofing blankets. However, if you have windows in the room that are not covered by these curtains, then you should think about something else.
You will also have to weigh the cost of this option against the price of other alternatives on this list before making your decision.
Rugs in Addition to Heavy Curtains
You could also use rugs in addition to heavy curtains if you want to soundproof your windows. Rugs work better than the actual window coverings because they absorb more sound waves.
Packing tape and newspaper are also two of the most popular noise dampening materials. The effectiveness of packing tape lies in its adhesive quality, which adheres to most surfaces and reduces airflow, helping deaden sounds. Newspapers work similarly by filling up space and absorbing sounds.
How to Hang Acoustic Blankets
Tuck in the edges of your acoustic blanket with a staple gun. This will prevent them from fraying and hanging down later on.
Measure from the floor to the ceiling, add two inches, and cut two pieces of wire this length. Measure across the room and cut two more pieces of wire this length. You should now have four pieces that are about six feet long each.
Use a carabiner to attach one end of the first piece of wire to a corner of the blanket. Slide the free end through the hole in your wall or ceiling and around a wooden support beam or joist. Bring it back down and through another hole in your blanket and clip it to another carabiner already attached to your first piece of wire.
Repeat this process on all four sides, attaching one end of each piece of wire to a corner and bringing it around a support beam or joist to attach it back onto itself with a carabiner. You should also use pliers to make sure that every connection is as tight as possible.
What is an Acoustic Blanket Booth?
An acoustic blanket booth is a booth that uses sound-dampening panels to reduce sounds made by recording, broadcasting, and motion picture equipment.
A soundproof booth is a single room that is enclosed on all sides, except for the entrance and exit. The purpose of a studio booth is to keep outside noises from interfering with the recorded or broadcasted sound.
Acoustic blankets are typically made from fire retardant acoustical foam material impregnated with glass fibers. To control resonance and flutter echoes in an acoustic booth, acoustic blankets are often used with wall treatments like acoustical panels, ceiling tiles, and drop ceiling systems.
Conclusion
So far, all of our findings are pointing to acoustic blankets being a worthy addition to your studio. With little to no permanent installation required and easy setup, acoustic blankets seem to be a viable option. Especially for those who want an immediate way to clean up their sound or in an emergency studio situation.
