Soundproofing a room or undertaking construction work is always a top priority when soundproofing work is in process. And for that, you may search for a cumbersome solution at an affordable price. It might be worth considering a soundproof blanket. Surprised? And may think, do they really work? Are they effective as noise reduction solutions?
Yes, they are highly flexible and durable, and due to their lightweight design and compact size, they reduce sound echoes and noise effectively.
This article will provide detailed answers to these questions. So, keep reading to the end.
What Are Soundproof Blankets, and How They Are Different?
In simple words, we can say a soundproofing blanket is a kind of blanket that people use for damping and blocking noise in their room. In contrast to a traditional blanket, a soundproof blanket is a tool that creates a sound barrier and reduces external noise in a room. As a temporary construction barrier, soundproof room divider, or soundproof wall, this blanket mainly serves to make sound insulation walls. It prevents unwanted noise in your room by covering your floor, walls, and ceiling. If you are looking to create an isolated area in your home or business, these barriers can be applied, such as soundproof booths or loud equipment like generators.
Soundproof blankets differ from any other soundproof material because they are measured by standards, such as NRC ratings and STC ratings. The ratings indicate how effective a particular material is at absorbing sound. Sound blankets are also the most affordable and useful than any other soundproofing equipment.
How Do the Soundproof Blankets Effectively Block Noise?
A soundproof blanket blocks noise effectively because of its multiple layers. Its outer layer forms the woven fabric that allows sound waves to pass through it. In the inner layers, a variety of fibers are used as sound insulation, such as mass-loaded vinyl, fiberglass, recycled cotton, and mineral wool. The thickness of these materials determines how much sound gets absorbed.
Furthermore, the grommet that comes with the blanket allows you to hang it on the wall. But it’s good to know that acoustic blankets will not eliminate all sound, but they can significantly reduce it. Of course, a soundproofing blanket works so effectively only because of its material.
Where to Use A Soundproof Blanket?
Blocking off certain areas of your room with blankets can help prevent echo effects and outside noise from coming through to reduce noise. Using blankets to block sound will require you to learn how to place them in some places or how to use them for that purpose.
Set the Blanket on The Door
Doors and windows are the most common means of letting sound in or out. So, when you hang or set a soundproof blanket on the door, it will greatly increase the thickness of the door, preventing not only incoming and outgoing sounds but also thermal leakage. And you can do it in the following ways.
- Glue them to the door and drape them over it
- You can also use nails or glue to set them on the door
- If you do not intend to open the door, you can nail the blanket to the wall around it
- Using a curtain holder, hang the blanket above the door.
Cover Your Window with The Blanket
As we mentioned in the door, windows are also one of the most vulnerable parts of your house, where sound can easily travel. So you can cover your window with a soundproofing blanket. Yes, it’s a bit disappointing, as it prevents you from enjoying the view outside. If peace is more important to you than the view, then this might work for you. In the same way that you set the blanket on the door, you need to put it on the window as well.
Set Them up On Your Wall
You can soundproof your home with blankets by attaching them to the walls if they are thin enough that sound can travel through them. As a result, these soundproofing blankets will not only prevent your neighbor from tiptoeing but also prevent him from hearing you. Here’s what you will need to set the rugs on the wall:
- Place the blanket flat against the wall and nail it in place.
- Due to the blanket’s weight, you may need industrial adhesive to tape it or glue it to the wall.
- Prepare to use a whole lot of mounting putty in it
- You can also hang it on furniture or install curtain tracks by suspending it on a curtain track.
Note: Don’t nail the blanket too deeply into the wall if nailing is your preferred option. Once the blanket is no longer necessary, you can remove it.
Soundproofing the Floor and Ceiling with The Blanket
It is quite easier than the alternatives. Covering the ceiling or floor with blankets doesn’t seem like a very good idea. Moreover, nailing into the ceiling is not an easy task but can be quite a challenging task.
And if you want to lay a blanket on the floor, you should always be in the mood for a picnic, which is not always possible. So it can’t be any permanent solution. So better try other options.
Cover the Noise-Producing Device or Machine with A Blanket
You will not have to deal with any other trouble if you can cover the sound-generating device itself with a soundproof blanket. The majority of people do this. Using a blanket to cover the air compressor will reduce its noise. There is no need to worry about this. You can refer to the instructions that come with the device. However, we offer some guidelines to help you do the task properly.
- Place a soundproof blanket over the device’s location.
- Place the machine right in the middle of the blanket
- Consider using a larger blanket to wrap the instrument all around.
- Now place another blanket over it
- Put the blanket behind and in front of it so that the emitted sound cannot escape.
- Consider security since you are using a device. Ensure the blanket is allowed to cover the machine.
Additionally, you can use these blankets as structures like timbers or chains, thereby forming a continuous barrier. It is often necessary to create a temporary sound barrier at events such as weddings or concerts; you can do this with second-skin soundproof blankets.
How to Install a Soundproof Blanket?
In many ways, soundproof blankets work the same way as soundproof fencing or soundproof enclosures. The key to a successful barrier is to ensure there are no gaps. Attach the soundproof blankets with heavy-duty Velcro edges and hang them with grommets. It will be best if you have a seam that runs from top to bottom in order to ensure the best airtight seal. You can try the above methods we discussed a little earlier.
Ideally, you should block the sound near the source of the noise. To do so, you can place a soundproof blanket near the source and make it more effective. Finally, make sure you hang the blanket higher than the source of the noise, so it will be easier to block the sound.
5 Types of Soundproof Blankets that Actually Work
By now, the effectiveness of soundproof blankets has probably convinced you that you need one. So, you should be aware of the various types of sound-blocking blankets so that you can select the one that is the most suitable for your needs. The following categories will help you narrow your search for sound-deadening blankets:
1. Moving Blanket
You can find moving blankets at the best prices within your budget among all soundproof blankets available.
Yes, we are talking about the moving blankets that many people use to protect furniture and other items during moves. Having some sound-dampening properties, they are large and thick. Aside from protecting things from scratches, these blankets also add density and absorb sound.
2. Sound Absorbing Blankets
Sound-absorbing blankets allow sound to pass through more easily without reverberating. As a sponge absorbs water, the fabric of these blankets absorbs noise. It is common to find sound-absorbing blankets in studios, concert halls, and recording studios. Again, a warehouse or loft area with a lot of noise would be benefited from these filters.
3. Acoustic Noise Reductions Blanket Panels
These blankets are best hung on walls to improve acoustics. In one piece, acoustic noise reduction blanket panels cover an entire wall. So, hanging them on the wall can reduce reverberation. They can absorb up to 95 percent of a room’s sound. It means, in a room with a lot of reverberation, they can help to reduce it.
4. Sound Absorption Sheets
There are several advantages to using these sound absorption sheets, including their thinness, lightweight, and small size, and they are more affordable than other types of acoustic blankets. Different colors are available to match your room’s theme. A combination of recycled cotton and cellulose is usually used to make them.
Therefore, they are a great way to soundproof your home. If they do not completely block the sound, they will definitely dampen it significantly.
5. Sound Blocking Blankets
These blankets are thick and stiff, making them ideal for dividing spaces and preventing noise from entering. By blocking the path of sound, sound-blocking blankets help to reduce the amount of noise. As sound travels straight in varying directions, it tends to follow a straight line. So, these blankets prevent those sounds in the air from moving through a room by acting as a barrier.
What to Look for in a Soundproofing Blanket
Whenever you decide to use a soundproof blanket in your room to block the sound, you should know how they are made and work. Buying blankets will be much easier with this knowledge.
Material: The soundproofing blanket manufacturing process is important to understand before purchasing one. It is typical for soundproofing blankets to have woven fabrics on their exteriors.
The material of this kind of blanket is typically acoustically transparent. Mineral wood, recycled cotton, and fiberglass are common materials used for these blankets.
Fabrics: Knowing the fabric of soundproofing blankets is important. Acoustically transparent and breathable fabrics should be your first consideration when searching for fabrics. In order to test the breathability of a blanket, simply blow in the air, and if the breathability disappears, then that blanket is the right one for you. You can also find acoustically transparent blankets if you can find breathable fabrics.
Thickness: Make sure you buy thick soundproof blankets for your room to block the sound. Because soundproofing is better if they are thicker. There will also be a reduction in thermal leaks. The fat is a blanket with a thicker one that is not too expensive even if you have little money.
Choose The Ones With Grommets: The advantage of blankets with grommets is that they are easy to hang. In fact, this soundproofing blanket looks quite nice if you value modern aesthetics, which is something lacking in many soundproofing blankets.
Price: There is no set price for this blanket, which is unusual. Depending on the price point, they can be cheap or high-end. There is a wide variety of soundproofing blankets with different pricing to choose from.
Conclusion: Does Sound Proofing Really Work?
Finally, blankets will provide you with several benefits in addition to soundproofing. Besides being a noise fighter, it can also serve as a thermal insulator and a light insulator. Hopefully, this article has given you a better understanding of how these blankets are effective for you.
