It can be very frustrating to have large reverb or additional echo in a room when you are trying to record music, your voice, or simply having a phone conversation.
The echo creates unnecessary noise that can make it harder to hear anything. One of the most effective ways to solve this is by installing soundproof foam panels. But this begs the question: how big should the soundproof foam panels be?
This article aims to answer that question as well as provide insight into what soundproof foam panels are.
Let’s get started.
You can get soundproof foam panels as large or small as you want. But keep in mind that the larger an acoustic panel is, the more surface area it can cover. This also translates into a greater reduction in noise and sound.
Soundproof Foam Panels for Walls: What Are They?
If you are like most people, you have seen sound absorption foam panels in all shapes and colors pasted on the walls of recording studios. They are typically square or rectangular and constructed from soundproof material. These acoustic foam tiles cut down unwanted noise like echo and reverb. While you most likely have seen these acoustical panels hung on walls, you can also hang them on ceilings or add them to any hard surfaces.
What Are They Made From?
They are typically made from acoustic foam or polyurethane foam. This compound ensures the air resistance capability of the foam material is increased. It also makes it difficult for sound to travel quickly.
Some sound dampening panels use fiberglass. These acoustical panels can effectively create friction within air particles that disrupts sound wave energy.
Do They Actually Work?
Soundproof foam panels are effective because they are constructed from dense and thick materials that seamlessly absorb sound.
There is a direct correlation between the number of panels you have and how little reverb and echo you experience. To maximize their effectiveness, you need to know how to position them when placing them on the wall.
What Material Makes the Best Soundproof Foam Panels for Walls?
When choosing soundproof foam panels for walls, there is a wide variety of material and quality options.
Like any other item, they are great and poor-quality soundproof foam panels. You want to pick only good-quality ones to get the best soundproofing.
Here’s a quick rundown of the best materials.
12 x 12 Acoustic Panels Studio Foam
As the name suggests, these acoustic panels measure 12 x 12 and have a thickness of about an inch. You can expect one foam panel to cover a square foot. They are available in many colors and are stylish, too, so you can arrange them in a more aesthetically pleasing pattern.
One thing to note is that hese acoustic foam panels are not as thick as other materials on the list, so they might not be as very effective as the other options.
Egg Crate Panels
Egg crate panels are great for a home recording studio. These panels look great and are very effective at absorbing sound. Plus, they have a high NRC score.
Typically, egg crate panels measure about 2.5 inches in thickness. These sound dampening panels are a fantastic option if your room is large. They can easily cover 8 sq. ft. In most cases, you get two panels in a set, and they are straightforward to install.
Purchasing Soundproof Foam Panels for Walls
Here are some factors to consider before you buy soundproof foam panels at a local store or online.
Panel Count and Size
The size of the panels and how many you buy will impact how much noise or sound is in the room.
For example, if you purchase a soundproofing panel tile set that comes with 6 acoustic foam panels at 3 sq. ft., you will likely get a different impact compared to a 12-panel set that measures 4 sq. ft.
As a general rule of thumb, the larger the surface area you can cover, the greater the sound reduction you will experience.
Generally, you can get standard soundproof foam panels for walls in bundles that come with 6, 12, or 24 panels. These panels tend to measure anything from 1 to 8 sq. ft. for each panel.
To get the best out of your soundproofing efforts, you should cover about 50 sq. ft. of space in the desired room.
NRC Score
The Noise Reduction Coefficient (NRC) score measures how effectively an item can absorb sound. The rating has a range of 0 to 1, with 1 being the best soundproof score for any item.
Material Density and Thickness
The thickness and density of the material used to create the soundproof foam have a massive impact on reducing or blocking sound.
Typically soundproof foam panels are constructed with a thickness range of 2 to 4 inches. In other words, if you can find thicker panels, you should go for them. You can be sure they will be more effective at absorbing sound.
Surface Pattern
Typically, soundproof foam panels come with pyramid shapes or patterns. They can even appear like a 3D wedge.
Different patterns have different effects on sound. However, the difference is minimal and might be lost on you if you don’t have keen ears. In other words, you don’t have to sweat it if you can’t find a particular surface pattern.
Conclusion
As you can see, the size of your soundproof foam panels for your walls depends on a host of variables.
First, you have to consider the soundproof material you are getting and what size it comes in. Take note of the thickness.
Overall, you aren’t restricted to a certain size, as soundproof foam panels come in all sizes. The trick to getting an effective soundproof foam panel is to find one thick enough while also being large enough to cover a significant surface area.
