Acoustic panels can either be made from compressed wood, wool, or foam which absorb sound waves and reduce reverberation by transforming it into heat energy. We at Hush Echo specifically supply acoustic foam. Acoustic foam panels are made of polyurethane to help eliminate unwanted noise like reverb and echoes, and help improve audio quality.
They are a type of porous absorber that will enable soundwaves to penetrate the material's surface and flow into the fibrous cellular structure. High-density polyurethane foam panels are an excellent material for sound absorption and absorb sound over a large surface area.
There are two types of acoustic tools – absorbers and diffusers. Diffusers disperse any reflected sound waves away from the listener by reflecting them in different directions. Diffusers are often made of hard, angled surfaces.
Absorbers, on the other hand, do just that – they absorb sound waves instead of dispersing them. The acoustic foam absorbs the sound which reduces the energy in sound bounces as they come, while diffusers prevent the sound from bouncing off ceilings and walls. It is important to understand where the sound gets trapped in a room.
Reflected sound hits our ears later when we already experienced the direct sound. Both come from the same source at the same time but reflected sound travels further. The wall is a flat, uniform surface, so if you do not install acoustic panels, you will get a lot of reflected sounds.
Reflective barriers are straightforward and highly effective solutions but are suitable for confined places. In such conditions, absorption barriers are a better fit, except that the room may feel dull and unnatural. We recommend using both tools for a room situation for each acoustic solution to complement each other's drawbacks.
The benefits of using acoustic foam include:
- Decreased reverb and flutter echoes.
- Eliminated comb filtering.
- Reduced standing waves.
- Decreased room modes.
- Reduced sound pressure build-up in rooms.
They are common in areas where an accurate sound is of the utmost importance, such as commercial boardrooms, home theaters, home offices, music recording studios, shooting ranges, and in digital creative studios (YouTube, Tik-Tok, Podcast) which have seen a great increase in demand. So, you’re probably wondering why there are different shapes of foam panels and most importantly, how to install acoustic foam panels?
Well, we at Hush Echo have heard the questions and we have provided a homegrown solution.
How to choose the optimal shape for your sound panels?
There are different shapes of acoustic foam that provide you with varying degrees of sound reduction. The shape is actually a great contributor to sound absorption intensity. The flat or bevelled shape foam panels, with their smooth surfaces, provide the least amount of acoustic absorption.
On the other end of the spectrum, the metro shape with its complex design offers greater absorption across various frequency bands. The differing heights of the foam within each acoustic panel serve to absorb the sound energy and sound waves that come at different speeds.
Egg crate shapes are also an extremely popular option, not only for their dynamic and interesting design but also because their rounded “points” at the top of the egg crate shape offer a greater sound reduction experience.
What can you expect from us?
Aside from superior customer service and a surety that your acoustic treatment needs will be met, you can first expect to receive an on-time delivery.
In the box, you will receive the acoustic foam panels, the quantity of which will depend on your order, as well as an instruction manual telling you exactly how to install the panels.
Where should I place the foam?
The optimal placement is situated closer to the source of the sound. You can apply the acoustic foam panels between 60cm to 1m above the floor.
What problems do customers face?
The reality is that not everyone is a DIY expert, which makes the installation of our DIY foam panels a bit tricky for some, but an absolute breeze for others. Knowing where to install the acoustic foam panels and how to install the panels are some of the most common concerns that customers face.
People often ask what the best way is to install the foam panels, and our recommendation is that they use a glue gun for a better and more permanent solution. Because it is a permanent solution, trying to remove it may lead to damaged wall paints if you remove the panels at a later stage.
While nails and staples are also an option, they do also go straight into your wall and may chip your paint and finishings.
Lastely, you can use a generous amount of double sided tape or spray adhesives which can be purchased at your local hardware store. These serve as a temporary solution but be mindful about where you apply the adhesives as they might stick to your wall and if you try and remove it, you may remove your wall paint with it.
Take a look at our various collections of sound-reducing foam to see which would be best suited for you or to find out which panels will be best suited to your needs. Contact us at Hush Echo for more information.