The question of whether soundproof wallpapers work is not a new dilemma nowadays. Acoustic wallpapers are thought to have the potential for soundproofing space.
At the same time, there’s serious skepticism surrounding their dedication on soundproofing tasks. Some people refute this paper for sound insulation since it’s just paper like the other ordinary ones.
I can’t blame any of the two sides – those thinking that soundproof wallpaper can work or the negative side.
So, Does Soundproof Wallpaper Work? Soundproof Wallpaper works! You can use it to soundproof a room from low frequency noise and is one of the most overlooked solutions in modern soundproofing.
This material can be used to beautify a wall but it’s also indicated that they can help to dampen the noise that sneaks into a home.
The problem is that you can’t rely on it alone 100% – it simply would disappoint you.
What is Soundproof Wallpaper?
Soundproof wallpaper is a thin layer of beautiful paper that’s backed with another sound deadening material such as foam. The additional material provides a premise for soundproofing.
Without a doubt, the acoustic properties emanating from the foam make the wallpaper able to stop the general noise from spilling into the rooms. But, this cannot be effective with sounds in the high and low-frequency ranges.
What this tells us is that the acoustic wallpaper is not actually meant to be a soundproofing solution. Therefore, it’s not a reliable option to bank upon for your professional office or a home where noise has just become a disaster that needs serious urgent solutions.
The other aspect of these wallpapers is beautification. Usually, they are aesthetically pleasing and can help beautify your apartment or home.
Perhaps the reason for these wallpapers gaining popularity and splitting opinions in equal measure is due to the fact that they can do the two jobs at a go. Although they are clearly weak soundproofing options.
Does Soundproof Wallpaper Really Work?
This soundproof material is not just the regular wallpaper you know. This is an acoustical wallpaper that has some potential to block out some elements of outside noise from emptying inside your home.
Unlike the regular wallpaper, this material can make you see a slight difference in the state of things before and after its application. What this means is that it will cut off a certain percentage of noise.
Some noises that include loud neighbors and high TV volumes can be stopped up to a given level. These can be referred to as midrange frequency noises.
However, acoustic wallpaper cannot do more than that. You shouldn’t expect a significant change or a completely soundproof environment.
This is because no type of paper can be very effective in canceling or absorbing problem noise.
In fact, the material is not a great recommendation for serious noise problems. So, in case your target is to attain a library-like or studio-like atmosphere, I advise you try another alternative – I will be discussing different alternatives to this method later on in the article.
How Does Soundproof Wallpaper Work?
The structure of the soundproofing wallpaper features several sheets fused together. This makes it somehow easy to disrupt and weaken sound energy when sound waves travel from layer to another.
It’s pretty common that layers can be really great tools against sound travel. And in between these layers, are insulation sheets which further reduce the noise.
Note that the wallpapers are fitted with layers of either foam, latex or polyethylene – suitable soundproofing agents.
The thing is that still, you will hear your loud neighbor’s blasting music and the high traffic uproar on the street nearby. But with lowered noise-stopping expectations, any noises at low tones could be stopped.
The wallpapers can be installed on the wall of the room, ceiling or even the floor. But if this is your go-to method to reduce low-frequency noises, you would be required to replace the wallpapers regularly to ensure that they remain effective.
Benefits of Soundproof Wallpapers
Using sound-absorbing wallpaper provides one of the cheapest methods for soundproofing. That’s if your goal is cutting off low to mid-frequency sounds.
Besides, the wallpaper also adds an aesthetic appeal to your home. In its original form, it is the perfect decoration for a home.
So that after completing your soundproofing project, you won’t get right into another junk of work to decorate your home.
Another benefit of this simple method is that installation of the wallpaper is quick and easy. Just as simple as smearing your wall with a suitable adhesive and then stick it in a straight position.
Once you have this material papered, you won’t just block off the background noise from outside but also anything inside the room will not find its way outside. And this can be very important in creating a stereo-like environment ideal for movie watching or gaming.
Here are Alternatives to Soundproof Wallpapers
For sound-insulating, wallpaper will definitely not live up to its task. The impact noise of a rowdy neighbor or the car hooting on a highway won’t be handled even an ounce, by use of these soundproof wallpaper materials only.
The good news is that there’s a whole range of better alternative soundproofing products you can apply to solve the problem noise once and for all.
1. Acoustic Foam Panels
This is actually not the first time I have covered acoustic foam panels. But the fact remains still that these panels are the best when it comes to professional soundproofing.
Acoustic panels will not just deal with low-tone sound but also the severe extremes of it. The design is such that they constitute a layer of sponge-like materials.
Now, this explains why acoustic panels reduce noise by absorbing the sound. In the process, there will be no sound reverberating around your room.
Acoustic panels come in different color schemes. While they might not be the beautiful thing around, you can afford to sacrifice décor for peace and quiet.
These materials are very common in acoustic studios as they also improve the stereo system of a room. You will need to keep cleaning the panels regularly as they normally catch dust fast.
2. Mass Loaded Vinyl
Among the best alternatives to soundproof wallpapers is the mass loaded vinyl. MLV consists of rubber material in a panel-like form.
It’s highly recommended for stopping serious noise problems such as traffic noise, conversations, loud music among others. The panel is dense and thick – and it’s these two features that make it one of the go-for solutions to preventing noise from spilling inside a room.
Mass loaded vinyl works as a sound barrier. What this means is that it reduces noise by reverting it back to where it came from rather than absorbing it.
The result is a quiet environment. Now you can add your beautiful soundproof wallpaper to make the room or apartment look stunning.
The installation of the MLV can be done on the walls, ceiling and even sometimes on the floor when it matters. Installation is not the easiest task with this material; so, be prepared to spend some hours on the job.
Related Post: How much does it cost to soundproof a room?
3. Acoustic Paint
The next thing is the acoustic paint which many wouldn’t believe, just as it’s the situation with soundproof wallpaper. However, acoustic paint is slightly more effective compared to the material under debate but only when the paint is applied in several layers.
With these paints, the mid-range sound waves can be damped effectively. And the application of paint will not take up much of your time, it’s simple.
You can spray the paint or use a brush or rollers to apply it on the walls. The paint comes in different colors and if you choose the right one, you will like the improved appeal of the walls.
4. Weather stripping
Find out any holes, cracks, crevices in and around the door or window. If you identify these openings, you can use weatherstrip to seal them.
Sound waves are very opportunistic and just about any tiny channel would spill in the house a lot of noise.
5. Interior Decorations
Ensure that you rearrange your furniture in the house. Place the heaviest furniture close to the wall – for example, the bookshelves, cabinet, sofas, etc.
Add more plants and hang paintings and pictures to cover specific areas on the wall. These will serve as obstacles to the soundwaves going through the wall.
You can be assured to some extent that combining this method with your sound deadening wallpaper would add some acoustic value to the room. And, most interestingly, you achieve this feat for cheap without spending a coin.
One of the downsides of this method is that the house might get overcrowded. This can restrict free movement.
Related Post: Best Soundproof Blinds that Really works
Conclusion
Firmly speaking, soundproof wallpapers will not prevent all the noise from entering your home. In fact, this is not in itself a product meant for out and out soundproofing projects.
You can use soundproof wallpapers for light tasks like stopping low-tone conversations, high TV volume, etc. but for serious noise issues, you will need some other alternatives as highlighted in this guide.
Hopefully, your question was answered as you expected.
Just a little reminder; this product packs good looks. So, actually, you wouldn’t mind using it to leverage this particular quality.
