How To Install Acoustic Insulation

Acoustic insulation is a great way to help stop noise travelling from one room to the other, or from outside the property to inside. Quality acoustic insulation also offers similar thermal properties to regular insulation, meaning it can be used as a substitute if soundproofing is required.

Installing acoustic insulation rolls or slabs is very similar to installing regular insulation of the same style. Once you’ve done it enough times, the process becomes second nature.

Installing Acoustic Insulation: What You’ll Need

Here’s a rundown of all the materials and tools you’re likely to need when installing acoustic insulation:

• Acoustic insulation (either rolls or slabs at your required thickness)
• Tape measure
• Serrated knife or saw (for cutting insulation)
• Personal protective equipment

Installing Acoustic Insulation: A Step-By-Step Guide

Note that insulation products can cause skin irritation, so you need to wear personal protective equipment at all times. 

1. Prepare and Measure Your Space

First of all, you need to prepare the space for acoustic insulation. You’ll need to remove any boards if working on an existing wall, and if you’re replacing previous insulation, you’ll need to clear the space in order to take accurate measurements.

After that, take measurements to work out the size and thickness required for your insulation. 

Unlike regular insulation, you mustn’t squeeze acoustic insulation into spaces where it doesn’t fit. Acoustic insulation is specifically designed with gaps that disrupt the flow of sound, and compressing it causes those gaps to disappear, reducing its effectiveness. Therefore, your measurements must be accurate while not leaving spaces that can cause insulation to lose its heat-stopping qualities.

The thickness of insulation you need will be determined by the thickness of the area it’s being installed. Because you don’t want to compress acoustic insulation, it’s generally better for it to be a little less thick than to have too much and force it to be compressed.

2. Cut Your Insulation to Size

Once you have your measurements, cut your acoustic insulation rolls or slabs to size with a sharp knife or saw.

As most acoustic insulation is made with mineral wool, you might notice the cutter dulls quickly as you’re cutting, so it’s worth having a sharpener on hand if you’re working through a lot of wool.

3. Install Insulation into Space

Once you have your insulation cut to size, simply place it into the spaces.

Because insulation naturally causes friction thanks to its materials, it will usually hold in place without additional support. As mentioned above, try not to press or squeeze the insulation into the space, as this will impact its soundproofing quality.

Adding ​​Additional Features for Soundproofing

Acoustic insulation is a fantastic way to add soundproofing qualities to a wall without losing out on the thermal properties of regular insulation. However, if you have a particularly acute problem, there are more things you can add while installing acoustic insulation to further the soundproofing abilities of the surface, such as:

• Acoustic Plasterboard
• Resilient Bars
• Soundproofing Mats
• Acoustic Hangers
• Acoustic Membranes

With quality acoustic insulation, combined with some of the features listed here, it’s possible to dramatically increase the soundproofing of any space.