In this blog, I will share some facts and information with you which will make you understand the question if mattress toppers are soundproof effectively or not. We will be going to define different methods with which we will make sure if this work or not. The procedure will be thoroughly explained and it will be budget-friendly very cost-effectively. So, let’s get started!
There are numerous suggestions for soundproofing a room on a shoestring budget. My acquaintance recently experimented with mattress foam toppers as a low-cost soundproofing solution. I was doubtful, so I decided to investigate further.
Can Mattress Topper Soundproof Effectively?
Although mattress foam toppers can aid with echo and sound distortion, they won’t soundproof a room. It isn’t built for this type of work and lacks sufficient mass.
Mattress foam isn’t useless in an audio management project just because it’s not very effective at soundproofing.
Here are some scenarios in which you might wish to use a mattress foam topper in your project, though I would always recommend using a specific audio management device.
Mattress Foam Toppers and Soundproofing
As I already stated, mattress foam isn’t going to help with soundproofing. If you have any, take a look at some mattress foam (without destroying your bed, of course). It’s worth noting that you can almost see light through it. As a result, the sound will easily pass through it as well.
Mattress foam, on the other hand, does resemble the material found on the walls of recording studios. This is most likely why individuals attempted it in the first place. The major problem is that the material you see on the walls of recording studios is for audio control, not soundproofing.
The substance is known by several names, the most common of which is “acoustic foam.” It has the appearance of foam egg cartons or mattress foam. This gear is decent at what it does, but it’s not soundproof.
While recording studios need to be soundproof, this is done in an old-fashioned manner, with plenty of mass in the walls and sound absorption techniques like decoupling. It’s unlikely that you’ll even notice the soundproofing materials.
The visible acoustic foam on the walls is for audio control rather than noise suppression. This means it fights echo, reverberation, and sound distortion, all of which are important to eliminate from an audio recording.
These features are also useful in a variety of soundproofing applications, such as a recording studio or a home theatre. Acoustic foam will aid with audio quality and sound distortion, but it will not help with sound leakage into or out of the space.
Acoustic panels and bass traps are available in addition to acoustic foam. These are all designed to achieve the same thing: control audio within the room to increase sound quality rather than blocking or absorbing sound waves.
As a result, mattress foam, like egg cartons, is a bit of a soundproofing red herring. Unlike egg cartons, though, I believe that mattress foam has a place in a soundproofing endeavour, especially one on a budget. Some reasons why you might wish to utilise mattress foam are listed below.
| Material Needed |
| Soundproofing Materials. |
| Acoustic Foams |
| Acoustic Panels |
| Bass Traps |
Is Mattress Foam Worth Using for Soundproofing?
Soundproofing a room in your home can range from a simple weekend job to a huge DIY remodel, depending on several factors, the most important of which is your budget. A good soundproofing project can be quite costly, especially if you have a large area to work with.
As a result, many people seek out low-cost DIY soundproofing alternatives to more typical soundproofing materials. This is most likely why mattress foam was recommended, especially given its resemblance to acoustic foam.
However, regardless of your budget, the most important thing to know when soundproofing a room is that mass is the best way to block or absorb sound. Because sound waves just vanish against a limbo mass like MLV, it is great for audio management.
| Material Needed |
| Mass Loaded Vinyl |
However, there are a variety of reasons why you would want to incorporate acoustic management solutions into your space. You might have a huge home studio with a great surround sound system, for example. Controlling echo, especially from your subwoofers, will help you get the most out of your well-positioned speakers.
Acoustic foam, often known as bass traps, can help with this. Controlling echo and reverberation, as previously said, will result in a cleaner, crisper sound, which is critical for the greatest possible audio experience.
Mattress foam, whether from a disassembled mattress or a mattress protector, is a less expensive alternative to a custom-made product. I spent some time playing with it after my friend installed some in his room (blindly before testing, I should add) to see whether it did anything.
It did, however, assist to enhance the audio quality, albeit only slightly. It’ll never be as good as genuine acoustic foam, but it’ll get the job done. My pros and cons for using mattress foam for acoustic management are as follows:
| PROS | CONS |
| Mattress foam is inexpensive and easy to come by, which is advantageous because you’ll need a lot of it. | While it improves audio quality, it’s no substitute for acoustic foam, which is made expressly for this purpose. |
| It provides a small boost in audio quality, but placement and use must be carefully considered. | Above all, mattress foam is ineffective at soundproofing. |
| Mattress foam is a relatively simple material to work with. If you’re handy with a sewing machine, making it more unobtrusive shouldn’t be a problem. | Mattress foam isn’t the most appealing product on its own, so if you want to prevent sound, go back to the design board. You’ll have to spend time either hiding it or making it look more appropriate for the space. |
| While mattress foam isn’t particularly expensive, the quality acoustic foam won’t set you back much more. And if you’re on a tight enough budget to contemplate it, I’d skip the acoustic control and instead focus on soundproofing. |
Alternatives to Mattress Toppers
Mattress foam isn’t the finest product to use in a soundproofing endeavour, but it is a good option if you’re on a budget. There are certainly more effective DIY soundproofing and acoustic treatment options. Here are a few of my recommendations:
Moving Blankets
The use of heavy furniture moving blankets (such as those used by moving companies) to line the walls is becoming increasingly popular in the realm of soundproofing. Is this, however, truly effective?
We return to the subject of mass once more. Normal blankets will do almost nothing; however, they may help with echo reduction. Because they’re designed to protect furniture during transit, moving blankets are thicker and heavier.
Moving blankets aren’t the most effective (or appealing) solution, but if you’re on a budget, they’re worth a shot. If you’re going to use blankets, make sure they’re the heaviest and densest you can find; otherwise, you’ll be wasting your money.
While you can tack or glue them to the walls, you might want to consider placing curtain rails along the wall so that the blankets can be pulled back when not in use. Cover your doors and windows with blankets to protect the weakest spots.
| Material Needed |
| Moving Blankets |
Window Plugs
Window plugs are simply wooden boxes with soundproofing materials filled inside. This can be whatever you can get your hands on, but mass loaded vinyl or butyl rubber mats like Dynamat are the best options.
When these can be highly successful at fighting one of the room’s weak points, they mean you’re losing light and fresh air while they’re on. These window plugs, on the other hand, have the advantage of being temporary and hence only need to be used when you need a quiet space.
| Material Needed |
| Window Plugs |
| Dynamat |
The soundproof materials will be the most expensive component of this solution, but you can spend as much as you wish on them. You may save money by utilising a DIY soundproofing product, but I’d advocate using the correct materials for this type of project. It’s doubtful that you’ll spend a lot of money if your windows aren’t huge.
Carpets
First and foremost, carpets do not help with soundproofing. Similar to mattress foam, however, putting carpets on the floor will significantly improve acoustic treatment. Hardwood floors will exacerbate the echo problem; however, carpets will help.
The goal is to choose the thickest carpet you can because this will help to lessen the bounce of sound waves. I’d also suggest carpeting the ceiling with carpet to add to the overall look. However, keep in mind that carpet is no more successful than other DIY products, so it should be used with caution.
| Material Needed |
| Carpet |
Scrap Materials
Any solid material that can be fire-treated can be used to fill the walls with soundproofing material. Fibres, spent cement, wood scraps, sawdust, packaging materials, and some recycled materials are examples.
Any dense material that may be employed in thick walls creates a barrier that prevents sound from passing through.
Walls can be filled with sand, gravel, clay, or even dirt.
The chambers of a freshly constructed professional recording studio are suspended on a suspension system with little contact with the support structures. Recording studios are separated from other rooms by thick concrete walls.
Egg Crate Mattress
These mattresses and covers are made of foam that resembles an egg crate. Egg Crate Mattress costs roughly the same as acoustic foam when purchased fresh.
However, you might be able to discover a mattress company willing to give you the material within the old mattresses for free or at a reduced price.
Due to health and safety concerns, used mattresses cannot be sold to another individual to use for sleeping. Then there’s the matter of getting rid of the old mattresses.
They usually dismantle them into components and recycle the metal. However, the foam is frequently discarded. This could be a source of items for soundproofing and blocking sound leaking from your space that you can get for free or cheap.
| Material Needed |
| Egg Crate Mattress |
Conclusion
So, the most important thing I discovered is that mattress foam is ineffective in soundproofing. It can, however, help manage audio quality in the same way that acoustic foam can. It’ll suffice for individuals on a tight budget, but if you have the funds to spend on audio management software, I’d recommend investing in the genuine thing. Mattress foam will never perform as well as memory foam, thus it isn’t always worth the money.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Can foam mattress toppers be used for soundproofing?
As we have checked and discovered in the blog that mattress foam toppers can aid with echo and sound distortion, it cannot soundproof a room. It isn’t built for this type of work and lacks sufficient mass.
Does memory foam make good soundproofing?
Soundproofing with memory foam is not a smart idea. It is, nevertheless, an effective material for dampening sound since it absorbs rather than reflects sound waves, reducing echoes and the distances sound can travel in a given space.
Can I use any foam to soundproof?
Wedge foam is particularly good at dampening mid-to high-frequency noises. Wedge foam portions can be used with various types of acoustic foam to increase soundproofing in specific regions of the space.
Is foam a good sound absorber?
Foam is excellent at absorbing undesirable noises. Acoustic foam, like earplugs, offers users with the noise reduction properties they desire. These divinely-sent pieces absorb sound, allowing whatever noise you make inside to stay inside while outside noise stays outside.
Does high-density foam block sound?
Acoustical foam is porous and allows sound to pass through, therefore it does not obstruct sound. Years ago, for example, some speakers used foam as the speaker grille cover.
Can egg crate foam be used for soundproofing?
The foam absorbs sound and minimises reverberation times, making it ideal for sound and noise control. Recording studios, home cinemas, television studios, and a variety of other industrial and commercial uses all use egg crate foam soundproofing.
Sources
http://forum.cakewalk.com/Cheap-Soundproofing-m1468614.aspx
