![]() That will make a conversation inaudible and loud conversation a murmur. Adding a 2” layer of EPS into the cavity so there is a 1-1/2” air space left, will improve the STC rating of the wall 5 or 6 points to 40 or 41. If you stand on one side, you’d be able to hear a normal volume conversation on the other through the wall, but not make out individual words. The use of EPS within partition walls decreases the transmission of sound through the wall by absorbing it and decoupling wall layers.Ī standard 2”x4” wall with 1/2″ of drywall on each side has an STC (sound transmission class) of 35. It has other qualities that come into play when it is used in wall construction that effectively decrease sound transmission through walls. However, EPS is effective when used with other materials to construct a sound barrier. Although it has sound absorbing characteristics, it doesn’t have the mass, so it won’t be an effective acoustic panel to hang on a wall. The characteristics of the material determine how it will interact with the noise.Įxpanded polystyrene (EPS) is a good thermal barrier, but by itself is a poor sound barrier. Soundwaves travel through the air until they encounter a barrier that reflects or absorbs it. Sound absorption is how a material controls sound by absorbing the sound waves and converting some of the energy to heat, so fewer waves pass through – effectively reducing noise. One or more layers of material are used to reflect or absorb sound waves and decrease its transmission. Soundproofing is the attempt to prevent sound from passing into or out of a space using noise reduction and absorption. What Is Soundproofing and Sound Absorption? Some sound waves get trapped within the open cell format and absorbed. However, open cell foam is a better sound absorber due to the open cell permeability. The denser material has a higher thermal insulation value. Open cell foams weigh between 0.4 and 1.2 lb/ft³ and closed cell closer to 3 lb/ft³, making them stronger and denser. It has an R-value of around 6.5 per inch. Air is trapped between the cells making it a better thermal insulator. The unbroken cell walls make them more rigid and hard. The cells keep their shape and are similar shapes and sizes. Its R-value per inch is about 3.5.Ĭlosed cell foam is not porous so air and moisture can’t pass through, so no vapor barrier is needed. The cells are different shapes and sizes, and their walls are broken, which makes it softer and flexible. Open cell foam is porous, and air and moisture can pass through, so it requires a vapor barrier. The product is a closed cell, but some airspaces or voids that make it potentially permeable. The heated beads expand and fuse to form the shape of the mold. It has low moisture or vapor permeability.ĮPS is made by infusing steam or heat into a mold containing small polystyrene beads. The surface is slightly rough, and individual polystyrene beads can be seen and removed. The stream is trimmed and cut into smooth surfaced thermal panels that are durable and strong.Įxpanded polystyrene foam (EPS) is often white and is used to form thermal (coffee) cups, coolers, craft supplies, and packaging materials. XPS is manufactured using polystyrene beads that are heated and mixed and pushed or extruded out to form a continuous stream of foam that hardens as it is exposed to air. The surface is smooth, and it is impervious to moisture penetration. Extruded Polystyrene insulation (XPS)Įxtruded polystyrene foam (XPS) we commonly see as blue or pink panels of rigid impact resistant insulation is used primarily in the construction industry. It is a trademarked brand that is used interchangeably by the public for different products and brands made of similar material. It is wrongly applied to expanded polystyrene foam used to form products. Styrofoam™ is closed-cell polystyrene petroleum-chemical formulation foam that is extruded to form panels. When used with denser materials that have greater mass, its soundproofing characteristics decouple and absorb with excellent results. Used by itself as a sound conditioning panel it doesn’t do much, however, molded into a quadratic diffuser or laminated to denser material, and it improves sound quality. Is Styrofoam good for soundproofing? Styrofoam is not good for soundproofing. After much reading and even more coffee, I decided to share so you can make an informed decision too. I wanted to know why, or why not, so I went looking for an answer. When I was looking into soundproofing my basement and making acoustic absorbers, I wanted to know “is Styrofoam good for soundproofing?” It’s light-weight and has thermal properties like fiberglass, but gets a big “Boo!” from acoustic gurus around the web. ![]()
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