Felt, that omnipresent material with its soft, huggable texture, has a surprising characteristic — exceptional sound absorption. The construction industry is witnessing an increasing demand for acoustic comfort, resulting in felt soundproofing as a popular choice for studios, offices, and even home environments. 

Yet, within the felt family there are materials that compete: natural wool felt versus its contemporary counterpart, recycled plastic felt. Both materials come with their own pros and cons.

In this article, let’s compare both, look at the degree of absorption they have to offer, and see which is the better choice. 

The Science Of Sound Absorption

Sound waves travel through the air, vibrating molecules as they go. When these vibrations encounter a sound-absorbing material like felt, the energy is converted into heat. The key lies in the material’s porosity – the amount of air trapped within its fibers. More air translates to greater sound wave dissipation.

Noise acts as a pollutant, and there are various methods to insulate your home from it. People add furnishings, put up paneling, use curtains, and upgrade their windows to double or triple gazing windows. If your home still feels like an echo chamber even after adding more soft furnishings, try this tip from interior designer Cathy. 

She recommends using inexpensive felt and attaching it to the backs of your pictures and mirrors. This simple trick can greatly reduce echo and remains completely hidden. Cathy suggests that this method effectively absorbs sound and minimizes reverberation. 

You can also apply felt to the undersides of tables and chairs to further enhance the acoustics in your home. This subtle and cost-effective approach can help create a quieter and more comfortable living space without altering your décor.

Wool Felt: The Timeless Maestro

Wool felt, a material created from sheep’s fleece, has been a champion of sound absorption for centuries. Its naturally occurring scales create a labyrinthine network of air pockets, ideal for trapping and dampening sound waves.

Recent studies by the National Research Council of Canada have shown that wool felt exhibits exceptional sound absorption coefficients, particularly for mid-range and high-frequency sounds, making it a favorite in music studios and home theaters.

Beyond its acoustic prowess, wool felt has several other advantages. Naturally flame-retardant, it offers an inherent safety benefit compared to some synthetic felts. Wool is also renowned for its durability, lasting for years without compromising its soundproofing properties. 

Additionally, wool felt allows for breathability, preventing moisture build-up and promoting a healthier environment.

However, wool felt isn’t without its challenges. The most significant hurdle is cost. Generally more expensive than recycled plastic felt, it can push budgets. It is susceptible to moisture, potentially losing shape and effectiveness in damp environments. Improper ventilation can also lead to concerns like mold and mildew growth. Finally, for those with wool allergies, the material can trigger irritation.

Recycled Plastic Felt: The Eco-Conscious Contender

Emerging as a strong contender is recycled plastic felt, a sustainable alternative crafted from post-consumer plastic bottles. This eco-friendly material offers several advantages. First and foremost, it is cost-effective as compared to wool felt, making it the perfect choice for budget-conscious projects.

A Swedish company, Baux, is manufacturing acoustic panels for soundproofing, made entirely from plastic bottles. Recycled PET plastic bottles are transformed into a version of sound-absorbing felt.

Recycled plastic felt also shines in its resistance to moisture. Unlike wool, it’s largely unaffected by water, making it suitable for damp environments like basements or bathrooms. Furthermore, its lightweight nature simplifies installation on walls and ceilings. Finally, the use of recycled materials aligns with the growing trend of sustainable building practices.

However, there are trade-offs. The sound absorption capabilities of recycled plastic felt, while effective, generally fall short of wool felt performance, particularly for crucial mid-range frequencies. 

Additionally, most recycled plastic felts are not inherently flame-resistant and this might call for extra treatment. Durability can also be a concern, with recycled plastic felt potentially showing wear and tear faster than its wool counterpart. Lastly, some recycled plastic felts might emit low levels of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) upon installation, requiring proper ventilation.

The Champion is Declared (By You)

So, who wins the soundproofing battle? Choosing the right felt for soundproofing isn’t a one-size-fits-all situation. You may want to remember the following:

• For superior sound absorption and a natural, fire-resistant option, wool felt reigns supreme.
• If budget and moisture resistance are key concerns, recycled plastic felt emerges victorious.

Even when it comes to soundproofing v/s sound dampening, companies like FeltRight emphasize choosing the right noise reduction solution depending on your needs. For musicians who require complete sound isolation, soundproofing might be the only viable option. This is also true for professions like YouTubers, streamers, and voice-over actors, where maintaining sound integrity is crucial.

However, soundproofing can be invasive and costly, often necessitating significant construction work that can alter your home. In contrast, sound-dampening materials offer a more flexible and affordable approach to noise reduction. These materials allow you to customize your space to reduce noise without breaking the bank or compromising your personal style.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):

1. Is All Felt Created Equal For Soundproofing?

Felt’s effectiveness hinges on thickness and density. Think of it like a net for sound waves – thicker, denser felts create a finer mesh, trapping more sound energy and offering superior soundproofing compared to thinner, looser felts.

2. Can I Install Felt Myself?

Yes, you absolutely can. Felt panels are DIY-friendly. They are generally lightweight in nature, which allows for easy installation using strong adhesives or even a simple picture-hanging system you might already have at home.

3. How Do I Clean Felt Soundproofing Panels?

Regular cleaning for felt panels is a breeze. For regular cleaning, gently glide a vacuum equipped with an upholstery attachment over the felt surface to remove dust and loose debris. For more stubborn stains or periodic thorough cleaning, consult the manufacturer’s instructions for tailored care recommendations.

As we look at ways to soundproof, it helps to have a multi-layered approach and move beyond felt. It’s important to remember that felt, while a fantastic sound absorber, is just one piece of the soundproofing puzzle. 

While felt excels at absorbing sound waves, it’s not a one-man show for complete soundproofing. To truly create a soundproof haven, consider teaming up felt with another hero – mass-loaded vinyl (MLV). MLV acts as a sound barrier, effectively blocking sound waves from penetrating your walls and ceilings. Together, felt’s absorption and MLV’s blocking power create a powerful one-two punch against unwanted noise.

MLV creates a barrier that effectively blocks sound waves, preventing them from penetrating walls and ceilings. A combination of felt for absorption and MLV for blocking creates a comprehensive soundproofing solution.

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