Difference between sound insulation and sound absorption
The terms sound insulation and sound absorption are often used interchangeably, but they have different meanings when it comes to noise protection and acoustic optimisation.
✔ Sound insulation = preventing sound transmission (e.g. between rooms)
✔ Sound absorption = improving sound absorption in a room (e.g. to reduce reverberation)
For an optimal sound insulation concept, both measures are often combined to reduce sound transmission and improve acoustic quality.
What is sound insulation?
Sound insulation refers to measures taken to reduce sound transmission between rooms, buildings or technical installations. The aim is to prevent sound from spreading from one room or source to another area. Sound-insulating materials have a high mass and density in order to block and reflect sound waves. Sound insulation plays a crucial role in building acoustics, automotive engineering and industry to minimise noise pollution and create a quiet environment.
Typical sound insulation materials:
✔ Heavy foils & composites – block and reflect sound
✔ Multi-layer insulation boards – increase the sound insulation values of walls, ceilings and floors
What is sound absorption?
Sound absorption describes the reduction of sound energy within a room or environment. The aim is to minimise reverberation and disturbing reflections in order to create pleasant acoustics. Sound-absorbing materials absorb sound waves and convert the sound energy into heat.
Typical sound absorption materials:
✔ Acoustic foams & acoustic non-wovens – reduce reverberation and reflections
✔ Broadband absorbers – multi-layer structures for broadband absorption
✔ Acoustic elements – minimise disruptive sound reflections in rooms
How does sound insulation work?
Sound propagates through air and solid materials – sound-insulating materials reduce the transmission of airborne sound through walls and ceilings and structure-borne sound by dampening vibrations and oscillations in solid components.
How does sound absorption work?
Sound propagates in the form of airborne sound or structure-borne sound. The use of sound-absorbing materials converts sound energy into heat, which noticeably reduces sound reflections and noise levels.
Areas of application sound insulation
✔ Machine cladding & housings
Minimisation of noise emissions in industry
✔ Heat pumps & HVAC systems
Reduction of operating noise to improve acoustic
comfort in living and working areas
✔ Automotive engineering
Prevention of engine and driving noise in commercial
vehicles, rail vehicles and boats
✔ Facing shells / partition walls
Protection against external noise and sound transmission
between rooms
Areas of application sound absorption
✔ Production halls & workshops
Noise reduction to increase occupational safety
✔ Machine cladding & technical equipment
Attenuation of operating noise directly at the source,
e.g. through sound-absorbing linings in housings, hoods or cabins
✔ Vehicle construction & rail transport
Improvement of acoustic comfort in vehicle interiors by
reducing engine and driving noise
✔ Room acoustics
Improvement of speech intelligibility in offices, schools, conference rooms
In brief
Sound insulation and sound absorption are two key measures for reducing noise – while sound insulation prevents sound from spreading between rooms or building components, sound absorption ensures that sound within a room is attenuated through absorption.
When combined, both methods enable targeted acoustic optimisation of technical equipment, vehicles, buildings and working environments.
Do you require a customised solution for sound insulation or sound absorption? Contact us – we will be happy to advise you!