Soundproofing is one of the easiest ways to improve your overall quality of life; this is especially true if you happen to live in a noisy apartment building or anywhere with loud neighbors. Although the installation can sometimes be expensive, there are still ways to soundproof a room without completely redoing the original construction – a common method is using soundproof tiles on the floors or ceilings.
Soundproof tiles are a quick, simple, and affordable way that work in reducing the amount of noise that comes in and out of a room but will not be as effective as drywall and insulation. Nonetheless, soundproof tiles are excellent as they can be built over existing floors and ceilings.
Choosing whether to get soundproof tiles for your home and deciding which ones to get are decisions that are easier to make the more you know about them. Let’s go over what soundproof tiles really are, some of the most common types of soundproof tiles, how much you can expect to pay, and which types are the best for soundproofing purposes.
What Are Soundproof Tiles?
Soundproof tiles are just as the name suggests; tiles, which are usually intended for ceilings but can sometimes be used on floors, that are made from materials that help to block out sound from outside sources. These tiles will also help to keep noise from exiting, so you are free to make more sound without having to worry about bothering your neighbors.
One of the reasons soundproof tiles are great for ceilings is because it requires no drywall installation – they can be attached over an existing ceiling.
It’s important to note that soundproof tiles on your ceiling or floor will not soundproof a room entirely. If you have walls or windows that are not constructed with noise-blocking materials, these are areas that you should look to add soundproofing as well as your ceilings or floors. In order to completely soundproof a room, the walls, floors, and ceilings must be fixed.
Now that you know what they are exactly, we can explore some of the most common types of soundproof tiles.
Types of Soundproof Tiles
There are quite a few different types of soundproof tiles, all with their own benefits and downsides. Some can be quite expensive, while others are cheaper. However, they will all help to reduce sound travel to some extent.
So, before we get into the prices of these tiles and which ones are best for soundproofing purposes, let’s go over the most common types of soundproof tiles that you can buy.
Acoustic Foam
Acoustic foam, a commonly used material in plenty of soundproofing products, is an open-celled foam that reduces the amplitude of sound waves.
As the name suggests, this material is best used to increase the quality of acoustics in a room, which is why it’s often used in music studios. Tiles made from acoustic foam will not be as sound blocking as other types of materials, so if you have a lot of noise you hope to block out, this is not the option for you.
This is a cost-effective option for soundproof tiles.
Melamime Foam
Melamime is a nitrogen-rich material that offers great soundproofing abilities, which is why it is a very commonly used material for soundproof tiles.
According to tests, tiles made form melamime foam will absorb up to 80% of the echoes in your room. Depending on the quality of melamime that is used to make ceiling tiles, they will be very helpful in blocking out loud noises and reducing the amount of sound that escaped your room.
Rigid Vinyl
Rigid vinyl is a material that is often used in soundproof tiles due to its lightweight and flexibility, making it very easy to install over pre-existing ceiling tiles.
According to studies, ceiling tiles made from rigid vinyl can absorb up to 85% of sound that hits it without bouncing back. So, the sound blocking qualities of this material is powerful, and you will see a noticeable amount of reduced noise upon installation.
An added benefit of tiles made from rigid vinyl is insulation for heat in the cold months and coolness in the hot months.
Polyester
Polyester is a material that most people are familiar with as it’s used for many clothes and fabrics. However, it is also utilized for its soundproofing abilities.
In addition to blocking out unwanted noise and sound, polyester tiles are one of if not the most durable. These tiles can also be recycled, so if you like to be eco-friendly, polyester soundproof tiles are a great option for you.
Compressed Fiberglass
In addition to its soundproof qualities, panels made from fiberglass are often chosen because they are typically a cost-effective option. Although they might not block as much sound as some of the other materials, fiberglass tiles are a sleek option for soundproofing a ceiling.
Now that you are familiar with the different materials that are most often used in soundproof tiles, let’s evaluate how much you can expect to pay for each type of tile.
Prices of Soundproof Tiles
As you can expect, the amount you spend on soundproof tiles will vary greatly. The cost of tiles will depend on not only the materials but the company who makes them, where they come from, how they look, how many tiles you need, installation costs, and many other factors.
The average prices for soundproof tiles made from these materials are as follows (all prices based on Amazon.com prices):
- Acoustical Foam – Around $20 per tile
- Melamime Foam – At least $25 per tile
- Rigid Vinyl – At least $30 per tile
- Polyester – Up to $30 per tile
- Compressed Fiberglass – Around $20 per tile
Although the price point for tiles is an important factor for many, if you have the budget for it, some of these materials are better than others when it comes to actually blocking out sound. Usually, the more you pay, the higher the quality, and the better the soundproofing.
Now let’s look at which tile material is the best for soundproofing floors and ceilings.
Best Tiles for Soundproofing Floors and Ceilings
The best tiles for soundproofing purposes are those made from rigid vinyl. Although these will cost more than some of the other tile materials, the amount of sound that they block out is significant.
Arguably, if you either can’t afford or can’t find tiles made from rigid vinyl, the next best option is melamime foam. Tiles made from this material are almost as soundproof as rigid vinyl and also slightly more inexpensive.
Make sure to do your research when purchasing soundproof tiles- just because a company claims that its tiles are made from rigid vinyl, doesn’t mean they aren’t using poor quality materials and construction. That said, a tile is made from rigid vinyl will likely be better than others for soundproofing, even if the quality is less than average.
Conclusion
If you want to reduce the noise that comes in and out of a room, then adding soundproof tiles to your floor or ceiling is one of the best ways to do so.
Choosing which soundproof tiles to install depends on how much you want to spend and how much noise you need to block out.
For an inexpensive soundproofing option, tiles made from fiberglass are perfect; if you want the best tiles that money can buy with maximum soundproofing abilities, then tiles made from rigid vinyl are the way to go.