When it comes to choosing the best soundproofing paint, there’s nothing like doing some research and finding the most helpful and honest reviews on it.
As with every purchase online, you have to make sure you’re making the right investment, given that, whether you need it for your home or a working studio, soundproof paint can make or break your acoustic goals.
This is why we’re bringing you today some really useful sound absorbing paint reviews on some of the most popular options you can find on the Internet.
The idea of this is to give you a preview of what these options can accomplish for you, and let you know about the advantages of each of these paints.
But first things first, what exactly is soundproof paint? While it may sound too good to be true, sound-absorbing paint is a real thing you can use to reduce conversation-level sounds coming through your walls.
It is applied like any other regular paint, and it can diminish noise to 30%; this is why it is best used in combination with other sound dampening methods to get the full acoustic effect.
However, before you get your hands on a gallon of sound deadening paint, give this a read.
You’ll find out about the main benefits of acoustic paint, how to use it, what it is made of, and how it works to dampen sound.
You’ll also get to know about some of the best options in the market, to make it easier for you to pick the right one for your needs.
What is the best soundproofing paint?
At the time of writing, there’s only one wall painting product that’s made specifically for soundproofing walls and rooms, and that’s Acousti Coat Sound Deadening Paint.
The good news is – it’s pretty good stuff!
If you’re dedicated to giving your room the complete soundproofing treatment, give your walls up to three coats of sound-absorbing paint to block out all conversation-level noises.
The thick, heavy liquid will provide an extra layer of sound protection to our walls, and if you paint some of your furniture as well, then you’ll definitely notice a difference sound-wise!
What is soundproof paint made from?
The idea of making walls soundproof with just a coat of paint has been around for a long time.
Being able to paint the noise away in our homes or working environments could be a much more economic way of avoiding sounds from the outside, without investing in heavy, time-consuming materials.
This is why acoustic paint has made its way to being one of the most useful and interesting methods for dampening sound.
Its popularity comes from being a cheaper, easier way of getting sound-deadening walls, compared to installing panels and other equipment into your home.
Not that we have anything against that, it’s just that sound absorbing paint has turned out to be one of the most efficient ways to reduce external noise that doesn’t include messing with construction.
So, what makes sound-absorbing paint work?
As you might have guessed, it has to do with its ingredients and composition.
Acoustic paint is made of ceramic microspheres and thermacells, which are sound absorbing fillers that work as small cells, which in turn are vacuum sealed and filled with soft pigment.
These components make for a very thick, very heavy paint which is a lot denser than your regular oil-based paint.
When you first use it, you’ll notice this difference in texture immediately, finding that it doesn’t spread as easily as regular wall paint.
This also means that it has lower coverage, so make sure you get enough gallons to cover all of your surfaces.
Soundproof paint is water-based, which is a great step up from oil-based paint because it works a lot better absorbing noise.
Combined with the thermacells and the ceramic microspheres, this heavy paint is great for considerably reducing outer sounds.
The thickness of the paint also plays a big role in its sound deadening effects.
Given that you will probably use more than one layer, the consistency of the acoustic paint can do wonders in reducing your neighbors’ loud conversations or high volume TV shows.
However, you should know that applying as many layers as you want won’t make your walls completely soundproof.
Acoustic paint is known to reduce 30% to 50% of exterior noise, which still goes a long way if you need a more quiet home or working space.
Remember, the thicker the coat, the lesser the noise. Keep this in mind if you’re looking for moderate soundproofing, and regulate your acoustics by moderating the number of coats you apply.
How does acoustic paint work?
So now that we know what soundproof paint is made of, it’s time to know how it works when it comes to dampening noise.
Since acoustic paint is a very thick, water-based paint, you’ll find that technically it works as adding another layer to your walls.
This is why it is so good at diminishing exterior sounds as long as they’re on a midrange frequency, and also why they work so well at absorbing sound and preventing echo in your rooms.
What the materials found in every layer of soundproof paint do is cover your walls to the point of maximum noise absorption offered by paint, which can help in creating a more quiet and tranquil space.
The trick to making acoustic paint work is to actually work with as many coats of paint as possible.
The ideal amount of layers to apply is three, but you can always add more if you want a stronger effect.
However, while this kind of paint is very efficient for conversation-level sounds, you must know that it works best against midlevel frequencies.
This means that certain types of noises will be able to go through your soundproof paint.
Some of these noises include lower basslines and stronger vibrations, as well as high-frequency sounds such as loud music or very noisy people.
So, how much noise can you exactly expect for your paint to dampen?
The truth is that soundproof paint is great for light sleepers who find themselves awake with the slightest noise from their neighbors.
This means that sound dampening paint does wonders to keep late-night conversations at bay, or even TV sounds and music.
However, we can’t expect our coats of soundproof paint to completely block barking dogs, super loud music, or construction noises.
Nevertheless, it continues to be a great option for painting the rooms in your house, given that it actually does a lot more for dampening noise than regular paint.
In fact, this dense type of paint works both ways, preventing noise from leaving your room as well.
What’s more, the thickness of the paint provides extra heat for the room you apply it in, since its density works as a really good insulator.
This is why, in the end, painting your house – or at least a few rooms -, with soundproof paint can actually work out for you in more ways than one.
Where can you use sound-absorbing paint?
Sound absorbing paint can be used anywhere in your home or studio, going from every wall in your bedroom to certain pieces of furniture.
Remember that acoustic paint is great for absorbing impact and not just noise, so connecting walls should be one of your main targets if you want to reduce noise.
Exterior-facing walls are one of the first things that come to mind when wanting to use sound-absorbing paint.
By all means, you can use your paint on these walls as long as you know that the paint won’t do much in the way of blocking traffic or general loud street noises, especially if the wall has windows.
Furniture is another place where you can use soundproof paint, given that certain pieces of furniture like shelves, desks, and sideboards are actually used to dampen sounds from other rooms.
When you’re done painting your wall, consider applying an extra layer to any piece of furniture that rests against that same wall to help further block sound.
There is some debate about whether or not you should use sound-absorbing paint on your ceiling.
As well as this type of paint can absorb impact and sound, the reality is that apartment ceilings receive way more impact than any other wall in your home.
So even if you apply several coats, there won’t be much of a difference and there will be some wasted paint there.
Bedroom walls continue to be the most popular options when it comes to using acoustic paint, especially if one of the walls connects your place to your neighbors’.
This can happen to one of your bedroom walls, to your living room, and even your home studio, so soundproof paint is a great option if you need a little bit more peace in your spaces.
Keep in mind that you don’t have to paint every single one of your walls with acoustic paint.
Just go for strategic places that receive the most impact, including pieces of furniture, and combine it with other sound absorbing methods to get the most out of your soundproofing efforts.
You’d be surprised to see how the least likely of places can be the best recipient for come coats of sound deadening paint.
In fact, soundproof paint can do more for you than protect your rooms against noise.
Sound dampening paint is, in fact, also used in cars to block outside noises and structural noises that prevent you from enjoying a smooth ride.
Soundproof car paint works the same way as regular acoustic paint; it’s a very thick and dense liquid that creates a thin but solid barrier between midfrequency sounds and the inside of the car.
A really good option for sound dampening cars is this Second Skin Audio Spectrum Sound Deadening Paint, which not only helps you block out vibrations from the road but also provides the surface of your car with a protective thermal coat.
How do you paint soundproof foam?
Acoustic foam is one of the most popular methods to create a soundproofed environment.
However, there are a couple of things to know before you combine it with sound dampening paint if you want to block out as much noise as possible.
The first one is that acoustic foam is not really ‘soundproof’. What this material does is diminish echo and create an overall better sound quality and clarity within the room it is placed.
The foam achieves this thanks to the pores in the material that dissolves and absorbs sound waves, which help a lot reducing echo and reverberations.
Acoustic foam is super useful and practical, but it is not very pretty.
This is why those who have this material installed in their homes are always looking for ways to improve its final look, including adding a coat of soundproof paint. But, should you be painting your acoustic foam?
The short answer is no, you should not add any type of paint to your acoustic foam if you want it to work properly.
Many seem to think that painting the foam is the best way to make it look better. In reality, all paint does is clog the pores in the foam, rendering it useless after painting.
Even if I paint it with sound-absorbing paint?
Yes, especially if you use soundproof paint.
If regular paint is a big no for your acoustic foam, thick-and-heavy soundproof paint should just stay off-limits.
Remember that what makes acoustic foam special when it comes to improving sound, is its porous texture which dissipates and amplifies sound waves.
If you clog those pores with paint, you’ll be left with a solid surface that will make sound bounce and reverberate, completely nullifying the foam’s effect.
If you want to combine both the soundproof paint and the acoustic foam, then the best way to do it is by installing the foam on walls that have already been painted with several coats of sound dampening paint.
This the safest and most effective way to get the most out of both soundproofing methods.
Other soundproofing materials to use with sound dampening paint
If you really want to create a quiet, calm, and soundproofed environment, then the best thing you can do is combine the use of sound deadening paint (or soundproof wallpaper) with other sound dampening methods and materials.
Some of the best tools and complements you can find to block sound are:
Acoustic panels
Acoustic panels are one of the most traditional and effective ways to properly soundproof a room.
They do a great job working the acoustics in a room by diffusing, mitigating, and absorbing sound, making them really effective when it comes to lowering background noise.
You can install these panels in some walls, and add sound dampening paint to others to cover all noise fronts and properly combine both methods.
Acoustic foam
Otherwise known as soundproofing foam, this is another excellent material to combine with sound-deadening paint.
While the paint may reduce impact noises from the outside, the foam is a great way to reduce echo and reverberations to a minimum.
If you want to use both of these methods, install the foam panels over your previously painted walls.
As we said, do not paint the foam with the soundproof paint, since that will only take away the acoustic qualities of the foam.
Acoustic curtains
Lastly, acoustic curtains are one of the best soundproofing touches you can give our home.
These long stretches of fabric are highly porous and very thick, working in a similar way to acoustic foam and panels to diffuse and mitigate background noise.
These curtains are so thick, they not only block sound but also light, making them ideal for spaces that require the utmost tranquility and the least interference from outside factors.
All in all, soundproofing paint is a great way to reduce noise, but keep in mind that in order for it to work properly, it should be combined with other, more secure sound-dampening methods.