NEW ORLEANS Blog

What Kind of Insulation is Best for Soundproofing a Home Office?

With all of the different variants of Covid-19, some of us may be working remotely. Although working from home can be relaxing, it comes with its own set of challenges and obstacles. Being in a home office can be noisy and distracting. There may be dogs barking, kids yelling, or just general commotion. These can ruin a zoom presentation and disrupt meetings. 

There is a long term solution that can help with these issues...

Insulation is a cost-effective solution to any noise issues in your home and can help you save money on energy bills. 

Insulated walls are measured based on their Sound Transmission Class or STC. STC is the scale that determines how well a material resists sound waves passing through. For a more soundproof room, a wall or surface with a higher STC rating is recommended. 

Here is an easier way to think about it. If the walls in your home office have an STC of 25, a conversation on the other side of the wall is easily heard. A wall with an STC of 50 means the conversation will not be heard. 

Insulation falls in a range between 40 and 50 STC when it is installed between two drywall sheets. That means that it can effectively drown out sound. 

But there are different types of insulation. Which one is the best for soundproofing a home office? 

The best options are fiberglass batt, cellulose, and spray foam insulation. 

Fiberglass Batt Insulation: 

This insulation is one of the most cost-effective for new builds and typically has an STC of around 40-45 making it an excellent option for reducing noise. 

The downside of fiberglass is that it allows some airflow, which reduces the effectiveness of sound reduction. 

Cellulose Insulation: 

While other types of insulation can prevent some noise, the most effective insulation is cellulose insulation. 

The overall density of cellulose insulation helps to reduce sound moving through walls. Cellulose insulation has an STC of up to 70. 

It can absorb around 80% of sound that attempts to go through it. Additionally, this type of insulation can help limit the amount of sound from outside of your home and the sounds between rooms.  

Spray Foam Insulation: 

Spray Foam Insulation is great for new builds, but can also be installed in existing structures. 

Unlike fiberglass batt insulation, spray foam insulation does not allow extra airflow, it can be more expensive. It does, however, yield better results for reducing noise and increasing the energy efficiency of your home. 

But wait, there’s more.

In addition to reducing the noise in your home and saving your job, you also reap energy saving benefits! Your quiet home office will also be saving you money each month by reducing the amount of work your heating and cooling systems must do. 

Thinking about installing insulation in your home to reduce noise and save you money? 

Contact us at Koala Insulation of Greater New Orleans. Call us to consult with an insulation expert who has experience and understands the different types of insulation available to you. Our experts will help you choose the best option for your home and budget. 

Additionally, our team can determine areas in which air may be leaking through and allowing sound to travel more easily.  

At Koala Insulation of Greater New Orleans, we strive to provide the best service possible. Our experts will arrive with state-of-the-art equipment to evaluate and inspect your home to identify any areas of concern. They will provide a detailed assessment of the conditions of the space. 

By hiring Koala Insulation of Greater New Orleans, you will quickly be able to enjoy a more efficient home and the benefits from the professional installation will continue for years to come.