Kansas City Soundproof Insulation | Koala Insulation

A Homeowner’s Guide To Kansas City Soundproof Insulation & FAQs

It’s easy to think that home insulation is solely about improving energy efficiency and thermal performance. But there is a lot more that your insulation material can do to increase your comfort, focus, and wellbeing. At Koala Insulation, we offer professional Kansas City soundproof insulation services to help soundproof a room or keep outside noise to a minimum.

 

As your locally-owned and operated Kansas City insulation company, we offer a lot more to our clients than high-quality thermal insulation. Those who are sensitive to noise or want to keep the sound of their music under control need efficient soundproofing material like acoustic insulation.

 

If your neighbor's 200Hz bass frequencies cause the floors and ceilings to vibrate, we’ll bring the unwanted noise reduction solution to you. So besides a thermal barrier, you will also be able to benefit from an effective sound barrier. There is a lot more you can expect from our experts at Koala Insulation. Soundproofing insulation is just one of the many insulation solutions we offer!

What Is Soundproof Insulation?

This type of insulation is specifically designed to help absorb sound waves by reducing sound transfer. It could be anything from traditional insulation material like fiberglass, foam boards or spray foam. But no matter what type of insulation you use, your goal is to keep noise levels to a minimum. This means that density and thickness play a big role in your soundproof insulation choice. Whether you are planning a new insulation installation or a retrofit, our team of Kansas City soundproof insulation pros have you covered.

 

In case you wonder what professional recording studios rely on: they use acoustic foam tiles, sound absorption panels, and bass traps. Because sound is a form of energy that travels, the best way to trap it or dampen its frequencies is to use efficient absorption panels. That said, the smaller the insulated space, the better sound quality you get. In your Kansas City home, you want a similar soundproofing quality to reduce noise transmission, and, luckily, there is a wide range of options. 

Does Koala Insulation Offer Soundproof Insulation In Kansas City?

We certainly do! You may be an audiophile who enjoys high-quality stereo sounds, but at the same time, you try to limit sound transmission so that other people at home will not be bothered. Or, you’re a work-from-home parent who needs well-insulated walls in your office, so your playing kids can’t disturb you. The standard sound transmission class (STC) of walls is 35 and can be improved with high quality sound insulation.

 

At Koala Insulation, our Kansas City technicians offer different types of materials with unique characteristics. Depending on your preference on thickness, our Kansas City soundproof insulation can increase the R-value, which will also control noise frequency ranges. 

 

• Fiberglass insulation: Fiberglass is one of the most common types used for interior and exterior walls, and attic insulation in residential and commercial settings and is deemed to be the most cost-effective choice that is easy to install. Fiberglass batts typically come as pre-cut sheets and when properly installed, they’re effective at reducing noise transfer. The thicker the batt, the bigger the noise barrier. A thickness of approximately 3.5 inches could improve your drywall’s STC by an additional 4.
• Blown-in: Blown-in or loose-fill is another popular choice for Kansas City homeowners, especially when choosing cellulose, which is made of recycled materials. Blown-in cellulose is an eco-friendly material that fills wall cavities and hard-to-reach gaps and cracks. Studies have shown that, as an air barrier, it acts 20% more efficiently than its batt counterparts. This also makes blown-in a highly effective and sustainable choice for sound deadening insulation!
• Spray foam insulation: Spray foam is by far the most superior type of insulation. Soundproofing may be of high importance, but it also provides excellent thermal properties and gives surrounding structures additional structural strength (also known as racking strength). Kansas City homeowners can choose between open-cell or closed-cell spray foam and benefit from an R-value of R-7 to R-12 per inch. It provides exceptional thermal performance as a vapor barrier and air barrier. Thus, it blocks sound transmission more effectively. While open-cell is only one expansive layer, closed-cell allows you to apply extra layers to better block our airborne noise and increase your indoor comfort.

 

If you are an experienced DIY professional in Kansas City and want to take matters into your own hands, the following material can help you get the job done.

Do Foam Boards Help Absorb Sound?

Unfortunately, foam boards are not the best insulation for soundproofing. However, foam board installation is DIY-friendly, but it requires knowledge and experience to install them properly and benefit from their high R-value. Foam boards are effective at thermal bridging prevention and temperature control, depending on the type of foam board you use. For example, polystyrene is not as durable as polyurethane. The two downsides are that it is expensive (often pricier than fiberglass) and does not block sounds well. Also, foam boards are considered to be highly porous materials and have a shelf life of just five to ten years.

Which Type of Kansas City Soundproof Insulation Provides The Best Acoustic Benefits?

Spray foam can deaden sound by up to 80% if you layer up. Overall, SPF has a similar STC as fiberglass, though providing exceptional, long-lasting thermal qualities. SPF is generally a more expensive material, but its benefits typically outweigh its cost for installation. However, it’s also not your only option. 

 

No matter what your needs and budget are for soundproof insulation in Kansas City, the team at Koala Insulation can provide you with an ideal, effective solution. If you’d rather not invest in SPF or you’re interested in exploring your other options, feel free to ask any of our knowledgeable experts for other recommendations that will add both temperature control and soundproof qualities to your home.

More FAQs About Kansas City Soundproof Insulation!

We have experienced technicians in our Koala team who are very knowledgeable about STC ratings. Our Kansas City soundproof insulation solutions are designed for property owners who are concerned about impact noises in their Kansas City homes or businesses. We also understand that sound energy is not always a pleasant thing when one is trying to concentrate on work or other duties. There is a lot to learn about Kansas City soundproof insulation services, and we are here to help answer your questions!

How Do I Properly Soundproof Walls?

When planning to soundproof the walls of a room, there are two ways. 

 

• A potential drywall demolition including Kansas City soundproof insulation services
• Add sound deadening insulation to your existing drywall, followed by a new drywall panel on top of it. 

 

If you choose the former, our insulation pros will ensure a hassle-free process whether we need to demolish existing drywall or not. The good news is that if you have existing blown-in cellulose that has deteriorated and become less effective, we can drill a few holes without opening up your walls. This is only a minimally invasive procedure during which we’ll blow in a new layer of fluffy cellulose on top of the old layer, including nooks and crannies. Not only will this restore your walls’ thermal performance, but it will also improve their soundproofing qualities.

 

By choosing the latter, Kansas City residents will be in charge of soundproofing their walls. But keep in mind that not all four walls may be affected by noise transmission. Therefore, we recommend locating where the noise comes from. Once you have picked the wall, locate the wall studs and fill the space with your chosen type of soundproofing insulation by attaching it to the studs. It can be acoustic panels or even industrial grade soundproofing composite made of polyurethane foam. Next, seal the seams to prevent noise leaks before installing a new drywall panel.

 

Please pay attention to your local building codes because drywall installation needs to follow industry standards.

 

We have found that audiophiles who attempt to create their own DIY Kansas City soundproof insulation fail to create a long-term system to enjoy. It ends up being a makeshift and a disappointment because they are not aware of other inherent problems that their walls, floors, or ceilings may have. Our expert Kansas City soundproof insulation pros will identify any underlying issues fast using advanced technology and offer long-lasting solutions. 

How Much Does Kansas City Soundproof Insulation Cost?

The cost will vary. Depending on the level of soundproofing preferred, our local pros will calculate the R-value in terms of thickness and density of your chosen material. Next, we’ll see how it transfers to your desired sound transmission class rating. If you give our friendly team a call, they may be able to give you a price range. The best way to determine the cost is during an in-home inspection and consultation, during which we will go into more detail about our products and their costs per inch.

Is There A Difference Between Soundproofing and Sound Absorption?

As a matter of fact, there is! Soundproofing is about keeping noise in a contained space, so it doesn’t travel outside, nor allow outside noise to enter. On the other hand, sound absorption is about improving sound by absorbing unwanted sound waves caused by background noises or poor acoustics. But this can also be a soundproofing quality.

What Are The Typical Soundproof Insulation Problems?

Typical problems include high expectations and purchasing the wrong materials. This is where many homeowners get confused about the difference between soundproofing and sound dampening.

 

The other problem is trying to soundproof large spaces because you would need to take care of various sources of sound travel before you are able to install your Kansas City soundproof insulation. Without an experienced technician, there is a lot of room for failure.

How Do You Measure Noise Transmission?

Besides the R-value rating, all of our Kansas City soundproof insulation materials have an STC rating as mentioned above to help determine the effectiveness of the system as a whole, whether it’s your bedroom wall or carpet floor. The higher the STC rating, the better the soundproofing performance.

 

In simple words, an STC rating of 25 to 30 is considered poor in residential homes because words are fairly well understood. An STC rating of 35 to 45 is considered good.

Which Is The Cheapest Option For Kansas City Sound Insulation? What’s The Most Expensive

The cheapest option may be fiberglass batts or blown-in cellulose. They are both cost-effective types of Kansas City soundproof insulation that can deliver an STC rating of up to 39 or 40 (depending on density and thickness).

 

The more expensive options would be spray foam and rock wool batts, but we are happy to give you more details when you schedule a consultation with one of our experts. 

Ready For Kansas City Soundproof Insulation Services?

We hope we were able to share enough information on our Kansas City soundproof insulation types and methods. It is an underrated topic, unless you are an audiophile who appreciates high quality acoustic insulation.

   

At Koala, we proudly serve property owners in Kansas City and surrounding areas, such as Olathe, Parkville, and Blue Springs. We invite you to give our friendly office staff a call at (913) 675-6722 today to find out more about our Kansas City soundproof insulation services.

 

While you are here, why not learn more about our air sealing, attic fan installation, and insulation removal services?