There are many ways to install sound & vibration dampers, but there’s only one optimal way to do it to achieve the best overall result, in this article we’ll dive into just that.
Over the years we have heard many ideas across the multitude of countries that we’ve worked with, some of the ideas were outright contrasting, which prompted us to research this matter in-depth.
There are a few types of products which are commonly referred to as ‘soundproofing’, based on the function of each product they have a specific optimal way of installation.
Vibration dampers:
Adhesion is a big issue for many installations we have seen. Vibration dampers function by absorbing vibration from the metal plate they are attached to. Any area or spot where the product is not in tight adhesion with the metal is an area where the product is not working at all, while adding extra weight. It is imperative to use rollers / pushers to ensure no air bubbles or any overhanging areas.
Coverage is the second point – vibrations damping products do not need 100% coverage of the surface, it is in fact detrimental. The reason being is once again the function of these products – they work by absorbing vibrations from metal, not by stopping passing sound waves. We have measured the relationship between the coverage and the resulting damping, as can be seen in the graph below the best results are achieved at around 80% surface coverage. Anything above that adds extra weight to the installation without adding any noticeable effect. These products do not need to be installed in a single sheet, they can be applied in stripes, circles, triangles or heart shapes if you so desire, as long as it reaches 80% coverage.
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Sound dampers
Adhesion: sound dampers are quite the opposite – they do not require tight adhesion. The most important factor to achieve is to ensure it does not drop off, especially in areas with moving parts such as inside the doors with sliding glass.
Coverage: again the opposite of vibration dampers – sound dampers directly absorb or reflect passing sound waves. As full coverage as possible is imperative for these products, any holes left will be the holes where the sound waves will leak into.
Sealers
Typically made of aluminium, these products rarely carry any sort of damping function, rather they are used to seal any holes to serve as a surface for installation of sound dampers or simply to achieve a sealed space, such as the box of the speakers.
Following these guidelines will ensure the effectiveness of the installed products – the final resulting noise damping is a 50 – 50 factor of product and installation quality.