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Soundproof Blankets vs Moving Blankets
Author: Sturgeon Christie
Last Updated: February 9, 2024
Read Time: 7 Minutes
Soundproof Blankets vs. Moving Blankets
Author:
Sturgeon Christie
Last Updated:
February 9, 2024
Read Time:
7 Minutes
Author: Sturgeon Christie
Updated: Feb. 9, 2024
Read Time: 7 Minutes
If you are deciding between soundproof blankets and moving blankets, chances are you’re a homeowner or renter looking for a bit of noise control that you can easily remove down the road. The good news is that making a decision is actually pretty straightforward – it depends on the noise issue.
Let’s go ahead and spoil the ending at the beginning. We’re a soundproofing company. We sell soundproof blankets. We choose not to sell moving blankets for soundproofing, because we don’t like having unhappy customers. That’s not to say there are never situations where moving blankets wouldn’t be helpful, but even in the best of situations – the results are modest. We just aren’t in the business of recommending things that “kind of work sometimes”.
There it is – you know the basic answer. There’s a more complicated answer though, and understanding that answer requires you to understand a bit more about how sound works. In this article, we’ll go into those details and help you understand the differences between soundproof blankets and moving blankets at a deeper level. Let’s get to it!
If you are deciding between soundproof blankets and moving blankets, chances are you’re a homeowner or renter looking for a bit of noise control that you can easily remove down the road. The good news is that making a decision is actually pretty straightforward – it depends on the noise issue.
Let’s go ahead and spoil the ending at the beginning. We’re a soundproofing company. We sell soundproof blankets. We choose not to sell moving blankets for soundproofing, because we don’t like having unhappy customers. That’s not to say there are never situations where moving blankets wouldn’t be helpful, but even in the best of situations – the results are modest. We just aren’t in the business of recommending things that “kind of work sometimes”.
There it is – you know the basic answer. There’s a more complicated answer though, and understanding that answer requires you to understand a bit more about how sound works. In this article, we’ll go into those details and help you understand the differences between soundproof blankets and moving blankets at a deeper level. Let’s get to it!
Is It Soundproofing or Acoustics?
Many DIY soundproofers get confused between soundproofing and acoustics. While they may seem similar, treating these two issues requires different materials and strategies. A good starting point is to break down the difference between soundproofing and acoustics so you can determine which issue you are dealing with.
What is Soundproofing?
Soundproofing is the process of blocking sound from traveling into or out of a space. If you can hear outside noise from a construction site, neighbors talking through the walls, or dogs barking, you are dealing with a soundproofing issue and should treat your space increase the density of the barrier and seal up air gaps.
what Is Acoustics?
Acoustical issues occur when sound waves bounce off the hard surfaces of a room, creating echo or reverb. Acoustics is more about quality of sound than whether or not you hear something at all. Bad acoustics can make having a conversation difficult as noises bounce around the room and are heard over a longer period. To treat acoustical issues, you’ll want to soften the hard surfaces using absorptive materials.
Soundproofing With Sound Blankets vs Moving Blankets
Three Soundproof Blanket Rules:
- You need density to block noise.
- True soundproof blankets are tested - look for an STC rating.
- You need 100% coverage for a sealed barrier (and good results).
Here are some things to keep in mind if you are looking into soundproofing a room or space with blankets.
What Makes A Good Soundproof Blanket?
As we mentioned above, soundproofing a space requires density and an airtight installation. Imagine trying to communicate with someone through a canvas tent or a brick house. Obviously, it will be much harder to hear each other through the brick walls because of how dense the structure is.
This is precisely what makes a soundproof blanket effective. The thicker and heavier the material is, the better it will be at blocking sound. Our Quiet Quilt Soundproof Blanket is combination of mass loaded vinyl and a quilted absorber face. The standard size (4.5’ x 8’) for the Quiet Quilt Soundproof Blanket weighs about 54 pounds, so it has some heft to it – great for blocking sound.
Another thing to look out for is whether or not the product is STC rated (sound transmission class). The STC Rating is a standardized measure of how well a material or assembly is at blocking airborne noise. Products with higher STC ratings block more noise. If the product is not rated for blocking sound, it probably doesn’t.
Are Moving Blankets Good For Soundproofing?
No, moving blankets are not good for blocking sound (soundproofing). Your typical moving blanket weighs between 3 and 8 pounds. If you were to hold a moving blanket and a Quiet Quilt soundproof blanket side by side, the difference in thickness and weight would be obvious.
Nobody would bother paying for an STC test on a moving blanket, because it’s basically as dense as cardboard.
If the goal is soundproofing, do not bother with moving blankets.
Treating Acoustics With Moving Blankets vs Sound Blankets
Just because moving blankets should not be used for soundproofing does not mean that they cannot be helpful for acoustics. Soundproofing and acoustics are different! Let’s take a look at moving blankets acoustical treatments?
Moving Blankets vs. Acoustic Blankets
When looking for an absorptive acoustic material, you should look at the NRC rating (noise reduction coefficient). This reading determines how absorptive a product is and how well it performs as an acoustical treatment. Acoustic blankets such as our Quiet Quilt Acoustic Blanket are designed specifically to absorb sound and reduce echo/reverb in a space.
Moving blankets are actually a relatively effective acoustical treatment when precision isn’t needed. They won’t have an NRC rating, so it’s hard to know how many you need. But they can be used to cover hard surfaces and add some sound absorption into a room. Because they are not very thick, moving blankets will never be effective for controlling low frequency noise and you’ll need more square footage to get the same effect as our 2” thick Quiet Quilt Acoustic Blanket.
Remember, neither acoustical blankets nor moving blankets are designed for SOUNDPROOFING; these materials are not dense enough to block sound from traveling in or out. Instead, they are designed to absorb noise inside a space. You may notice a slight reduction in overall noise due to the reduction in reverb, but the effect will be small (no more than 20%).
Moving blankets vs. Acoustical Foam or Acoustical Panels
Acoustical foam and acoustical panels are more effective for noise control inside a space than moving blankets – but they all can be used for similar purposes as an acoustical treatment. As mentioned with the acoustic blankets, you’ll need more square footage of the moving blankets to get the same effect as the thicker (1”, 2” or more) foam and panel options.
Lesson Learned: Moving Blankets are a No-Go for Soundproofing
The bottom line is that moving blankets shouldn’t really be used as a soundproofing material. This type of blanket is thin and flimsy, so it won’t do much in terms of noise reduction. If you need a sound blanket that can block sound, you’ll need a specialized soundproof blanket or to look into other soundproofing materials that aren’t blankets at all! A great example of sound blankets in action is soundproofing an air conditioner with sound blankets. However, if you are looking for an affordable sound absorption product, moving blankets can yield modest results.