Insulation — Acoustic Material Guide
Glass wool and stone wool (Rockwool) insulation slabs are the highest-performing broadband absorbers available, achieving NRC 0.90-0.95. Used as the absorptive core in virtually all high-performance acoustic panels, baffles, and wall systems. Available in densities from 10-140 kg/m3 for different frequency targets. Also provides thermal insulation and fire resistance.
Products in This Category
| Material | NRC | αw | Applications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Glass Wool Insulation | 0.90 | 0.85 | Ceiling void, Wall cavity, Baffle |
| Rockwool / Stone Wool Slab | 0.95 | 0.90 | Wall cavity, Ceiling void, Free-standing absorber |
Average Absorption Profile
Average absorption coefficients across all insulation materials at each octave band frequency.
| Frequency (Hz) | 125 | 250 | 500 | 1000 | 2000 | 4000 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avg α | 0.23 | 0.63 | 0.90 | 0.97 | 1.00 | 1.00 |
Best Applications
Room types and environments that benefit most from insulation materials:
Related Standards
International and national standards relevant to insulation selection, testing, and specification:
Installation Notes
Higher density slabs (48-96 kg/m3) provide better low-frequency absorption. For wall cavities, fill the full depth without compressing the insulation. When used as exposed absorbers, wrap in acoustically transparent fabric to contain fibres.
Typical thickness: 50-200mm
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