Selecting the Right Acoustic Material

We stock a variety of acoustic materials to make sure whatever your project calls for is readily available. All these materials are good sound absorbers, but there are some differences. Here's how these materials stack up.

Product Name Density lbs/ft3 125 Hz. 500 Hz. 1000 Hz. 4000 Hz. NRC Rigidity Price/sq.ft. Roxul AFB 2" 2.5 lb. 0.28 1.09 1.09 1.07 0.95 Flexible $0.81 Plus: Excellent sound absorption, low cost. Best choice when strength and rigidity are not needed. Minus: Flexible like a batt or blanket. Not a problem if supported by a frame, fabric, etc. Roxul Rockboard 60 6 lb. 0.32 1.06 1.02 1.04 0.95 Rigid $1.23 Plus: Excellent sound absorption. Lower cost than 703 and 705. Good strength and rigidity. Best choice for an effective, affordable, rigid product. Minus: More expensive than AFB if you don't need a rigid material. Knauf Acoustical Board 3 lb. 0.29 1.11 1.13 1.03 1.00 Rigid $1.44 Plus: An exact substitute for 703 at a better price. Minus: A little more expensive than AFB and Rockboard 60 for the same sound absorption. Owens-Corning 703 2" 3 lb. 0.17 1.14 1.07 0.98 1.00 Rigid $1.65 Plus: Well known product. Good for small projects where cost is not a big concern. Minus: More expensive than AFB and Rockboard 60 for the same sound absorption. Owens-Corning 703 1" 3 lb. 0.11 0.68 0.90 0.96 0.70 Rigid $1.02 Plus: Familar brand name, moderate strength and rigidity. Minus: High cost, lower sound absorption (NRC) because it is only 1" thick. Owens-Corning 705 2" 6 lb. 0.16 1.02 1.01 0.99 0.95 Rigid $2.69 Plus: Strongest surface resists damage (like stiff styrofoam). Minus: Expensive. Rockboard 60 is usually a better choice. Owens-Corning 705 1" 6 lb. 0.02 0.63 0.85 0.95 0.65 Rigid $1.71 Plus: Familar brand name, good strength and rigidity. Minus: High cost, lower NRC because it is only 1" thick.

Sound absorption coefficients are measured with the material in Type A mounting, flat against a solid backing. Bass absorption may be enhanced using corner mounting or increasing thickness with additional layers of material.

Our ready-to-hang ATS Acoustic panels are built using the 2.5 lb/ft3 Roxul AFB, for solid broadband absorption in Type A mounting at an exceptional price. Roxul's AFB is also known for exceptional fire characteristics and resistance to sag over time.