Restaurant Soundproofing
Sound quality...Does Your Restaurant Make the Grade?
- Guest: “These warehouse-style ceilings look trendy but they sure don't do anything for the noise!”
- Guest: “I have to shout for someone to hear me across the table.”
- Guest: “This is the worst table in the place! I can hear banging and loud conversations from the kitchen!”
- Employee: “During the dinner rush I have to cup my ear to hear my tables' orders.”
- Employee: “Even after I leave work, there's still a ringing in my ear.”
...you need a restaurant soundproofing solution...fast!
Time and time again, we receive calls from restaurant owners referencing complaints like these. It's only after they install our restaurant soundproofing materials do they realize the real impact poor sound quality had on their business.
Poor Sound Quality Means Poor Business
Did you know noise is the second most common complaint made by restaurant goers?* Right after service, sound quality is what your customers use to determine if they'll be back or will recommend you to their friends.
*Zagat.com survey, The Audiology Awareness Campaign
You've invested in a great menu, friendly servers, and a beautiful décor. All of it will be wasted if patrons avoid your business because your restaurant is too noisy to enjoy.
How Loud is It, Really?
Noise levels in restaurants without proper restaurant soundproofing materials averaged between that of city traffic (85 decibels) and power saws (109 decibels). Definitely not appetizing.
During the dinner rush, it can be even worse. Some restaurants, particularly those with bars, registered sound levels as high as 10 decibels over the human tolerance level.
Noise levels become a problem when customers begin competing over each other to be heard. Your restaurant can no longer provide a private, intimate dining experience. And you lose business.
You can't blame the patrons. The physical layout of your restaurant and how sound travels through your space is to blame. The kitchen is an especially noisy place, and tables sitting near the kitchen or food-serving lanes can be the worst for your guests.
What Proper Restaurant Soundproofing Can Do for Your Business
Controlling the sound in your restaurant will:
- Preserve your restaurant's ambiance, which will attract restaurant-goers
- Give patrons the best experience possible, encouraging them to return
- Reduce ordering errors so your customers leave happy
- Promote health and safety of the workplace, making it easier to retain talented employees
- Promote health and safety of the workplace, making it easier to retain talented employees
Noise issues can be the make-you-or-break-you of your restaurant.
Several cities have begun rating restaurants not just on food and service quality, but the noise volume as well. Good sound quality is essential to a healthy restaurant business.
Restaurant Soundproofing and Sound Absorption: What's the Difference?
Sound is like water. It doesn't have a shape or form, but molds itself to its surroundings. And like water, sound can be absorbed by some materials and contained by others. Click here to learn more sound basics.
Restaurant Sound Absorption Products soak up sound. They absorb sound waves and prevent them from bouncing back off the walls. Click here to learn more sound absorption basics.
Most restaurants have echo problems. Sound bounces off walls, ceilings and floors. This makes unwanted background noise and muffles voices. Sound absorption products help to make individual voices clear. By reducing the sound that is echoed off the walls, there is less background noise. And diners are able to hear the other people at their table.
Restaurant Soundproofing Products trap the sound. They contain the sound in one location, making it impossible for the sound to move from one space to another. Click here to learn more soundproofing basics.
Kitchens need restaurant soundproofing materials to stop their noise from entering the dining room. Bars need restaurant soundproofing materials to trap the noise and not let it enter other areas of the restaurant. Overall, restaurant soundproofing materials keep the noise contained in the space it should be.
Often, restaurant soundproofing problems need both types of products. Especially if your business is in a residential part of town or you host live bands and large crowds. The soundproofing materials keep the sound inside the space you want. And the sound absorption products on the interior walls improve sound quality and performance.
Choosing the Right Product for Your Restaurant Soundproofing Needs
Restaurant Sound Absorption Products
Sound absorption materials stop noise from bouncing off the walls and back into the space. Successful restaurants are loud, active places. The wait staff is busy waiting, the bartenders are busy mixing and pouring drinks and the customers are busy conversing. All those common activities in a restaurant are amplified when it suffers from poor acoustics and most of those noise issues are solved with sound absorption products.
The result? Diners are able to have private conversations with the people at their table and servers can hear their customers' orders. The dining experience is improved. And you have happy customers.
To be able to compare the performance of different sound absorption products, we rate them by how much sound they can take in. This rating is called NRC, which stands for Noise Reduction Coefficient. Click here to learn more about NRC ratings.
Below is a list of our sound absorption products that work best for restaurants. Since the look of your restaurant is essential to your business, these products are selected because they can match any décor. They come in a variety of colors, shapes, and designs that can blend with or enhance the look of your restaurant.
Click on product titles for more details.
Soft Sound® Acoustic Panels
These panels appear decorative but are really working hard to improve sound quality and speech clarity. Made of a lightweight fiberglass core, they are covered by a soft designer fabric. Soft Sound® Acoustic Panels are available as a wall panel or a baffle that can be hung from the ceiling.
Features & Benefits:
Superior Acoustic Performance - Soft Sound® Acoustic Panels are our premium sound absorption product that can be used anywhere reverberation (echo) is an issue. Our acoustic panels will improve speech intelligibility, improve production and improve any listening or recording environment. Soft Sound® Acoustic Panels absorbs noise generated at low, mid and high frequencies.
Ease of Installation - Soft Sound® Acoustic Panels are lightweight and can be attached to a variety of surfaces. Basic hand tools and a limited amount of construction know-how is all that is needed to ensure a proper installation. Soft Sound® Acoustic Panels can be cut or trimmed on the job site with simple hand tools. Our Acoustic Panels can be mounted permanently with adhesive or temporarily with Hook & Loop or Z-Clips.
Durability - Soft Sound® Acoustic Panels are available with resin hardened edges or, for areas with high traffic, aluminum framing. The fiberglass core of our acoustic panels is firm and resists impacts well; however, we offer an impact-resistant model for areas with high traffic.
Excellent Flammability Rating - Our Soft Sound® Acoustic Panels have a Class A™ flammability rating. This product passes most building code flammability requirements for exposed materials.
Soft Sound® Fabric Covered Foam
Soft Sound® Fabric Covered Foam is an acoustical, flame resistant foam covered with flame resistant, non-woven fabric. It is a noise absorbing acoustic panel that is used to improve the acoustics within a room by minimizing reverberation (echo) within the low, middle and high frequencies. Soft Sound® Fabric Covered Foam is a Class “A” fire rated product and will meet or exceed most building code flammability requirements.
Features & Benefits:
Excellent Acoustic Performance - Soft Sound® Fabric Covered Foam can be used almost anywhere reverberation (echo) is an issue. Soft Sound® Fabric Covered Foam absorbs sounds generated at low, mid and high frequencies and has an equal to or higher Noise Reduction Coefficient (NRC) then fabric wrapped fiberglass products.
Ease of Installation - Soft Sound® Fabric Covered Foam is light weight and can be attached to a variety of surfaces. Basic hand tools are all that is needed to install this product.
Value - With an array of vibrant colors available, Soft Sound® Fabric Covered Foam can be used to achieve the desired acoustic result while improving the aesthetic value of a space. Choose the fabric color that best matches your existing decor.
Class A™ Acoustic Foam Panel
Class A™ Acoustic Foam Panels are a premium grade sound absorption foam panel that are rated for high-temperature applications or buildings requiring Class A™ rated materials. Class A™ Acoustic Foam Panels are heat resistant to 482° F and able to withstand constant temperatures of up to 320° F, which makes them an ideal choice for environments where temperatures are high and where sparks (or other hot materials) may fly, and come in contact with the material. Due to its excellent flame resistant qualities, it's perfect for areas where large numbers of people congregate. Class A™ Acoustic Foam Panels are constructed of lightweight, porous acoustic melamine and are fiber free, making them perfect for medical facilities or where high tech computer equipment is used. The material's internal structure is a spacious cellular complex of slim, flexible webs that are membrane-free and completely open-celled. The result is that Class A™ Acoustic Foam Panels are low-density and extremely lightweight. Available with or without Pressure Sensitive Adhesive (PSA) for an easy peel-and-place application.
Features & Benefits:
Engineered for performance - Class A™ Acoustic Foam Panels are engineered to be an excellent sound absorption product with a high tolerance for heat exposure. Class A™ Acoustic Foam Panels absorb sound generated at low, mid and high frequencies.
Flammability - Class A™ Acoustic Foam Panels are manufactured from melamine foam that has a Class A™ flammability rating in accordance with ASTM E 84. This product passes building codes that have strict flammability requirements for exposed materials.
Heat Tolerant - Class A™ Acoustic Foam Panels are heat resistant to 482° F and able to withstand constant temperatures of up to 320° F.
Fiber Free - Class A™ Acoustic Foam Panels are safe to use in clean room, medical and computer equipment environments.
Ease of Installation - Class A™ Acoustic Foam Panels are a lightweight, open-celled foam product and can be attached to a variety of surfaces. No special tools or materials are needed. Class A™ Acoustic Foam Panels are available with a Pressure Sensitive Adhesive (PSA) backing for an easy peel-and-place application.
Quiet Board™ Acoustic Panels
Quiet Board™ Acoustic Panels are the best solution for areas that are cleaned often, because it can be hosed down. This semi-rigid sound absorber is made of polypropylene beads. These nonporous beads trap sound in their hollow cores. Sound is also trapped in the spaces between beads. Quiet Board™ Acoustic Panels are durable, washable and impact resistant...perfect for heavy-use areas.
Features & Benefits:
Dual Purpose Acoustic Material - Quiet Board™ Acoustic Panels are truly unique in that they absorb noise and deflect noise. The irregular surface texture absorbs 50% of airborne sound, and the smooth, dense polypropylene core material deflects 50% of the sound back toward the noise source. This product is perfect for areas that need both soundproofing and sound absorption.
Value - Quiet Board™ Acoustic Panels are a perfect choice for tight budgets when acoustic improvement and soundproofing are needed. When compared to other one-dimensional products, it's a great dual functioning product for a great price.
Moisture Resistant - Unlike most sound absorption products, Quiet Board™ Acoustic Panels are moisture-resistant. It's also washable, so it can be applied to areas that may get dirty and require a hose down.
Durable - Quiet Board™ Acoustic Panels are impact-resistant with good resistance to chemicals, bacteria and fungi.
Excellent Flammability Rating - Quiet Board™ Acoustic Panels havea Class A™ flammability rating. This product passes most building code flammability requirements for exposed materials.
Echo Absorber™ Acoustic Panels
Echo Absorber™ Acoustic Panels are a light-weight, thermally-bonded acoustical pad.
Features & Benefits:
Acoustic Performance at a Great Price - Echo Absorber™ Acoustic Panels are one of the most cost-effective sound absorbing materials available. The natural cotton fibers are acoustically superior when compared to other man-made fibers, such as fiberglass. The noise reduction performance of Echo Absorber™ Acoustic Panels matches other higher priced material on the market.
Keep it Green - Echo Absorber™ Acoustic Panels are 80% recycled cotton and do not contain Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs).
Quality - Echo Absorber™ Acoustic Panels are a thermally bonded cotton panel made from high quality recycled fibers. The thermal bonding makes Echo Absorber™ Acoustic Panels tear and impact resistant. Echo Absorber™ Acoustic Panels are also resistant to fungi and mold/mildew.
Easy to Install and Handle - Echo Absorber™ Acoustic Panels are lightweight and can be attached to a variety of surfaces. These panels contain no fiberglass and do not itch or cause skin irritation. Echo Absorber™ Acoustic Panels are attached to substrates with construction-grade adhesives. For cutting or trimming, use a sharp utility knife. Echo Absorber™ Acoustic Panels are available as a ceiling hung Baffle.See Echo Absorber™ Hanging Baffle.
Excellent Flammability Rating - Echo Absorber™ Acoustic Panels have a Class A™ flammability rating. This product passes most building code flammability requirements for exposed materials.
Restaurant Soundproofing Products
Restaurant Soundproofing products trap sound. They keep sound in a desired location. This means the music from the live band in the bar doesn't affect those eating in the dining room. Or the clamor in the kitchen doesn't leak into the main area.
The result? Sound is kept where it should be and your patrons have a nice dining experience. Your customers enjoy their meal and come back again. They tell their friends. And your business is increased.
There are four common approaches used to soundproof a restaurant. The four ways are: adding mass, increasing or adding air space, decoupling or creating a structural break within the wall assembly, and adding sound absorption material within the wall/ceiling cavities. Click here to learn more soundproofing basics.
To be able to compare the performance of different restaurant soundproofing products, we rate them by how much sound they can block. This rating is called STC, which stands for Sound Transmission Class. Click here to learn more about STC ratings.
Below is a list of our restaurant soundproofing products. Restaurant soundproofing products are typically applied behind drywall or sandwiched between existing and new drywall. There is a variety of restaurant soundproofing products available.
Click on product titles for more details.
IsoTRAX™ Soundproofing System
IsoTRAX™ Soundproofing System is one of the most effective products to block sound. With its Complete Sound Isolation System, it creates a structural break within the wall/ceiling, isolating the sound. Also, IsoTRAX™ Soundproofing System adds airspace, improving its overall soundproofing performance. This product requires a basic understanding of common construction techniques.
Features & Benefits:
Ease of Installation - isoTRAX™ Soundproofing System requires a basic understanding of common construction techniques. This product was engineered for the do-it-yourselfer and contractor alike.
Affordable - One package covers up to 64 SqFt. Total installed cost is lower than comparable soundproofing systems. Everything you need to soundproof your environment is included and delivered to your door.
Versatility - isoTRAX™ Soundproofing System will reduce sound transfer on existing and newly constructed walls or ceilings. isoTRAX™ Soundproofing System can be installed on wood or steel studded walls.
Fast Shipping - Most orders placed before 3pm during weekday operation hours ship the same day and typically arrive at your door 1 to 3 days later.
Quiet Barrier® Soundproofing Material
The mass of Quiet Barrier® Soundproofing Material blocks sound while its flexible material dampens sound energy. It can be used behind drywall in wall and ceiling assemblies or sandwiched between existing and new drywall. It can also be used under flooring.
Features & Benefits:
Dual soundproofing function - The mass of Quiet Barrier® Soundproofing Material blocks sound while its flexible nature dampens sound energy, giving improved acoustic performance over competitive rigid products.
Value - Pound for pound, Quiet Barrier® Soundproofing Material products have better noise reduction characteristics than steel and other building materials.
Low Profile - Valuable square footage is maximized. Quiet Barrier® Soundproofing Material is only 1/4 inch thick, saving space and money.
Variety - Quiet Barrier® Soundproofing Material is available in a variety of lengths and widths. Also, Quiet Barrier® Soundproofing Material is available with a peel-and-stick pressure sensitive adhesive (PSA). Custom shapes and sizes available upon request.
In-stock - We stock all advertised sizes and configurations of Quiet Barrier® Soundproofing Material in large quantities. Most products are shipped the same day they are ordered and arrive at your project in 3 business days. Custom shapes and sizes available upon request.
Quiet Batt® Soundproofing Insulation
Quiet Batt® Soundproofing Insulation is a premium acoustical and thermal insulator. A tight friction fit between wood and metal studs minimize the movement of sound and heat from one space to another.
Features & Benefits :
Excellent Sound Absorption Performance - Quiet Batt® Soundproofing Insulation absorbs sound within wall and ceiling cavities, reducing the sound transfer from one space to the next. Quiet Batt® Soundproofing Insulation has the highest NRC obtainable of 1.00.
Environmentally Friendly - Quiet Batt® Soundproofing Insulation is manufactured with 80% recycled natural cotton fibers.
Easy to Install - Quiet Batt® Soundproofing Insulation is friction-fit between 16 inch and 24 inch on center studs and does not require any special tools to install. Quiet Batt® Soundproofing Insulation can be used between wood or steel studs.
Easy to Handle - Quiet Batt® Soundproofing Insulation is itch-free and does not contain formaldehydes or other harmful chemicals.
Energy Savings - Quiet Batt® Soundproofing Insulation helps keep the house warm in the winter and cool in the summer.