Living in apartment buildings or anything higher than a two-storey house is great. It’s practically fun and games until the noise factor kicks in. It’s one of two dilemmas; either you’re too noisy for your neighbours or your neighbours are too noisy for you. Nobody wins in situations like these and with time you feel your privacy is a thing of the past.
Finding solutions can be hard but it’s easy in this case with the Soundproof Acoustic Ceiling tiles. These tiles are designed to compress sounds and vibrations. They block and absorb noise from the surrounding area and provide you with privacy and also the freedom to do as you please.
To make your buying experience easier, we have mentioned some of the best acoustic ceiling tiles and panels to soundproof your ceiling.
Top Picks
| Product | Features | Link |
| Genesis Acoustic Ceiling Tiles(best overall) | – Made with PVC vinyl – Water, fire, germs, fungus, and rust-resistant – Comes in various sizes – Highly soundproof | Amazon |
| ATS Acoustic Panel(best budget option) | – NRC rating is 0.1 out of 12″ thick – Extremely soundproof – Minimum undesirable reverberations | Amazon |
Best Soundproof Acoustical Ceiling Tiles
1. Genesis Acoustic Ceiling
Genesis Ceiling Panels are constructed of virgin-grade PVC vinyl and are the best ceiling panel you’ll ever come across. Because of dampness, Genesis does not discolour, decay, expand, or rip. However, rusting, weathering, water, mould, fungus, and germs are resistant to Genesis panels. Besides, they are compatible with most conventional 15/16″ power grids and are dust-free and non-shedding.
They are highly durable and come in two sizes: 2ft x 2ft and 2ft x 4ft, and you can fix them in the ceiling of related measurements. The panels are fire-resistant, waterproof, and you can even wash them out.
The sites such as professional kitchens, food manufacturing factories, education and welfare institutions, marine industries, and clean rooms benefit from this product, such that the noise won’t go out, neither there would be a chance of any hazard.
Pros
- Highly durable
- Fire-resistant and waterproof
- Highly acoustic
- Fungus, rust, and germs resistant
Cons
- Like other vinyl ceilings, it warps out in extreme weather conditions
- Releases traces of chlorine which is an extremely dangerous chemical
2. Armstrong Acoustic Ceiling
Armstrong’s acoustic drop ceiling tiles occupy 64 square feet per set. Each tile measures 2’X2′ and comes in a pack of 16 tiles. They’ll fit into any conventional false ceiling grid with ease. There’s no need for glue or nails; you will simply have to put the tile and proceed onto the next.
These tiles will not sag for a long time. They are also fungal and mould resistant, making them perfect for extreme weather conditions but not suitable for outdoor use. A 10-year guarantee is also included to guarantee that your purchase is secured.
They are made of mineral fibre and are great in suppressing and compressing the sounds, resulting in a dramatic difference in your room’s acoustics and insulation. To achieve the desired style, you can also select from six different surface textures, ranging from polished to grooved.
Pros
- Can fit easily in any standard sized ceiling
- Easy installation
- Made of mineral fibre
Cons
- Not water-resistant
- Deteriorate in extreme temperatures
3. Ceilume Acoustical Ceiling
Ceilume polyline acoustical tiles are fragile and light as a feather, measuring only 0.013″ thick, approximately the thickness of a business card. They’re composed of durable vinyl with a grid shape design that disperses reflections and rebounds well.
These tiles are designed to be installed without glue in a standard drop-in ceiling. The placement process is straightforward and quick because they may be easily cut with scissors.
They don’t collect dirt or water, so they’re ideal for high-humidity environments, making them exceedingly easy to maintain and extend their useful life. This is a significant benefit because they are only accessible in dazzling white colour.
Sadly, because they’re so slender, they are not particularly good at sound absorption. They are, nonetheless, helpful in providing noise insulation across rooms.
Pros
- Does not absorb dirt or moisture
- Easy and quick installation
- Made of good quality vinyl, which makes them durable
Cons
- Lightweight and thin, making it hard to block sounds
4. Soundsulate Acoustic Ceiling Tiles
The Soundsulate sound-absorbing acoustic ceiling tiles, specially designed for false ceilings, are an efficient approach for spaces with many unwanted echoes and resonances. They’re made of high-quality, soft fibreglass. The firm, non-woven covering gives these tiles a beautiful completed look while also improving their acoustic properties.
These tiles come in a variety of densities and sizes. They come in 24″ X 24″ squares or 24″ X 48″ rectangles. They come in 1″ thick bundles with a total area of 80 square feet or 2″ thick packages with a total area of 40 square feet.
The Soundsulate ceiling tiles have an excellent NRC value of 0.7, which means they collect 70% of resonances and reflections to increase the acoustics of any room significantly. They are not only sound absorbent, but they also reduce noise insulation across rooms.
This lightweight and simple to mount tiles are considered the ideal ones. No glue or screws are necessary; just lay them in position, and they’re done. They’re pretty easy to cut with a knife blade if you want to adjust them.
Pros
- Easy installation
- Can be trimmed to adjust the size
- Made of high-quality fibreglass
- Variety in sizes
Cons
- Thin enough to not compress many voices
5. ATS Acoustic Ceiling Panels
The ATS acoustic panels are listed among the most excellent ways to minimize undesirable reverberations, reflections, and echoes, with an NRC of 1.0 out of 1. These ceiling panels are a full 2″ thicker than the previous ones.
This ATS panels’ diameter lets them compress more noise than any competitor panels, making them ideal for vast, noisy venues such as theatres, studios, and open living areas.
Each panel measures 2’X4′ and covers an area of 8 square feet. Besides, ATS panels are also heavier than typical acoustic ceiling panels, weighing around ten pounds each. Because you can’t just pop them into a frame, they’re a little more complicated to install. Instead, you’ll have to use nails or bolts to secure them.
Pros
- Instead of fixing them on the whole ceiling, strategically covering a few areas will do the job
- Thickness does not let the sounds out of the room, nor can they come in
- Minimizes undesirable reverberations and echoes
Cons
- Heavyweight
- Hard installation method
How to Choose the Best Soundproof Acoustical Ceiling Tiles
You will need to consider the following things before picking one acoustic panel/tile for soundproofing the ceilings.
Consider What Kind Of Noices Do You Want To Block
At first, you should figure out what kind of noises you want to block, basically in which room you are willing to fix the soundproofing walls. For Instance, if it’s a music room or a home theatre, you will have to see and research which kind of panels will be suitable and will be able to absorb the noise.
Suppose you desire your home office to be as silent as possible but can still hear the kids playing in the adjacent room. In that case, you’ll need panels with a high CAC rating to prevent the sound from entering your space.
What Soundproofing Product Do You Need?
After you’ve decided what noises will you block with these acoustic ceiling panels, you can start shopping for the suitable material. You want panels with a high CAC rating, such as mineral fibre panels, to restrict noises from passing through the room if you want superior insulation.
If you’re only looking to expand your room’s acoustics by minimizing resonances, a material with a more excellent NRC rating, such as fibreglass or polyurethane foam, is the way to go.
Noise Reduction Abilities
They should have three significant characteristics to fulfil the purpose of acoustic panels. First of all, it should have NRC to absorb the sound and measure the level of echoes and reverberations. Secondly, it should contain STC; they are present in all the best acoustic panels as they don’t let most of the sounds come in the room. Like, you won’t get distracted from them and will only be able to listen to them if you try hard.
Finally, another significant characteristic it should have is the ceiling attenuation class (CAC). It will tell you the ability of a ceiling to prevent sound from getting through; the higher its CAC rate will be, it will be able to control more sounds. And if a ceiling panel doesn’t have these, don’t go for such panels as they are a must for acoustic panels.
Material
It should be made with a material that can really block the sounds. Fibreglass, polyurethane, melamine acoustic foam, and mineral fibres are common materials used in soundproof acoustic ceilings. If a ceiling panel is made of any of these materials, they will be the best option to go with.
When made with fibreglass, panels give a high NRC rating, which means they can reduce resonances and reflections. Because of its absorbent qualities, polyurethane foam is excellent for suppressing greater vibrations and hence, works well for acoustic panels.
Ceiling tiles composed of melamine acoustic foam have high NRC and CAC ratings, making them perfect for absorbing sounds and insulating materials. Mineral fibre acoustic panels have a higher CAC rating, making them more productive in sound absorption.
FAQs
What are acoustic ceiling tiles used for?
Noise is an issue, whether it is your apartment’s bedroom, a game room, or a home theatre. An acoustic ceiling helps absorb any sounds from coming in or going out and reduces the echo. And you don’t get distracted or interrupted in your work. The best thing about the acoustic ceiling is the sense of tranquillity and privacy it affords you.
What is the best soundproofing material for the ceiling?
Because of its thickness, drywall is the most acceptable soundproofing option for a ceiling as it compresses all the sounds and voices from passing through. Other than that, insulation, green glue, and noise proofing clips can also be used, as they are suitable soundproofing components.
How can you block the sounds from coming in through the ceiling?
Either soft materials like fibreglass or dense and heavy materials with high density, like Medium Density Fiberboard, or vinyl sheets are used to cover the ceiling for soundproofing. The soft materials provide good sound insulation, while the heavy ones are great for absorbing voices.
Does soundproofing the ceilings really work?
No matter which type of ceilings you will go for, among the three major ones; either it is a false ceiling, insulating joists, or adding insulation panels. They all come at a price, and none of them is guaranteed to perform 100% of the time. They can, nevertheless, play an important role and make any residual noise manageable. When it comes to TV sound, acoustic panels may help, but they won’t help with footsteps.
Are acoustic ceilings worth the money?
Insulating a home from the sounds to pass through is unquestionably worthwhile if you have set some fair expectations for it. It contributes to improved sleep, fewer interruptions, increased home value, and plenty of other advantages.
Conclusion
Acoustic Ceiling Tiles are the best way to dampen unwanted noises and provide you with the desired peace. Acoustic tiles come in many forms but only one will be according to your preferences and requirements. A bit of market research will surely help you get the best deal and a product of your liking.
All of the acoustic ceiling tiles are effective to different extents and affordable. The Genesis Acoustic Tiles are the best choice not only because of their excellent soundproof material that absorbs a lot of noise but also because of their safe nature. The tiles are resistant to hazardous materials like fungus, bacteria and also fire. It keeps the noise at bay while also keeping you safe in case of an emergency.
If you’re tired of all of the ruckus going on in the surrounding area then choose the soundproof ceiling tiles that’ll help make life less noisy.