Are Rugs Good For Soundproofing? – YES!

Noise is often an unwanted guest that people strive to eliminate. Whether it’s the sound of a barking dog, loud music, a crying baby, or whatever – they are considered noise that can prevent many persons from being productive in a day. Whilst there are many ways to eliminate unwanted sound/noise, many people are wondering if the use of rugs is part. So, this will lead us to the popularly asked question that says “Are Rugs Good For Soundproofing?”

Simply put, yes! Rugs are good for soundproofing. They eliminate footfall noise and reduce vibrations to a level that becomes bearable. 

However, the amount of sound that can be eradicated by rugs depends on the thickness of the rug. Hence, if a rug is very thick, it can decrease noise before it takes over the entire room. 

Additionally, while rugs can be used to beautify a room, they can soundproof the floor, thereby annihilating sound from the room. If you’d like to know more about the use of rugs for soundproofing, kindly read on to find out more information. 

How do soundproof rugs work?

Rugs work by immersing reverberation – when placed on a floor surface before it reaches the ears. Rugs absorb ambient sound which makes them the best for sound insulation and suitable to be used in studios. 

Though rugs work perfectly for sound absorption, they can’t silence sound completely. This means that their capacity to reduce sound is limited to a certain level.  

Do rugs reduce sound?

Rugs can significantly alter a room’s acoustics, changing how sound is transmitted and heard. Hard surfaces like walls, floors, and ceilings cause sound waves to reverberate and echo, which can give a room a noisy or unpleasant sound. So yes, rugs can help absorb some of these sound waves and reduce the noise in the room as a whole.

The amount of sound that a rug absorbs might vary depending on its thickness and composition. Thin, flat carpets made of synthetic materials are less effective in absorbing sound than thick, velvety rugs made of materials like wool or shag. Moreover, carpets with a high knot count or a deep pile are better at absorbing sound than those with a low knot count.

Also read: How can you soundproof a room so no one can hear you?

How can rugs improve acoustics?

Yes, rugs can improve acoustics by absorbing some of the sound waves that bounce off hard surfaces such as walls, floors, and ceilings. When sound waves hit a rug, some of the energy is absorbed by the fibers of the rug, reducing the amount of sound that bounces back into the room. 

This can help to reduce echoes and reverberations, making the space feel more comfortable and pleasant to be in. A rug’s effect on sound may also depend on where it is placed. 

While positioning a rug close to a wall or in a corner can produce a more focused sound, placing one in the middle of the room can serve to diffuse sound waves and lessen the amount of echo.

Adding rugs can often improve a room’s acoustics and make it more pleasant to be in, especially in spaces with hard surfaces and minimal soft furniture.

How much sound does a rug absorb?

The amount of sound that a rug can absorb depends on several factors, such as the thickness and material of the rug, the size of the room, and the frequency and intensity of the sound waves.

Thick, plush rugs made of materials like wool or shag are more effective at absorbing sound than thin, flat rugs made of synthetic materials. In general, thicker and heavier rugs will absorb more sound than thinner and lighter ones.

The size of the room and the number of hard surfaces such as walls and floors can also affect how much sound a rug can absorb. In a small room with lots of hard surfaces, a rug can make a significant difference in reducing echoes and reverberations. However, in a large room with few hard surfaces, the impact of a rug on sound absorption may be less noticeable.

Finally, the frequency and intensity of the sound waves can also impact how much sound a rug can absorb. Low-frequency sounds like the bass is more difficult to absorb than high-frequency sounds like treble, and very loud sounds may overwhelm the ability of a rug to absorb them.

What are the best rugs for soundproofing?

When it comes to soundproofing, some types of rugs are more effective than others. So, just in case, you need the rug for soundproofing, you can get ideas from the list of rugs that would be shared below. 

Here are some of the best types of rugs for soundproofing:

Wool Rugs

Wool is a thick material that absorbs sound and lessens echo in a room. They are capable of blocking low-frequency sounds, making them a useful option for soundproofing. 

However, you’d have to consider the texture of the wool rug you’re purchasing. Preferably, the thick texture wool rug works best. 

An amazing wool rug to buy is the SAFAVIEH Natura Collection 8′ x 10′ Ivory NAT620A Handmade Premium Wool Area Rug. Here is a link for purchasing it. SAFAVIEH Natura Collection 8′ x 10′ Ivory NAT620A Handmade Premium Wool Area Rug.  

Jute rugs

Another rug that is super effective for soundproofing is the jute rug. This rug is thicker which is the perfect texture for soundproofing. 

Evidence: A jute fiber with a 1 cm thickness did a perfect job of absorbing a sound of 51 dB at 400 Hz. This proves that 21% of the noise was absorbed by the 1cm thickness of this rug. 

So, if you need a perfect jute rug to purchase for soundproofing, you can purchase the Jute Braided Rug 4×6 Ft. 

Shag rugs 

Finally, on my illustrious list is the shag rug. Shag rugs are made in a deep and thick pile which gives the rugs a rough appearance.

But regardless of how rough the appearance is, what matters the most is the effectiveness of this rug for soundproofing. Although I’m not giving you 100% assurance that this rug material will absorb sound completely. But you can be assured that it would do a perfect job of eliminating the majority of the sound. 

One thing you should know is, there are a lot of shag rugs on the market, so you’d have to make sure to check the description of the rug on the package. Check for the thickness – most important. 

However, I’d be recommending Merelax Soft Modern Indoor Shaggy Area Rug. This rig is exactly what you need. Don’t forget, you can always get other ones. 

FAQs

Do wool rugs absorb sound?

Yes, wool rugs are known to be effective at absorbing sound. Wool is a natural fiber with excellent sound-absorbing properties due to its dense, fibrous structure. 

When sound waves hit a wool rug, they penetrate the fibers and are absorbed, reducing the amount of sound that bounces back into the room. The thicker and denser the wool fibers, the more effective the rug will be at absorbing sound.

What natural materials absorb sound?

Natural materials such as cotton, bamboo, coconut fibers, open-celled foam, and so on absorb sound. Beyond your wildest thoughts, these materials can reduce sound completely. 

But not all people are aware of this. Aside from the fact that they can absorb sound, they are cheap to purchase, and also safe for your health. 

This means you don’t have to worry about allergies or irritation. You can get these natural materials in the form of a rug or curtain to soundproof your room.

Will a rug reduce noise from downstairs?

Yes, a rug will do a perfect job of reducing noise from downstairs. Basically, if you can hear noise coming from downstairs in your room, the next step is to add carpets. 

This rug will help you to reduce the noise to a level where you won’t be disturbed. If you already have carpets, you can still add rugs. All you have to do is put the rug on the area where the noise is coming from the most. 

What is a material that will not absorb sound?

Materials like wood, concrete, tile, brick and other hard materials will not be able to absorb sound. They might try to reduce noise, but it won’t be evident just like when using materials like wool rugs, cotton, and other natural materials. 

Aside from these materials, you might want to try out using fiberglass or insulation to soundproof your walls.

Conclusion- Are Rugs Good For Soundproofing?

Although rugs can aid to some extent with noise reduction, they might not be the best option for soundproofing an area. Certain high-frequency sounds can be muffled by rugs, while low-frequency noise is harder to muffle. 

Acoustic panels and insulation are two additional thicker and denser materials that are normally more effective in soundproofing. Rugs can therefore be a useful addition to a room’s decor and can help to reduce noise to some extent, but they might not be enough to provide significant noise reduction.