Acoustic foam is designed to absorb sound waves by converting sound energy into heat through the process of sound attenuation. It can effectively reduce reflections and reverberations within a room, improving its acoustic qualities. However, the effectiveness of acoustic foam in reducing noise transmission through a wall depends on several factors.
When sound waves encounter a solid object like a wall, they can be transmitted, reflected, or absorbed. If there is acoustic foam attached to one side of the wall, it primarily affects the sound waves that reach that specific surface. The foam absorbs the sound energy that strikes it, reducing reflections and preventing the sound from bouncing back into the room where it originated.
However, sound waves can still transmit through the wall itself and potentially reach the other room. The foam does not provide the same level of sound absorption for sound waves passing through the wall structure as it does for those striking its surface directly. Walls are typically made of denser materials than acoustic foam and can transmit sound more effectively.
To address noise transmission through a wall, additional soundproofing measures are usually required. This can involve using materials with high sound transmission loss properties, such as mass-loaded vinyl, resilient channels, or soundproof drywall. These materials are designed to impede the transmission of sound waves through the wall structure.
It's important to note that achieving effective soundproofing involves a combination of techniques that consider the entire sound transmission path, including walls, floors, ceilings, and any air gaps or structural weaknesses. While acoustic foam can help improve the acoustic characteristics within a room, it may not provide sufficient soundproofing on its own to significantly reduce noise transmission through walls.