Cork Soundproofing: Properties, Thickness & Top Products

Cork, the pliable, earthy material extracted from the bark of the cork oak tree, is normally associated with wine stoppers and bulletin boards.

But, it turns out, its unique properties might make it a contender in the world of soundproofing materials. So, let’s delve deeper and weigh its acoustic potentials.

Intro: What Makes a Material Good for Soundproofing?

Well, certain features can place a product into one of the two main categories of soundproofing materials. Namely, when you go looking for soundproofing materials, chances are that you’re after one of two things:

• Sound absorption, which is what we get from acoustic foam products, or
• Sound blocking, which we get from denser products such as Mass-Loaded Vinyl

In my article on the acoustic properties of wood, I pointed out that wood on its own isn’t really a perfect fit for either category. As I’ve said, sound blocking requires a great density and weight, which isn’t something any block of wood could manage.

On the other hand, many wood-based products are perfectly suitable for sound absorption purposes. After all, wood is a naturally porous material, so it is capable of holding plenty of air. Those air bubbles effectively slow down and trap the sound as it travels.

If nothing else, one thing is certain: cork certainly has plenty of air bubbles in it to trap sound.

To make a long story short, blocking sound requires something that’ll stop it in its tracks. So you need a solid material that doesn’t let air through. Conversely, sound absorption generally requires soft and porous materials that would allow the energy from the sound to bounce inside the material until it dissipates.

Cork: A Natural Soundproofing Material

Cork is a renowned material, sourced sustainably from the bark of the cork oak tree.

This unique tree has the ability to regenerate its bark after each harvest, allowing for a continual supply of cork without causing any harm to the tree, making the cork industry highly sustainable and environmentally conscious.

Unique Structure and Characteristics

The defining characteristic of cork is its singular cellular structure. It is composed of millions of tiny cells, each filled with air. Remarkably, more than 50% of cork’s volume is just air, rendering it exceptionally lightweight and flexible.

This unique structure contributes to the cork’s ease of installation and its remarkable resilience and durability (for a natural material), allowing it to recover its shape swiftly after compression.

Air Pockets: Sound Absorption

Cork’s numerous air pockets not only contribute to its lightweight nature but are crucial for its sound-absorbing capabilities.

These tiny cells trap airborne noise effectively, reducing echoes and preventing sound from reverberating. This characteristic of cork makes it a good soundproofing material, allowing for the absorption of a spectrum of sound frequencies, contributing to quieter and more acoustically balanced environments.

In fact, cork does really well at absorbing the range of frequencies the human voice can make. That’s fairly impressive — especially since even noise-canceling headphones tend to have a problem with those sounds.

Beyond its air pockets, cork has a higher density compared to other sound-absorbing materials like foam or fabric, enabling it to block a reasonable amount of sound from passing through. This is particularly effective when utilizing products of greater thickness and when the cork is applied to cover entire surfaces, such as floors or walls.

Flexibility: Impact Noise Reduction

Another advantageous property of cork is its flexibility and elasticity. It has the ability to compress and then revert to its original form, making it ideal for absorbing impact noise such as footsteps and equipment vibrations.

This compressibility and expansiveness make cork highly effective in diminishing sound transmissions and vibrations, particularly beneficial in environments where noise reduction is paramount.

In summary, cork, with its unique structure, inherent properties, and sustainability, is a multifaceted material offering a plethora of benefits and is apt for various environments and applications where noise and safety are crucial factors.

Different Types of Cork Products You Can Use for Soundproofing

To optimize its effectiveness, it’s crucial to choose the right cork product that aligns with your soundproofing needs. So, let’s delve deeper into the various cork products available for soundproofing.

Cork Underlayment

Cork underlayment is a cost-effective soundproofing solution. It is known for its ability to mitigate vibrations and minimize sound transfer, making it a popular choice for underlay applications.

Its water-resistant nature ensures longevity, and it stands out for not deteriorating or releasing harmful fumes over time, unlike some other underlay materials.

The underlay softens and fills up the space beneath the floorboards, making walking on them more pleasant for everyone involved. However, you don’t have to lift your floorboards to soften your floor. You could achieve a similar effect by placing cork boards right under your rug, instead of getting a rug pad.

Cork Flooring

Cork flooring is versatile, available in a range of formats including planks, tiles, floating tiles, and rolls, catering to diverse aesthetic and functional preferences.

Functioning similarly to underlays but situated on the floor surface, cork flooring offers a cushioned surface. This cushioning effect absorbs the impact of footsteps and mitigates sound transfer and echo, enhancing the acoustic environment of a space.

Cork Wall and Ceiling Tiles

Cork tiles can be utilized effectively both underneath and on top of drywall. Implementing cork in this manner not only improves soundproofing but potentially enhances the thermal insulation of a room.

Cork tiles can be affixed to walls in a manner similar to acoustic tiles or panels, offering an alternative solution for sound absorption.

Because cork pin boards are so popular, you can find tiles of all shapes and colors. In fact, many of them have an adhesive layer in the back with a peel-off protective layer. So they’re incredibly easy to install as well.

Cork Anti-Vibration Pads and Other Products

Cork is also a popular choice for making special pads that reduce vibration, especially for household items like washing machines. These pads are made by mixing cork and softer foam, creating a perfect balance to absorb shakes and stop the machine from moving around.

Moreover, you can also use cork for smaller projects. For example, you can pad the heels of your shoes with it or silence your squeaky bed. You can even use it to construct a soundproof chamber or thicken the walls of your garage studio.

Examples of These Cork Products

Now that you know the types, I wanted to leave you with a few examples of the kind of diverse products you might use for your next project.

If you wanted to use a cork underlayment under your floorboards, you could get one of the ones QEP makes. They have a quarter-inch thick one that comes in a 4 by 50-foot roll and a half-inch thick one that comes in rectangular sheets.

Of course, you don’t have to use those products exclusively for your floor. You can also apply them to walls, ceilings, even doors. In fact, there are similar products that aren’t marketed as underlayment at all. The sky’s the limit.

However, you do have other options for walls and ceilings, at least. Packs of 12 by 12-inch cork tiles are pretty easy to find for pretty cheap. These quarter-inch thick tiles even come in an 80-piece pack. Similarly to the floor underlayment, these kinds of products are available in a half-inch thickness.

On the other hand, if you’d like to play around with the design and placement of the tiles, you might want to install the square ones in a diamond formation. Alternately, if you get these hexagonal tiles, you could arrange them in a honeycomb arrangement.

Deciding the Right Cork Thickness for Soundproofing

When it comes to soundproofing with cork, selecting the right thickness is crucial. The thickness of the cork directly affects its ability to block and absorb various types of noises in different settings.

In soundproofing, a simple rule applies: the thicker, the better. A greater thickness allows cork to absorb and reduce more sound waves effectively.

Thicker cork is more efficient at capturing airborne noise, making it ideal for wall applications where it can contribute to a quieter environment. Similarly, a thicker cork material used on floors significantly absorbs the impact noise created by footsteps, preventing the sound from traveling and reducing noise levels in the surrounding areas.

Taking cork floor underlayments as an example, they are typically available in three diverse thickness options: 1/8, 1/4, and 1/2 of an inch. Each has a different level of noise reduction:

• 1/8 inch: Reduces noise by approximately 10 dB
• 1/4 inch: Cuts noise by around 20 dB
• 1/2 inch: Lowers noise by about 40 dB

As you can see, when the thickness of the cork underlayment is doubled, its noise reduction capability also doubles.

Tip: If you’re unsure about which thickness to choose while soundproofing, it’s generally better to go with a thicker option. Thicker cork provides superior noise absorption and creates a more balanced acoustic environment, whether for reducing airborne or impact noise.

Pros and Cons of Using Cork for Soundproofing

When you’re considering cork for soundproofing applications, it is crucial to understand its benefits and limitations fully. Let’s delve into what these are and explore their implications.

Assessing the Benefits

Cork offers a variety of advantages, extending well beyond its soundproofing capabilities.

Thermal Insulation

One of the primary benefits of cork is its excellent thermal insulation properties. This natural characteristic allows cork to contribute significantly to energy efficiency, reducing energy consumption and creating more comfortable living and working environments.

Sustainability

The sustainability of cork is unparalleled, deriving from the cork oak tree’s ability to regenerate its bark. This capability to renew itself makes cork a highly sustainable and eco-friendly resource, fulfilling the increasing demand for green building materials. It does not contribute to deforestation, and its production has a minimal environmental impact, providing a guilt-free choice for eco-conscious consumers.

Affordability

The abundance and renewability of cork also translate to cost-effectiveness. Its relatively low price compared to some synthetic materials makes it an attractive option for those seeking economical solutions without compromising quality and eco-friendliness.

Water and Mold-Resistance

Cork is inherent with anti-microbial properties, making it resistant to mold and bacteria growth. This is especially helpful in humid and damp conditions, where it can maintain its integrity and provide a healthier environment.

Its water-resistant nature prevents it from deteriorating when exposed to moisture, making it an ideal material for areas prone to water exposure, preventing mold and mildew formation.

Fire-Resistance

In addition to its many benefits, cork also exhibits a commendable resistance to fire. It can withstand temperatures up to 390 degrees Fahrenheit before it combusts. Even when subjected to fire, cork does not release toxic gases, marking it as a safe material choice.

Weighing the Drawbacks

Despite its numerous advantages, cork does come with its set of drawbacks that need to be weighed before opting for it as a soundproofing material.

Durability

The durability of cork can be less compared to some synthetic materials, potentially leading to a shorter lifespan and the necessity for periodic replacements.

While cork is resilient and can recover its form after compression, it may still degrade faster, especially in conditions where it is exposed to extreme wear and tear, demanding more frequent maintenance and replacements.

Appearance

Cork’s unique and distinct appearance has its charm, but it may not align with every design preference. Its natural look and texture, while versatile, might not integrate seamlessly with all interior design aesthetics.

This limitation could restrict its appeal to those with specific stylistic preferences and potentially limit its use in projects with a predefined aesthetic theme.

Final Thoughts

If you’ve been considering soundproofing your home with cork, consider this official blessing. Not only is cork a natural, sustainably-made, and recyclable material, but it’s also the perfect mix of affordable and effective. Besides, you’ll be able to use it for pretty much anything you can think of.

And most importantly, though, cork is exceedingly easy to manipulate, cut, and install — thanks to its lightweight structure. That’s not something you can say for many soundproofing materials, you know!

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