How Effective is Cork for Soundproofing Walls and Floors?

One of cork’s most attractive qualities as a flooring and wall tile material is its capacity to absorb sound effectively.

But let’s be specific: exactly how effectively? At the end of the day, how much of a difference will it really make? 

We wanted to explore that question, along with the reasons why cork absorbs sound, how it performs compared to other materials, and how you could use it in your home, office or store to best effect.

What Makes Cork a Good Soundproofing Material?

Cork has a unique structure, at a microscopic level. Its cells act like tiny, air-filled compartments, giving it a spongy, flexible quality.

This not only gives it its characteristic blend of softness and resilience, but is what makes it so good at absorbing sound waves instead of reflecting them as would happen with a harder, less porous material like concrete or wood.

Cork and the Noise Reduction Coefficient (NRC)

Now let’s get to some scientific jargon – hey, you said you wanted to know!

The Noise Reduction Coefficient (NRC) is the standard measurement unit used to describe how efficient a given material is at absorbing sound. Cork generally scores between 0.3 and 0.7 on the NRC scale, depending on the thickness and installation method.

This means that it absorbs between 30% and 70% of the sound waves that hit it, making it an excellent soundproofing material, especially in the face of moderate noise levels.

Of course, cork’s score may not be as high as specialised acoustic foam (which can reach up to 1.0), but it does perform well with both impact noise (as that caused by footsteps or moving furniture) and airborne sound (like conversations or music).

Cork Reduces Noise and Airborne Sound

All this means that cork flooring or cork wall tiles really can do wonders to make a room quiet and peaceful.

If you don’t want to be bothered by, for example, the sound of footsteps in the room above, or even in the same room, cork will act as a buffer, absorbing the vibrations. The same goes when it comes to the sound of people talking, music or street traffic.

Cork can also be combined with other soundproofing methods, like underlayment or additional wall insulation, to make it extra effective.

Installation Methods for Better Soundproofing

The type of installation can greatly influence the result.

For cork flooring, adding a high-density underlayment, which acts as an additional barrier to sound, can dramatically increase sound absorption.

In walls, cork tiles or panels can be installed either directly onto the surface or between layers of drywall. Adding layers of Mass Loaded Vinyl (MLV) or other soundproofing materials alongside cork can create an even greater effect.

Cork’s Versatility

Cork is popular in many different kinds of spaces.

In residential settings, cork floorings are often used in living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens and bathrooms for their comfort, insulation and elegance.

Offices and other commercial spaces frequently install cork panels on the walls to reduce noise levels and create a quieter work environment. Cork’s natural aesthetic and eco-friendliness is also a good complement to environmentally conscious interiors, making it a very popular choice for green building projects.

Cork vs. Other Materials

Here’s a comparison between cork and other common soundproofing materials, based mainly on the NRC and overall cost-effectiveness. Cork’s NRC, as mentioned above, ranges from 0.3 to 0.7, which is pretty respectable, though not as high as that of some other materials.

• Acoustic Foam. Acoustic foam panels are often used in studios, as their NRC reaches scores of 0.8 to 1.0, making them very effective at dampening airborne noise. However, they’re rarely used in homes because of their industrial appearance.
• Fibreglass Panels. Another powerful option, with ratings of 0.9 to 1.0, and adequate for walls, though not as eco-friendly or as visually pleasing as cork.
• Carpet. With an NRC of 0.2 to 0.5, carpet provides moderate sound absorption but is primarily effective at reducing impact noise.
• Mass Loaded Vinyl (MLV). Even though MLV has a low NRC score of 0.1 to 0.15, it’s amazing at blocking sound transmission, making it a fantastic complementary material to cork.

Conclusion

Cork is an effective soundproofing material for walls and floors, offering an excellent combination of qualities: sound absorption, comfort and environmental sustainability.

While it may not outperform specialised soundproofing materials, especially in extreme cases of noise, it’s a great option for homes, offices and other spaces. Its versatility and visual appeal make it a great choice for people looking to reduce noise without compromising on design, a solution that is both practical and stylish.

Explore Portuguese Treasures’ wide range of cork wall tiles and floors to find the best fit for your space!