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How To Install Soundproof Foam

how to mount acoustic foam

Acoustic foam is a great material for improving internal sound quality.

It removes extra echoes and reverberations, you might want to install acoustic sound panels onto your walls or ceiling. There are many ways to attach these foam panels, but which is the right way?

Let’s talk about how to install soundproof foam.

How to Hang Foam Sound Panels

Adhesive Squares

Adhesive squares can allow you to install acoustic panels quickly and easily. Each has a double-sided adhesive pad that forms a strong bond between the foam panel and other surfaces. They are best used on smooth surfaces like drywall.

To attach foam panels using adhesive squares, follow these simple steps.

Step one: Make pencil marks on the wall where the foam panel will be placed.

Step two: Clean the surface of the wall. It’s best to use isopropyl or denatured alcohol. Dry with a paper towel.

Step three: Remove the paper liner from one of the adhesive squares.

Step four: Stick the square on the back of the panel, around the outer edge. Place adhesive squares on all four corners and add more as needed.

Step five: When applying each adhesive square, press down for at least 30 seconds. You’ll want the adhesive to have a strong bond with the foam panel.

Step six: Take off the second paper liner of the adhesive squares. Press the foam panel onto the wall for at least 30 seconds.

Pins / Nails

You can use pins or nails to hang foam panels, although this method will be slightly damaging to your walls. Either pins or nails will leave holes in the wall, so keep this in mind.

T-pins are a simple and fast way to attach acoustic panels to a surface. You can also use nails, but T-pins will leave smaller holes in the wall.

To install a foam panel with T-pins, simply place the panel on the wall and hammer the pins through the panel to secure it.

Command Strips

Command strips may be the best option for hanging foam panels without leaving any marks. If you are renting, we’d recommend this method. Adhesive squares may leave behind some residue and pins will create holes in the wall.

Here’s how to use command strips on foam panels:

Step one: Clean the wall surface with rubbing alcohol.

Step two: Tear the command strips apart and click two together.

Step three: Remove one side of the plastic backing and place the command strip on the back of the panel. Place a few command strips around the edge of the panel.

Step four: Remove the remaining liners. Press the panel into the wall for at least 30 seconds.

Step five: Remove the panel from the wall and let the separate command strips sit for one hour.

Lastly, realign the strips and enjoy your new acoustic panels!

Liquid Nails

For concrete or textured surfaces, liquid nails is a great material to hang acoustic panels. It is extremely strong and effective, but it is a permanent solution that may leave marks on the walls.

The Liquid Nails brand recommends this process for hanging panels:

Step one: Apply a 1/4 inch bead of liquid nails to the back of the panel. Make sure each bead is around 10 to 12 inches apart and stay one inch away from the edges.

Step two: Press the panel onto the wall, but immediately pull it back.

Step three: Wait for 1 to 3 minutes and then press the panel back in place.

Spray Adhesive

The best method for smooth surfaces is using a spray adhesive. If you have a textured surface or wallpaper, you will want to use a different method. The adhesive will peel off more quickly when mounted on textured surfaces.

For the best results, follow these steps to install foam panels with spray adhesive.

Step one: Use a pencil to mark the wall where the foam panel will go.

Step two: Clean the surface. You can use isopropyl or denatured alcohol because common cleaners may weaken the bond of the adhesive. Allow the surface to dry fully.

Step three: Cover any surfaces with painter’s plastic or drop cloths.

Step four: Apply the adhesive to the back of an acoustic panel. Make sure to apply a generous amount. Apply a layer of adhesive to the wall area as well.

Step five: Let the adhesive sit for about 10 seconds.

Step six: Apply the panel to the wall with hard pressure. Keep in place for about 30 seconds.

Throughout this process, it’s best to keep your room at around 70 degrees Fahrenheit. This allows the adhesive to be at its peak performance level. After application, keep the same room temperature for a couple of days.

How to Put Soundproof Foam on Walls

Drywall

You can easily place soundproof foam onto drywall using a variety of methods. Because it is a smooth surface, many materials will adhere to drywall.

For drywall, you can use adhesive squares, t-pins, or spray adhesive. Command strips and liquid nails can also be effective. Spray adhesive is frequently the most common method for installing soundproof foam.

Concrete

For concrete walls, some materials will not be as effective in hanging soundproof foam. Adhesive squares and spray adhesive will not adhere as well to concrete surfaces.

Using liquid nails to hang soundproof foam is the best option for concrete walls.It has a construction-level adhesive that will be more effective on concrete than other methods.

Get Creative

You can also get creative in hanging acoustic foam on a wall. You can make a wood frame to surround the acoustic foam, which will be easy to install and won’t create too much damage to the wall surface.

There are various ways to make a DIY acoustic panel, but each of these has a very simple installation process. After you make a wood frame, add foam insulation, and cover it in fabric, you can use nails to hang your new acoustic panel. They simply hang on the wall, similar to picture frames.

How to Attach Acoustic Foam to the Ceiling

Drywall

For smooth ceiling surfaces like drywall, you can use the same techniques as attaching them to walls. The best method for this would be using glue or self-adhesive panels.

It can be difficult to use glue because of its drying time. Make sure that you have a stable stepladder and an extra pair of hands.

For mounting acoustic foam on the ceiling, gravity will be a much bigger problem. Choose a strong adhesive with a fast drying time.

Concrete

For concrete ceilings, you will only be able to use an external adhesive. If you try to use t-pins or nails, they won’t pierce the ceiling.

Liquid nails, adhesive squares, and adhesive spray would all work on a concrete ceiling.Whatever method you choose, make sure that the adhesive is strong. Adhesive methods like command strips would be less effective on a concrete ceiling.

Textured Surface

Textured ceilings, like popcorn ceilings, can be difficult to deal with. When attaching acoustic foam to these rough textures, it’s best to use liquid nails.

Liquid nails can be applied thick enough to glue acoustic foam to a textured ceiling. This method can fill the texture of a popcorn ceiling, allowing the acoustic foam to adhere.

This is a permanent method, so make sure to be confident in this decision. It will be incredibly difficult to scrape away popcorn ceilings with an extra layer of acoustic foam.

Final Thoughts

If you decide to install soundproof panels in your house, there are many methods you can use. Adhesive squares and spray adhesive are the most popular ways to attach soundproof panels because of their easy installation process.

For minimal damage to the walls, it’s best to command strips. If you are looking for more permanent methods, use liquid nails or t-pins. These will cause more damage to a surface when removed, but they can be very beneficial for long-term use.

  • Gregory A Seely
  • Gregory A Seely

    Greg is a self taught home renovator and writer for RenoViso. His shares his experiences with Southern Living, Traditional Home and other publications.

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