Industrial noise control acoustic wall blankets are designed to make loud factories, manufacturing plants, and industrial facilities create productive, safe, healthy working environments by reducing occupational exposure to extreme sounds. This one addition can make a world of difference, which can have all sorts of positive impacts to your business and workforce.

Let’s take a look at acoustic wall blankets and how effective they can be in the industrial space.

The Two Ways Acoustic Wall Blankets Combat Noise

AlphaSorb Dual-Sided Industrial Absorptive Sound Blanket 4'x8' (nominal)

AlphaSorb® Dual-Sided Industrial Absorptive Sound Blanket 4’x8′ (nominal)

There are two ways in which acoustic wall blankets combat noise: absorbing sounds and blocking sounds, commonly referred to as soundproofing. These are two different aspects that are important to consider when choosing the right blanket.

Soundproofing, or blocking sound, is more challenging as the material and space must be designed in such a way to block soundwaves.

Absorbing sounds, on the other hand, is a way to “clean up” the sound, making it more tenable.

Soundproofing in industrial spaces could be a mountain of work that may not financially make sense, but sound control through absorption can achieve many if not all of the goals without having to retrofit a space and achieve pure soundproofing.

To minimize echo, the density of acoustic quilted fiberglass blankets reduces directional noise by ​​absorbing sound waves within the material. As a result, acoustic wall blankets lower reverberation and echoes within a space, preventing sound from amplifying back from the walls and ceiling into the workspace. Lowering the reverberation time can significantly help reduce noise levels and sound pressure within an area.

Acoustic blankets are also offered that include a noise barrier to physically block sound, called soundproofing. While this won’t completely soundproof a space, it can block some of the sounds transferred from one area to another, leading to an overall improvement in acoustics.

Acoustic Wall Blanket Specifications

To help decide the best acoustic blanket for a project, manufacturers offer several blanket specifications: STC values, NRC values, temperature range, fire rating, and overall construction.

STC (Sound Transmission Coefficient) Values: measure a sound blanket’s ability to block directional noise. The higher the number, the better the blanket performs.

NRC (Noise Reduction Coefficient) Values: measure an acoustic blanket’s ability to capture and remove echoes off the face of the blanket. For instance, an NRC value of 0.50 means the blanket will convert up to 50 percent of the echoes off the blanket’s face, preventing the reflections from bouncing back into the noise-infested space.

Temperature Range: Indicates the temperatures you can safely use the acoustic blankets. Some blankets are silicone coated so they can be used in high temperatures, often a requirement for industrial settings. Acoustical solutions offer two choices, one absorptive and one for soundproofing for the heaviest of industrial sound spaces.

Fire Rating: The ASTM E84 (Surface Burning Characteristics of Building Materials) determines the relative burning behavior of the material by observing its flame spread. The test classifies products based on flame spread and smoke density. Products with a Class A or 1 fire rating offer the most effective resistance against severe fire exposure.

Construction: Acoustic wall blankets can be made in various sizes, weights, thicknesses, finishes, and edges, to accommodate the uniqueness of spaces

Acoustical Solutions Industrial Acoustic Sound Blankets

Acoustical Solutions offers two lines of acoustic sound blankets. Our Alphasorb® sound blankets are used for sound absorption while our PrivacyShield® line offer both sound absorption and sound blocking strength. Both lines feature fiberglass batting quilted that is faced with a coated fiberglass cloth. Our PrivacyShield® products include a barrier septum for soundproofing. Our product assortment for both lines includes a range of options for indoor, outdoor, or high-temperature applications.

We also offer both custom acoustic blanket enclosures for our customers and standard blanket enclosures for more standard setups to get you up and running quickly. Here are three case studies with custom acoustic blanket enclosures for commercial spaces:

Case Study #1: Large and Loud Compressor Issue

PrivacyShield Dual-Sided Absorptive Soundproofing Blanket

PrivacyShield® Dual-Sided Absorptive Soundproofing Blanket

Tennessee Gas pipeline compressor station 254 houses five 1400 compressors that allow natural gas to flow to thousands of homes throughout New England and New York. Of concern, these compressors created serious noise problems for the employees and nearby private resistance.

Independent testing found that compressor station 254 generated sound levels (dominated by low-frequency noise) up to 60 dB(A) at the boundary line. With expansion plans in the future, Tennessee Gas chose to take action to comply with local and state ordinances and reduce the noise level at the property line to 50 dB(A).

The acoustic solution for Tennessee Gas required treating the building rather than the compressions because the employees needed unrestricted access to the compressors and clear visibility throughout the building. The solution also had to meet a Class 1 Fire Rating, which knocked out expensive foam products. Consequently, Tennessee Gas chose PrivacyShield® Dual-Sided Absorptive Soundproofing Blankets, utilizing more than 800 blankets to line the interior walls and ceiling of their 40′ x 179′ x 28′ high building.

Installing the acoustic blankets lessened the noise level significantly at the property line from 60 dB(A) to 45 dB(A). The improved sound level allows employees to have conversations without shouting. In addition, Tennessee Gas found that the light-colored fabric facing improved the lighting inside the building dramatically.

Case Study #2: Reducing Noise Outside with Soundproofing Blankets

Soundproofing Blankets Installed at Pinewood Petrol

Soundproofing Blankets Installed at Pinewood Petrol

Pinewood Petrol installed a new car wash and needed an effective way to block the sound from heading over their existing fence into the neighboring residential neighborhood. PrivacyShield® Outdoor Absorptive Soundproofing Blankets were utilized in frames placed on top of the fence and over the carwash openings to block the sound effectively.

Soundproofing Blankets Installed at Pinewood Petrol

Soundproofing Blankets Installed at Pinewood Petrol

Absorptive facing on the blankets helps further reduce echo and sound reflection. The installation effectively solved the owner’s problems who had this to say: “I am very happy with the results.”

Case Study #3: Reduced Manufacturing Noise with Visibility and Access

PrivacyShield Dual-Sided Absorptive Soundproofing Blankets surround a TCO workcell to comply with OSHA standards

PrivacyShield® Dual-Sided Absorptive Soundproofing Blankets surround a TCO workcell to comply with OSHA standards

TCO work cell noise reduction project aimed to reduce noise levels to achieve OSHA compliance for industrial work environment noise levels. The excessive noise came from the metal-to-metal contact of a Hautau TCO-60 tube cutoff lathe and a round tube loader station.

The TCO work cell measures about 31.5 feet long by 22.5 feet wide, with a 30-foot ceiling. Therefore, the acoustic solution had to accommodate the space while providing unrestrictive viewing and physical access.

Acoustical Solutions suggested a custom industrial blanket soundproof enclosure for the site because it could provide viewing windows and Velcro closure for physical access.

  • The acoustic solution involved surrounding the round tub loader station with a floor-mounted curtain soundproof enclosure using the PrivacyShield® Dual-Sided Absorptive Soundproofing Blanket with custom AB10CV partial viewing windows and AB10CV strip curtains for full viewing sections.
  • Acoustical Solutions also suggested laying AlphaEnviro® PVC Acoustic Panels in the floor sections under the tube loader to lessen echo and sound reflection off the floor.

The custom industrial blanket soundproof enclosure around the TCO tube loader station resulted in significant noise reduction. Therefore, the noise level exposure was well below the OSHA requirements and improved work conditions for the employees.

Three Fantastic Acoustic Wall Blanket Offerings from Acoustical Solutions

Alphasorb® Dual-Sided Industrial Sound Absorptive Blanket

AlphaSorb Dual-Sided Industrial Absorptive Sound Blanket Bound or Unbound Rolls

AlphaSorb® Dual-Sided Industrial Absorptive Sound Blanket Bound or Unbound Rolls

The Alphasorb® Dual-Sided Industrial Sound Absorptive Blanket is a fantastic option to reduce reverberation and echo in high-temperature, interior applications. The blankets are constructed from highly durable silicone-coated vinyl fiberglass cloth quilted to 2-inch thick fiberglass batting. Due to their ability to withstand high temperatures, they are a great option for machinery housings.

Customizable, 2-inch thick Alphasorb® Dual-Sided Industrial Sound Absorptive Blanket offer many high-quality features:

  • Fire Rating: Class 1 or A
  • Temperature range: -90ºF to 450ºF
  • NRC: 0.85
  • Moisture permeability: 0.5 perms
  • Thermal Rating: R-Value of 8

PrivacyShield® Dual-Sided Absorptive Soundproofing Blanket

The PrivacyShield® Dual-Sided Absorptive Soundproofing Blanket, available in panels and rolls, include sound-blocking and absorbing materials, making them ideal for combating excessive echo and blocking noise in interior spaces.

PrivacyShield Dual-Sided Absorptive Soundproofing Blanket

PrivacyShield® Dual-Sided Absorptive Soundproofing Blanket

Acoustical Solutions blankets are constructed with vinyl-coated fiberglass cloth facing on both sides, quilted with 2-pound ft3 density fiberglass batting with a 1-pound ft2 barrier septum and mating Velcro® on the vertical edges.

The composition of PrivacyShield® Dual-Sided Absorptive Soundproofing Blankets allows 360-degree sound absorption and attenuation in one efficient product.

Customizable, 2-inch thick PrivacyShield® Dual-Sided Absorptive Soundproofing Blankets offer many high-quality features:

  • Fire Rating: Class 1 or A
  • Temperature range: -20 to 180 degrees Fahrenheit
  • NRC: 0.75
  • STC: 29 (1 lb.), 33 (2 lb.)
  • Thermal Rating: R-Value of 8

The vinyl-coated fiberglass cloth-facing finish offers the following benefits:

  • Moisture Permeability: 0.5 Perms
  • Breaking Strength (warp and fill): 150 lb./in. and 100 lb./in.
  • Tear Strength (warp and fill): 8 lb. and 7 lb.
  • Passes UL-181 Heat Aging Test
  • Breaking Strength (warp and fill): 150 lb./in. and 100 lb./in.

PrivacyShield® Industrial Sound Enclosure

PrivacyShield® Industrial Sound Enclosures pair our soundproofing curtain panels with steel tubing designed to house large industrial equipment. Interior and exterior-grade materials are available, as well as silicone-facing for high-temperature applications. Popular sizings are now offered standard to simplify ordering so our customers can get up and running quickly.

Floor-Mounted Blanket Enclosure Features

Floor-Mounted Blanket Enclosure Features

Find the Best Industrial Acoustic Wall Blankets with Acoustical Solutions

Quick to install, Acoustical Solutions acoustic wall blankets will lower sound in any industry, improving the well-being of the workers and neighboring facilities while helping meet OSHA safety requirements by lessening, but not eliminating noise.

Contact Acoustical Solutions today to learn more about how industrial noise control wall blankets can help create a more productive, safer, and comfortable work environment for your employees and neighbors. Our team of experts stands ready to understand your specific situation and provide the best answer possible.


To learn more about how Acoustical Solutions can solve your noise control problems, use our contact form, call one of our Acoustical Sales Consultants at (800) 782-5742, or visit us on the web at acousticalsolutions.com.