Is felt insulating? The facts about sound absorption, echo reduction and insulation in the home
Felt has become hugely popular in modern interiors in recent years. You see it in wall panels, tiles, acoustic artwork and even in furniture. However, the question often asked is, "Is felt insulating?"
The answer is nuanced - and this nuance difference is crucial to expectations and satisfaction.
Many people think that felt blocks sound, but that is not true. Felt is not sound insulation.
What it does do is at least as valuable: felt absorbs sound within the room, eliminating echo, reverberation and harsh reverberation.
In this comprehensive guide, we explain in minute detail how that works, the difference between insulating and absorbing, what types of felt perform best, and how to properly use felt for a quieter, quieter and more comfortable home.
1. Is felt insulating? The difference between sound insulation and sound absorption
The biggest source of confusion surrounding felt is the term insulation. Because there are two completely different forms of insulation:
1. Sound insulation (sound blocking).
This means blocking sound between two spaces. This requires heavy materials such as:
- double plasterboard with cavity/ rock wool or denim wool in between
- rock wool
- decoupled walls
- rubber mats
Felt does NOT belong in this category.
Felt does not block disturbing neighborhood noise, traffic noise or noise between rooms.
2. Sound absorption.
This means softening sound within the room itself by eliminating echo and reverberation. And this is exactly where felt excels.
The fiber structure of PET felt absorbs sound waves. As a result:
- disappear harsh reflections, known as echo or reverberation
- sound no longer lingers
- speech becomes clearer
- a room feels much more peaceful
In short:
❌ Felt does not block sound.
✔ Felt absorbs sound and dissolves echo.
2. How well does felt dampen sound in the home - and why?
Acoustic felt works because sound waves that normally bounce back against hard surfaces (walls, windows, ceilings) are now captured. Once the sound waves enter the felt, they collide with the fibers and lose energy. This results in audible quietness.
The effects you notice immediately:
- less reverberation in the room
- warmer and softer sound
- better understood conversations
- quieter TV and music sound
- a more comfortable sense of "silence"
Why PET felt works best
Not every type of felt dampens sound equally well.
The most effective form is PET felt because:
- it has a high density
- it is dimensionally stable
- the sound penetrates deep into the material
- it is consistent over large areas
- the fibers are perfectly suited to inhibit sound
Thinner felt such as wool felt (2-3 mm), for example, hardly works at all.
Acoustics only really start to improve from 9-12mm where 9mm is sufficient for residential and you work with 12mm pet felt in large offices with open spaces.
3. PET felt vs. wool felt - which material absorbs better?
Many people think that all types of felt are similar, but they are not. Wool felt and PET felt have completely different properties.
Wool felt: beautiful, but less effective
Wool felt has a natural look, but:
- is less dense
- is less dimensionally stable
- Is less suitable for large panels
- Does dampen sound, but less powerful
- is often pricier
It is mostly decorative.
PET felt: the modern standard
PET felt is made from recycled PET bottles and has been embraced by the acoustical industry because it:
- has a high density
- absorbs sound very well
- is colorfast and dimensionally stable
- is suitable for panels, tiles and art
- has excellent fire safety (B-s1,d0)
- is resistant tomoisture and mold
That's why virtually all modern acoustic wall art and panels are made of PET felt.
Conclusion:
✓ For acoustics: PET felt is by far the best choice
✓ For decoration: wool felt can be fine, but does not work as well
4. How thick should felt be to really remove echo?
Thickness determines acoustic performance.
The thicker the felt, the better sound waves can be absorbed.
Effect per thickness
- 2-5 mm → virtually no acoustic effect
- 9-12 mm → noticeable echo reduction (perfect for homes)
- 18-24 mm → strong damping for offices or conference rooms
- > 24 mm → studio level, not needed for home
For most homes, 9 mm PET felt is ideal.
5. Where does felt work best - wall, ceiling or door?
Felt works most strongly in areas where sound is normally echoed. So the harder and smoother the surface, the more benefit you get from acoustic felt.
Best places for acoustic felt
1. Walls (most effective).
Much echo occurs as sound bounces horizontally across the room. Felt on the wall provides immediately noticeable quietness.
2. Ceilings
Ceilings reflect sound enormously. Acoustic tiles or felt panels on the ceiling dampen reverberation very effectively.
3. Doors
A felt panel on a door dampens the echo in the room itself and makes opening and closing softer. It does not block sound to other rooms.
4. Corners and large open areas
Felt panels behind TVs, in halls or in open living spaces instantly improve acoustics.
Felt placed under the tables, as was done in the past is useless, because the sound waves hardly reach there and therefore cannot be captured.
6. Is felt fireproof and suitable for homes and offices?
Modern PET felt meets high fire safety standards, including B-s1,d0, which means:
- fire-retardant
- hardly any smoke
- no drop formation
Therefore, it is suitable for:
- homes
- offices
- schools
- studios
In addition, PET felt:
- odorless
- dimensionally stable
- sustainable
- colourfast
- Made of 40-60 recycled material and recyclable again
- resistant to mold
Conclusion
❌ Felt is not sound insulation between rooms
✔ Felt absorbs sound in the room itself
✔ It effectively reduces echo, reverberation and reverberation
✔ PET felt is the best choice for modern acoustics
✔ From 9mm thickness, the operation is optimal
Want peace, quiet and a warmer sound experience in your home?
Then acoustic felt panels or acoustic wall decoration are one of the most effective and stylish solutions. Check out the website for more information and inspiration.
