If you’re wondering “How do I choose soundproof materials?” or “Where can I buy them?”, this guide is for you.
Soundproof materials should be selected based on purpose (absorption vs. soundproofing) and budget. Absorption materials “weaken” sound, while soundproofing materials “block” sound. In most cases, you’ll combine them in the order “soundproofing → absorption”. You can purchase from three main sources: home centers (convenient, small-scale), online stores (wide variety, easy price comparison), and specialty stores (high quality, consultation available). Material costs range from ¥30,000-¥100,000 for basic solutions to ¥100,000-¥500,000 for full DIY projects.
This article provides a complete guide to selecting and purchasing soundproof materials in Japan. We’ll cover types of absorption and soundproofing materials, price ranges, comparisons of home centers and online stores, and DIY material selection tips for beginners.
How to Choose Soundproof Materials: Absorption vs. Soundproofing#
Understanding Absorption and Soundproofing Materials#
Soundproof materials are broadly divided into two categories: “absorption materials” and “soundproofing materials”. Let’s understand the role of each.
Absorption Materials: Materials that weaken sound
- Role: Reduce indoor reverberation and eliminate sound muffling
- Mechanism: Sound waves enter fine pores in the material and are converted to heat through friction with air
- Effect: Improves indoor sound quality, prevents echo
- Examples: Glass wool, urethane sponge, acoustic panels
Soundproofing Materials: Materials that block sound
- Role: Prevent external sound from entering, prevent internal sound from leaking out
- Mechanism: Material mass blocks sound waves and prevents transmission
- Effect: Prevents sound leakage, blocks external noise
- Examples: Soundproofing sheets, gypsum board, concrete
Basic Usage
In most cases, you’ll combine them in the order “soundproofing → absorption”. First, use soundproofing materials to prevent sound from entering/exiting, then use absorption materials to improve indoor sound quality.
Material Selection by Purpose#
For Streaming/Telework
- Priority: Absorption materials > Soundproofing materials
- Reason: Preventing indoor reverberation and echo is top priority
- Recommended Materials: Urethane sponge, acoustic panels, soundproof curtains
- Budget Guide: ¥30,000-¥100,000 ($200-700 USD)
For Musical Instruments
- Priority: Soundproofing materials > Absorption materials
- Reason: Preventing sound leakage is top priority, then sound quality adjustment
- Recommended Materials: Soundproofing sheets, gypsum board, glass wool
- Budget Guide: ¥100,000-¥500,000 ($700-3,500 USD)
For Rental Properties (Restorable)
- Priority: Simple absorption materials > Soundproof curtains
- Reason: Choose materials that don’t require drilling holes and can be removed
- Recommended Materials: Acoustic panels (no adhesive needed), soundproof curtains, simple soundproof mats
- Budget Guide: ¥30,000-¥150,000 ($200-1,000 USD)
Types of Soundproof Materials and Their Characteristics#
Types of Absorption Materials and How to Choose#
Glass Wool (Glass Fiber)
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Price | ¥2,000-¥5,000/sq m ($14-35 USD) |
| Absorption Rate | 90%+ (high frequency) |
| Features | Best cost-performance, easy installation |
| Applications | Wall cavity filling, ceiling space |
| Notes | Can cause skin irritation, mask required |
Urethane Sponge
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Price | ¥5,000-¥10,000/sq m ($35-70 USD) |
| Absorption Rate | 80-90% (mid-high frequency) |
| Features | Easy installation, DIY-friendly |
| Applications | Wall mounting, simple soundproof boxes |
| Notes | Flammable, ventilation required |
Fabric-Covered Acoustic Panels
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Price | ¥8,000-¥20,000/sq m ($55-140 USD) |
| Absorption Rate | 70-85% (mid-high frequency) |
| Features | Good appearance, high interior design value |
| Applications | Living rooms, studios |
| Notes | Expensive, limited low-frequency absorption |
Tencel Absorption Material
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Price | ¥10,000-¥15,000/sq m ($70-105 USD) |
| Absorption Rate | 85-95% (excellent low-frequency absorption) |
| Features | Excellent low-frequency absorption, eco-friendly |
| Applications | Music studios, professional soundproof rooms |
| Notes | Expensive, available at specialty stores |
Types of Soundproofing Materials and How to Choose#
Soundproofing Sheets (Mass Soundproofing Material)
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Price | ¥3,000-¥8,000/sq m ($21-55 USD) |
| Soundproofing Performance | D-20-35 (depends on thickness) |
| Features | Lightweight, easy installation |
| Applications | Wall mounting, simple soundproofing |
| Notes | Complete soundproofing is difficult, combination needed |
Gypsum Board
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Price | ¥1,500-¥3,000/sheet (910×1,820mm) ($10-21 USD) |
| Soundproofing Performance | D-30-40 (single layer), D-50+ (double layer) |
| Features | Standard soundproofing material, available at home centers |
| Applications | Walls, ceilings |
| Notes | Heavy, requires installation skills |
Concrete Blocks
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Price | ¥500-¥1,000/piece ($3.5-7 USD) |
| Soundproofing Performance | D-50+ (depends on thickness) |
| Features | Highest soundproofing performance |
| Applications | Professional soundproof rooms, exterior walls |
| Notes | Heavy, difficult installation, professional recommended |
Soundproof Doors
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Price | ¥50,000-¥200,000/door ($350-1,400 USD) |
| Soundproofing Performance | D-40-60 (varies by product) |
| Features | Essential for door soundproofing |
| Applications | Soundproof room entrances |
| Notes | Expensive, size selection is important |
Where to Buy Soundproof Materials: Home Centers vs. Online vs. Specialty Stores#
Home Centers (Convenient, Small-Scale)#
Advantages
- Easy to purchase: Can check actual products in-store
- Small-scale materials available: Materials needed for basic solutions are available
- Can get advice: Can consult with staff (expertise is limited)
Disadvantages
- Limited variety: Few specialized materials
- Higher prices: More expensive than online in some cases
- Not suitable for bulk purchases: Insufficient materials for large-scale DIY
Recommended Home Centers
- Konan: Relatively wide variety of soundproof materials
- Cainz: Well-stocked DIY materials
- Viva Home: Rich selection of building materials
Available Materials
- Glass wool (insulation section)
- Gypsum board (building materials section)
- Urethane sponge (simple types)
- Soundproof curtains (interior section)
Online Stores (Wide Variety, Easy Price Comparison)#
Advantages
- Wide variety: Specialized materials also available
- Easy price comparison: Can compare across multiple sites
- Suitable for bulk purchases: Discounts available for bulk orders
- Reviews helpful: Can see actual user experiences
Disadvantages
- Cannot check actual products: Cannot touch before purchase
- Shipping costs: Heavy materials have high shipping costs
- Returns are troublesome: Difficult to return if size is wrong
Recommended Online Stores
Amazon
- Features: Wide variety, fast shipping
- Recommended Materials: Urethane sponge, acoustic panels, soundproof curtains
- Notes: Few specialized materials
Rakuten Market
- Features: Specialty stores available, intense price competition
- Recommended Materials: Soundproofing sheets, glass wool, soundproof doors
- Notes: Quality varies by store
Yahoo! Shopping
- Features: Specialty stores available, easy price comparison
- Recommended Materials: Absorption and soundproofing materials in general
- Notes: Compare prices with Amazon and Rakuten
Specialty Online Stores
- Sound House: Specialty store for audio equipment and soundproof materials
- Sound Man: Specialty online store for soundproof materials
- Acoustic Materials.com: Online store specializing in soundproof materials
Specialty Stores (High Quality, Consultation Available)#
Advantages
- Expert advice: Support for material selection based on purpose
- High-quality materials: Professional-grade materials available
- Installation consultation: Can also consult on installation methods
- Customization available: Size and specifications can be customized
Disadvantages
- Higher prices: More expensive than home centers and online stores
- Few stores: No stores in some regions
- Not suitable for small-scale: Minimum order quantities may be large
Recommended Specialty Stores
- Yamaha: Specialty store for soundproof rooms and materials
- Kawai: Specialty store for musical instrument soundproof materials
- Nagawa: Specialty store for soundproof construction and materials
- Local soundproof construction companies: Regionally-focused specialty stores
Budget-Based Material Selection Guide#
Budget ¥30,000-¥100,000 (Basic Solution)#
Material Composition
- Urethane sponge: ¥30,000-¥50,000
- Soundproof curtains: ¥10,000-¥20,000
- Simple soundproof mats: ¥10,000-¥20,000
- Other: ¥10,000
Purchase Location: Home centers, Amazon
Applications: Streaming, telework, light vocal practice
Soundproofing Performance: D-20-30 level
Budget ¥100,000-¥300,000 (Medium-Scale DIY)#
Material Composition
- Soundproofing sheets: ¥50,000-¥100,000
- Glass wool: ¥30,000-¥50,000
- Gypsum board: ¥30,000-¥50,000
- Soundproof door: ¥50,000-¥100,000
- Other: ¥20,000-¥50,000
Purchase Location: Online stores, specialty stores
Applications: Light instrument performance, streaming studio
Soundproofing Performance: D-35-45 level
Budget ¥300,000-¥500,000 (Full DIY)#
Material Composition
- Soundproofing sheets: ¥100,000-¥150,000
- Glass wool: ¥50,000-¥100,000
- Gypsum board (double layer): ¥100,000-¥150,000
- Soundproof door: ¥100,000-¥200,000
- Other: ¥50,000-¥100,000
Purchase Location: Specialty stores, online stores
Applications: Piano, wind instruments, professional studio
Soundproofing Performance: D-45-55 level
Soundproof Material Selection Checklist#
Purpose Confirmation#
- For streaming/telework or musical instrument performance?
- Is preventing sound leakage top priority or improving indoor sound quality?
- Rental or owned property (restoration feasibility)?
Budget Setting#
- Have you clearly set the material budget?
- Have you grasped the total budget including tools and construction costs?
- Have you considered gradual introduction (starting with basic solutions)?
Material Selection#
- Do you understand the difference between absorption and soundproofing materials?
- Have you selected materials appropriate for your purpose?
- Have you accurately calculated material sizes and quantities?
Purchase Location Selection#
- Do you understand the characteristics of home centers, online stores, and specialty stores?
- Have you compared prices across multiple purchase locations?
- Have you checked shipping costs and return conditions?
Important Notes When Purchasing Soundproof Materials#
Size/Quantity Calculation Errors#
Common Mistakes
- Not accurately calculating required area, resulting in insufficient materials
- Purchasing materials wastefully without considering doors and windows
Solutions
- Create a design drawing and calculate accurate area
- Purchase with 10-20% margin
- Compare multiple sizes and choose the optimal size
Quality Variations#
Common Mistakes
- Choosing low-priced materials but quality is low and effectiveness is limited
- Purchasing online but actual product differs from image
Solutions
- Check reviews to understand actual user experiences
- If possible, obtain samples to verify
- Consult specialty stores to select materials appropriate for your purpose
Installation Difficulty#
Common Mistakes
- Choosing materials that are difficult to install, making DIY difficult
- Lacking tools, preventing progress
Solutions
- Check installation methods in advance and judge if you can handle with your skills
- List required tools and prepare in advance
- Consider consulting professionals for difficult parts
Summary: Key Points for Selecting and Purchasing Soundproof Materials#
When selecting soundproof materials, it’s important to appropriately combine “absorption materials” and “soundproofing materials” according to your purpose and budget. In most cases, using them in the order “soundproofing → absorption” enables effective soundproofing solutions.
How to Choose Purchase Locations
- Basic Solutions (¥30,000-¥100,000): Home centers, Amazon
- Medium-Scale DIY (¥100,000-¥300,000): Online stores, specialty stores
- Full DIY (¥300,000-¥500,000): Specialty stores, online stores
Key Points for Material Selection
- Clarify purpose: Streaming/telework prioritizes absorption materials, musical instruments prioritize soundproofing materials
- Set budget: Understand total budget including tools and construction costs, not just material costs
- Compare multiple purchase locations: Compare prices, quality, and shipping conditions to choose the best purchase location
- Accurately calculate sizes and quantities: Create a design drawing and accurately determine required materials
If you’re unsure about selecting soundproof materials, we recommend starting with simple materials and gradually upgrading. Consulting specialty stores can help you select optimal materials for your purpose.