Teach You To Sew

Online Sewing Tutorials for Beginners & Advanced

5 Best Sound Absorbing Fabrics (Reviews Updated 2021)

There are many types of sound absorbing fabrics. Sound absorbing does differ from soundproofing. Sound absorbing generally helps reduce the amount of noise while soundproofing tries to block noise and sound altogether. Different fabrics all have different properties and while some will work for certain sounds, others will work better for different sounds. Some fabrics may work well to block out voices or traffic, while others will work better to absorb sounds from things like music.

Best Sound Absorbing Fabric

Here are our sound absorbing fabric reviews

1. Hanes Drapery Lining Serenity

Blackout drapery fabrics often contain noise insulation properties, which can make them effective at absorbing sound. These fabrics can be sewn into other fabrics for extra sound absorption, or they can even be sewn together. For lighter sound absorption, they can be hung as is.

  • Fabric is medium/heavyweight and is 100% polyester
  • As well as having noise insulation properties, it also helps block out sunlight to protect against thermal loss, and is resistant to creasing, water, and stains
  • Dry clean only
Shop Now on Fabric.com

 

2. JB Martin Concertino Cotton Velvet Bankers Grey

Some velvets and velour fabrics can be used for sound absorption. These fabrics generally have to be very heavyweight (35oz or greater). As most fabrics aren’t this heavy, it is a good idea to buy extra fabric and sew two to three, or more, layers together to achieve greater sound absorption. This fabric is very heavyweight, but at 14.4oz/square yard, so sewing two layers together would be more effective.

  • This 100% cotton fabric is very heavyweight
  • The fabric is dry clean only
  • Velvet fabric can be used for many different projects including window treatments, upholstery, accessories, pillows, slipcovers, and more
Shop Now on Fabric.com

 

3. Europatex Style: Plush

Velvet can be a good fabric for sound absorbing. This velvet is very heavyweight (36oz per square yard). A heavy weight fabric, especially anything above 30oz, can be used for sound absorbing. Velvet is a beautiful, rich looking fabric that can be used for many applications throughout the home. This fabric is extremely durable and can be used for window treatments, upholstery, home accessories, and more.

  • Fabric is 100% polyester
  • Dry clean only
  • This line of velvet fabric comes in over twenty different colors
Shop Now on Fabric.com

 

4. Roc-Lon Drapery Lining

Blackout drapery can be an effective sound absorbing fabric. Roc-Lon Drapery Lining has a 3 pass lining that helps reduce noise as well as muffle sound, and also achieves 100% blackout. This lining can be used by itself or can be sewn as a layer into other fabric for increased sound absorption and protection against thermal loss.

  • Fabric is medium weight and is a blend of 70% polyester and 30% cotton
  • Dry clean only
  • Fabric can be used in the home or commercially in workplaces or schools
Shop Now on Fabric.com

 

5. Fabricut Style: Eclipse Blackout

This blackout fabric also muffles sound and can help reduce noise outside of a room. The fabric has a 3-Pass lining (three layers) that helps the fabric achieve total blackout, and also ensures that the fabric can be used as standalone drapery, but could also be sewn as a lining for other fabrics. This fabric can be used in homes or in commercial settings as well.

  • The front of the fabric is a blend of 70% polyester and 30% cotton, while the back is 100% acrylic
  • Fabric is medium to heavyweight (9.36oz per square yard)
  • Dry clean only
Shop Now on Fabric.com

 

Sound Absorbing Fabric Buying Guide

Sound proofing a room is not the same as soundproofing a room. Sound absorbing fabrics can decrease echoes in a room to help sounds within the room sound better, and it might reduce the amount of noise that travels between rooms or areas, but sound absorbing fabric is not designed to eliminate sound. Sound absorbing fabric can be used in homes and many commercial buildings. The thickness, properties built into the fabric, and where the fabric is placed can all affect how sound is absorbed.

Budgeting For Sound Absorption Fabrics

Some sound absorbing fabrics can be pricey, especially if you consider having to sew them together for the desired thickness. Other fabrics can be more budget friendly, even if sewn together. Some fabrics,, like blackout lining, can often be used in conjunction with another fabric, for even more sound absorbing properties. Many blackout fabrics are already designed to  muffle sound, especially at the window, and could be a great addition to another fabric for sound absorption.

Other Projects

Many fabrics that are great for sound absorption can also be used for other projects. While blackout fabric is generally designed to be used at the window, it can be sewn as a lining for another fabric, for more sound muffling/light blocking widow treatments. Other fabrics, like velvets and velour fabrics, can be used for slipcovers and upholstery, as well as window treatments, and many other projects, making them very versatile. Extra fabric can be easily used for other projects, matching accessories, and more.

Recommended Reading: