Let’s be up front here. Acrylic isn’t the best possible soundproofing material. But that doesn’t mean it can’t be very useful for a soundproofing project. So if you are wondering “is acrylic better for soundproofing?”, read on.
Acrylic offers durability, clarity, and versatility, and is frequently used in windows, partitions, and even in custom enclosures.
But is acrylic better for soundproofing compared to other materials?
That’s what we’ll discuss in this article. You’ll read about the soundproofing properties of acrylic, compare it to other common materials, and decide whether it’s the right choice for your soundproofing needs.
Skip to:
- Soundproofing 101
- What is acrylic?
- How acrylic performs for soundproofing
- Best uses: When acrylic is most useful for soundproofing
- Acrylic soundproofing comparison
- Final tips
Soundproofing 101
Before we tell you about the effectiveness of acrylic, it’s important to understand what soundproofing actually involves. Soundproofing is the process of reducing the transmission of sound from one area to another. This can be achieved by:
1. Blocking sound (preventing it from passing through walls, doors, or windows).
2. Absorbing sound (reducing echoes and reverberation inside a room),
3. Dampening vibrations (to reduce sound caused by impact or mechanical vibration),
4. Decoupling surfaces (to prevent sound from traveling through connected surfaces).
Different materials are better suited to different aspects of soundproofing, and understanding this distinction is important in general, and when we are talking about acrylic.
What is acrylic?
Acrylic, often known by brand names like Plexiglas or Perspex, is a type of plastic that is lightweight, transparent, and shatter-resistant.
It’s widely used in applications where glass might be too heavy or fragile. Acrylic sheets are also easy to cut, mold, and install, making them a popular choice for DIY projects and custom fabrications.
How acrylic performs in soundproofing
Acrylic offers a moderate level of sound insulation, but it is not the most effective material for soundproofing when used alone. Here’s why:
🔊 Sound transmission class (STC) ratings
STC ratings are used to measure how well a material or assembly reduces airborne sound. The higher the STC rating, the better the material is at soundproofing.
- A 1/4-inch acrylic sheet typically has an STC rating of around 20-23, which is comparable to single-pane glass.
- Thicker acrylic (like 1/2-inch or more) can improve the STC rating slightly, up to around 30.
For comparison:
- Standard drywall (single layer on each side of a wall) has an STC rating of about 34.
- Double-glazed windows can have STC ratings of 35-45.
- Laminated glass (two layers with a plastic interlayer) can reach STC 40-50+.
Clearly, acrylic alone is not the top performer when it comes to sound blocking.
🔊 Mass matters
One of the key principles of soundproofing is the Mass Law: heavier and denser materials are more effective at blocking sound.
Acrylic, while rigid and useful, is much lighter than glass or concrete, and therefore less effective at blocking low-frequency noise like bass, traffic, or machinery.
🔊 Flexibility and sound damping
Acrylic is a relatively stiff material, which means it reflects sound rather than absorbing it.
This reflection can actually increase reverberation in some spaces if not balanced with absorbent materials. Acrylic does not naturally dampen vibrations the way rubber or certain foams do.
Best uses: When acrylic is most useful for soundproofing
This is what you are here for.
Despite its limitations, acrylic has several strengths. We recommend using it for the following:
👉 Use it in soundproof windows and barriers
Acrylic is commonly used in secondary glazing systems, where an acrylic panel is installed over an existing window to add an extra layer of sound insulation.
These setups work by creating an air gap between the glass and the acrylic, which improves the overall STC rating through decoupling.
👉 Custom enclosures
Acrylic is often used to build enclosures for noisy equipment (like 3D printers, compressors, or generators).
When paired with seals and sound-dampening materials inside, these enclosures can significantly reduce noise levels while allowing visibility.
👉 Office partitions
In open-plan offices, acrylic panels are used to reduce direct sound transmission between desks or cubicles. While they don’t block all sound, they do help minimize line-of-sight sound transfer and reduce the spread of noise.
👉 Aesthetic and practical advantages
In spaces where visibility and aesthetics are important (such as studios or modern offices), acrylic can be a more attractive and practical option than opaque materials. It allows light to pass through while still offering some sound attenuation.
Acrylic soundproofing comparison
Here’s a side-by-side look at how acrylic compares to other materials.
Check our infographic below for the lowdown:
You can see above that acrylic is not the most effective material for blocking sound. But… and this is probably the point of this article – does have a niche when visibility, weight, and ease of installation are important.
Final tips
Yes, with the right setup, acrylic can be effective for soundproofing.
Also bear in mind the following tips:
✅Use multiple layers with air gaps
Create an air gap between two acrylic sheets or between acrylic and glass.
This significantly boosts the system’s ability to block sound. The gap acts as a buffer zone that interrupts sound waves.
✅ Seal all edges
Sound leaks through even the smallest gaps. Using rubber seals, gaskets, or acoustic caulking around acrylic installations ensures that sound doesn’t sneak around the material.
✅ Combine with other materials
Acrylic works well in combination with:
- Mass Loaded Vinyl (MLV) to add mass and improve sound blocking,
- Acoustic foams or panels on nearby walls to reduce reflections,
- Rubber mounts to isolate acrylic from vibrating structures.
