by 
The Curious Bag
-
<h4 class="dechead">On One Hand: Provides a Cheaper Alternative
Gun foam is a polyurethane composite designed to inhibit the transfer of heat. Because it's not very dense and its components are cheap, it is usually much less expensive than acoustical sealant. Gun foam will provide a fair level of acoustic inhibition, and many users will not be able to tell the difference.
On the Other: Not As Effective
Gun foam cannot achieve the same level of quality as acoustical sealant. Acoustical sealant is a non-hardening synthetic rubber. Its material composition is specifically designed to inhibit the transfer of sound. It is much more dense than gun foam, and is therefore more effective in preventing sound leakage.
Bottom Line
If you're professionally soundproofing a room, then acoustical sealant is a must. Sound booths and recording studios require a high level of insulation from background noise, which acoustical sealant provides. However, if you're trying to cut costs in building a home and your son just got a set of drums for his birthday, applying a line of gun foam around the drywall in his room will make everyone a lot happier.
Source:
Fastenal: 20oz OneComponent Polyurethane Foam Sealant-No Warp Gun Foam
Acoustical Surfaces Inc.: Acoustic Sealant Chemical Information
RELATED QUESTIONS
Copyright 2023, Wired Ivy, LLC