Does Denim Insulation Soundproofing Really Work?

When it comes to soundproofing a space, whether it’s a home office, recording studio, or your kid’s new drum room, many homeowners and DIYers are turning to eco-friendly alternatives. One material generating a lot of buzz is denim insulation, made from recycled jeans and cotton fibers. But while it sounds like a sustainable dream, the big question remains: Does denim insulation really work for soundproofing?

In this post, we’ll break down how denim insulation performs when it comes to blocking and absorbing sound, where it excels, where it falls short, and whether it’s the right choice for your soundproofing project. Let’s dive into the (surprising) truth behind this blue-hued solution.

What is Denim Insulation?

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Denim insulation is made using recycled denim and cotton products.

These products include post-industrial denim, like your blue jeans and other cotton products.

The manufacturers get the raw materials from second-hand stores, retailers, and individuals who no longer want their denim products.

Other sources include industrial cotton scraps and castoffs from manufacturers and mills.

All the above materials are taken through a shredder after all buttons, zippers, and non-cotton parts are removed.

Once shredded into small pieces, the denim is separated and blended into fibers before it’s treated to make it heat, pests, mildew resistant.

Finally, the treated fibers are processed into soundproofing rolls.

The first denim insulation product was made in the 1980s, and this soundproofing can be found in the market to date.

Is Denim Insulation Good For Sound Absorption?

Yes, denim insulation is very good for sound absorption.

Here’s why:

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✅ High Sound Absorption (NRC Rating)

Denim insulation typically has a Noise Reduction Coefficient (NRC) of around 0.90 to 1.15, depending on thickness. That means it can absorb 90% or more of sound waves (especially in the mid to high-frequency range), reducing echo, reverberation, and overall noise within a room.

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✅ Porous and Dense Fiber Structure

Made from tightly packed recycled cotton and denim fibers, this insulation traps airborne sound energy and converts it into heat. This porous structure is ideal for absorbing reflected sound waves.

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✅ Great for Improving Room Acoustics

Denim insulation is commonly used in:

• Home theaters

• Music studios

• Office walls

• Home interiors where echo control is needed

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⚠️ But Remember:

While it’s excellent for absorbing sound inside a room, it doesn’t block sound between rooms very well. That’s because it lacks mass and density — key factors for soundproofing (i.e., isolation).

How Effective Is Denim Insulation?

Denim insulation has a few physical properties that give it an edge over other popular soundproofing options such as fiberglass. 

For example, 3.5-inch denim insulation has an STC rating of 52 for sounds in the 1000hz range, while the rating for fiberglass doesn’t go beyond 39. (Source)

Thanks to its multi-dimensional microstructure, denim is more effective in isolating and absorbing sound waves. Other outstanding features include:

Thermal conductivity

Demin is also a low-density material, so it does an excellent job of reducing thermal conductivity. This makes it ideal for home insulation.

Fire Resistance

Denim is rated A as far as fire resistance is concerned. This is the highest rating, and it means that the insulation can withstand exposure to severe fire coming from outside the building.

Eco-friendly

Denim insulation is also Eco-friendly. Over 80% of it’s made using recycled materials.

It’s also good for the skin, and you don’t need gloves when installing it.

Easy to install

Denim insulation comes in rolls that you can easily install in areas that need soundproofing. Cutting the insulation to fit in smaller spaces is easy, not to mention that you can squeeze it to fit in those odd-shaped corners.

Nonallergic

Cotton is a friendly material, especially for people with allergies. The insulation is non-allergic and is less likely to trigger sensitive people in your home.

Even better, the insulation doesn’t come with irritants. Only borax is used to treat the insulation to attract mold and pests once installed.

The material is also LEEDS-approved.

Who Makes Denim Insulation?

UltraTouch is the leading manufacturer of denim insulation. While the manufacturer has stopped its production, you can still buy denim insulation on Amazon, Homedepot, and other leading online stores.

UltraTouch has a wide range of other outstanding soundproofing materials. Search their products online, and you will see what the company has to offer.

If you don’t find the UltraTouch denim insulation, you can also go for the Frost King multi-purpose cotton insulation. It comes with the same benefits and is perfect for soundproofing pipes and other tight spots in your home.

How to Install Denim Insulation

The Denim installation process is similar to that of fiberglass or stone wool. It involves compressing the insulation rolls to fit into the spaces that you want to soundproof. 

Squeeze the insulation to fit between the studs on your walls.

The material should fit well within the frame.

For a construction without studs and an elaborate framing, use nails and staples to secure the top and sides of each batt. The goal is to securely hold it in position.

Don’t leave gaps between denim insulation rolls, as these will let sound into your space.

Since the soundproofing rolls are compressed, you need to give them time to rebound.

Give the rolls a shake after opening the package and allow a few hours for them to get to their original thickness.

Please note that rolls will take longer to rebound when the humidity is high.

Denim insulation rolls are perforated, so it’s easy to separate them into 48-inch-tall pieces.

Push these smaller pieces into the floor, wall, or ceiling that need insulation.

For those odd-shaped cavities, you can cut the cotton mats into much smaller spaces using a utility knife.

Be careful not to destroy the structure and add a semi-impermeable plastic sheet vapor barrier where necessary. 

Conclusion

Denim insulation soundproofing comes with outstanding qualities.

The product is dense, efficient, and non-allergic.

This type of soundproofing is also good for the environment. The only downside is that it’s not as readily available.

If you are looking for denim soundproofing, you can search for UltraTouch and Frost King brands.

UltraTouch no longer makes denim soundproofing material, but some stores still have it in stock.

If you cannot find denim insulation, we have also provided a list of other outstanding soundproofing options.

Go through the list above and see which material will deliver the results that you want.