Best type of Area Rug to absorb sound

[thephatp]

Ok, I've never owned a HT system before, so I'm quite new at this. Our living room is going to be all ceramic tile, so we have to lay an area rug down. My wife and I have finally agreed--we are going to up down a shag rug.

So what is the best material for absorbing sound? (and please rank these, just in case I can't find the best one for a reasonable price!)

- 100% cotton
- 100% wool
- Mix of wool and cotton
- 100% Modacrylic
- 100% Polypropylene

I want to put a thick pad underneath the rug. Any suggestions for the best sound absorbing pad??

Thanks!

 

[Catdaddy]

I am guessing you probably wont even notice the rug in the living room. Ive got carpet in my media room, and I dont even know its there unless I step on it.

 

[thephatp]

Yeah, probably won't notice until you walk to sit on the couch.

Any suggestions on what's best? And any suggestions as to where I can buy a GOOD pad to go underneath to help?

 

[Buckeyefan 1]

Yeah, probably won't notice until you walk to sit on the couch.

Any suggestions on what's best? And any suggestions as to where I can buy a GOOD pad to go underneath to help?

Home Depot or Lowes sells the pad and the carpet. Any good shag will do fine, but keep in mind cotton won't clean up red wine spills like a poly will. Carpets get dirty, and the longer the loop, the tougher they are to clean. Also consider a tapestry or window treatments for the wall/windows. Sound bouncing off two surfaces is bad enough. Three will kill you.

 

[Catdaddy]

Do you have a ceiling fan, or just a light in there?

You might want to pad the ceiling, too .. while you are at it.

 

[outsider]

I want to put a thick pad underneath the rug. Any suggestions for the best sound absorbing pad??

try to find a fiber pad. this should work better, not only for sound absorbtion, but also for area rugs.
Go talk to a local independent floorcovering dealer. Avoid the box stores.

 

[Rock&Roll Ninja]

I once saw a shag-leather rug. I wish I bought it at the time, I would so be filming porno at my house by now.

 

[Tom Andry]

bam-chicka-bam-bam