The UDL Educational Technology Guide 2019-2020: Technology for Special Education

John F. O'Sullivan

Subsection 1 Sound

Hanging up the acoustic tiles to reduce sound is not a high technology solution. Sensitivity to sound is a sensory problem that is hard to fix and often ignored. Acoustic foam tile is not expensive to hang. The challenge is getting the foam to stick to the wall. By gluing on a plastic back, that is the size the tiles can be easily attached to the wall with sticky Velcro. Having spent the time to hang the tiles though several methods I can say this method works the best. The only flaw is that if you are in a school, the fire department will not like these tiles. However, as a parent, it solves a real problem. If hanging these tiles leads to a child sleeping, doing homework or not fighting with parents, the tiles are a big positive. 

The way to hang the acoustic tiles is to glue clear plastic squares to the back of the tiles with regular glue. There is no need to buy a special type of glue. Once the plastic square is fixed to the tile, hang the tiles with sticky Velcro. The sticky Velcro will stick to the wall and plastic backing of the acoustic tile. Then, you arrange the tiles in the pattern you desire.  

Acoustic Tiles

Foam Factory
This is where I purchased acoustic foam tiles at a good price. 

Grafix Clear Craft Plastic .007 Thickness 12-Inch by 12-Inch, Pack of 25
This is an inexpensive way to enable acoustic tiles to stick to a wall. If you use regular generic glue to attach this clear plastic square to the back of the tiles, they will hang quite nicely. The squares and tiles are the same sizes. I used sticky Velcro to attach them to the wall. 

Elmer's Glue-All Multi-Purpose Liquid Glue, Extra Strong, 32 Ounces, 1 Count (E3850)
This is inexpensive glue that can be used to attach the plastic squares to acoustic tiles. 

Duck Brand Self Adhesive Foam Weather-strip Seal for Extra Large Gaps, 3/4-Inch x 1/2-Inch x 10-Feet, 3 Rolls, 284424
These foam strips are used to insulate doors in a home. The insulation can also stop sound from passing through a door. This thick foam goes along the door jam. This does not have to seal the door to work. The idea is to have sound hit the foam on the way through the door. You do not have to seal the door. 

Foam Strips with Adhesive, High-Density Soundproofing Window Insulation Foam Gasket Tape Weather Strip 1 Inch Wide X 1/8 Inch Thick X 33 Feet Long (1in 1/8in)
This thin foam goes between the door and the doorway. This can prevent the door from making noise when slamming. The foam does a great job of stopping sound from coming through your door. 

Velcro

Strenco 2 Inch Adhesive Black Hook and Loop Tape - 5 Yards - Heavy Duty - Sticky Back Fastener
This Velcro is very thick. That means it can hand and hold up a lot of weight. That means the tile will stick and you will not have to fix them later.

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