Rapid urbanization has led to increased population density, intensified transportation networks, and expanding industrial and commercial activities, all of which contribute significantly to environmental noise pollution. Urban noise has emerged as a critical public health concern, associated with adverse effects such as sleep disturbance, cardiovascular diseases, cognitive impairment, and reduced quality of life. Sound insulation in buildings plays a vital role in mitigating these impacts by reducing the transmission of unwanted noise from external and internal sources. The effectiveness of sound insulation depends largely on the physical, mechanical, and acoustic properties of construction materials used in walls, floors, ceilings, and facades.

This research article examines the impact of different construction and composite materials on sound insulation performance in urban environments. A comprehensive review of existing literature is conducted to identify commonly used sound-insulating materials, including concrete, brick, gypsum board, glass, mineral wool, polymer-based composites, recycled materials, and emerging smart and bio-based materials. Experimental methodologies for assessing sound insulation—such as airborne sound insulation (Sound Reduction Index, R), impact sound insulation (Ln,w), and field measurement techniques—are discussed in detail. The study further presents a comparative analysis of material performance based on density, thickness, porosity, stiffness, and installation techniques.

Results indicate that high-mass materials such as concrete and masonry provide superior airborne sound insulation, while porous and fibrous materials such as mineral wool and acoustic foams are highly effective in sound absorption and impact noise reduction when used in layered systems. Composite and hybrid assemblies demonstrate significantly improved performance compared to single-layer constructions. The discussion highlights the importance of material selection in relation to urban noise sources, sustainability considerations, cost, and building regulations. The study concludes by emphasizing the need for integrated acoustic design approaches and the adoption of innovative materials to address the growing challenge of urban noise pollution.