There is a Greek myth about a nymph named Echo. As the story goes, she was such a chatterbox that she incurred the irritation of the goddess Hera. She was condemned never to speak again of her own accord, only to repeat the last of what anyone else says. So was the ancient explanation for the phenomenon of the echo, which is the reverberation of sound. Now while echoes are quaint while one is climbing mountains or rowing on a scenic lake, they are referred to as noise in more modern settings. This is where acoustic spray comes in.

Acoustic spray is basically foam spray that is used in commercial and domestic construction to make rooms and other indoor structures more sound-proofed. It consists of open-cell foam that absorbs sound well. Sound waves travel like air, easily going through gaps inside a building. Any space between rooms, no matter how tiny, can filter unwanted noise through.

Sound also reflects off hard surfaces, creating more echoes, more noise. Buildings with walls and ceilings untreated with some form of acoustic spray are likely to have higher noise levels. This is especially true if the materials used in the structure have high sound reflective properties, such as metal, hardwood or concrete. Fancy the chaos that would ensue should events happen simultaneously in a house like this. The talking and laughing of guests at a son's dinner party would compete with his mother's love for evenings with Celine Dion videos. And then it rains, pelting the roof hard.

The importance of acoustic insulation rests on practical, cost-effective reasons, as well as for reasons of privacy. In a lot of homes, ways to lessen noise include carpeting, using drapes, and installing absorbent ceiling panels. But while these methods are handy solutions, they may not be as efficient in the long run.

Treating a building's interior with acoustic spray saves on monetary costs as well as on costs in time and effort. Most homeowners overlook the fact that noise pollution can become a future problem, and then later renovate their houses accordingly. Having walls and ceilings that have already been properly sound-proofed eliminates this expensive enterprise.

Acoustic spray is easy enough to use. It fixes all possible problems regarding noise, from batting down holes where unnecessary sound might go through to assuring excellent acoustics. This has made it a favorite for use not just in homes, but in public places such as bars, theaters, churches, libraries and areas that are noise-sensitive.

Buildings and homes with good acoustics enjoy a more relaxed atmosphere. Acoustic insulation gives a family more privacy, so that one doesn't have to hear an argument going on in the living room while making breakfast in the kitchen. It prevents sound from going in and coming out, reducing noise on both sides. And it is great for aesthetics. Cloth panels and drapes may not be so easy on the eye, but buildings that have been treated are still allowed to retain their architectural and interior design.

With acoustic spray in place, a thunderstorm may rage outside, but indoors, people can still enjoy a movie marathon at top volume or play video games as loudly as possible.