Sound attenuating laminates, and methods of making the same, are provided.
Heat is applied to a surface of a non-woven, fibrous layer of material to
form a stratum of melted fibers having a density greater than that of the
remainder of the fibrous layer. The density of the melted fibers is
effective in attenuating noise traversing the fibrous layer of material.
Upholstery material, such as carpeting, is attached to the surface of the
heated fibrous layer. The fibrous layer and upholstery material are then
subjected to compressive molding pressure to obtain a desired shape. The
compressive molding pressure may further tune the sound attenuating
properties of the fibrous layer by selectively changing the densities of
portions of the fibrous layer.