Do you make baffle panels (with fabric on both sides) for hanging from the ceiling?

Yes, we do make acoustic baffles with fabric on both sides and embedded rings for hanging from a ceiling. Please contact us here to discuss.

Deco Sound contains other products and information you need, so please check it out.

Do these acoustic panels have a fire rating?

All components utilized in the construction of these acoustic wall panels meet a Class A (1) rating as tested per ASTM E-84 (measurements of surface flame spread and smoke development). This is the highest and safest fire rating possible for building materials. 

Is this product tackable? Will using tacks damage the panels?

Yes, these acoustic panels are tackable. The acoustic core will hold pins and tacks without any damage to the panel. Also, the Guilford of Maine fabrics we use are "self-healing" when tacked with pins or thumbtacks. This makes our panels great for offices and classrooms.  All that said, if you do cover a substantial amount of the panel in paper, then sound will not be absorbed as efficiently since it'll be reflecting off the paper. I'd keep the paper placed on them to a minimum.

Is there a recommended space between panels?  Is it a problem if there’s too much spacing between the panels?

No, as long as you have the sufficient quantity of acoustic panels and achieve the minimum recommended coverage then the distance between panels doesn't matter.

Where should I mount the acoustic panels in the room? 

In general, it's recommended to disperse the panels throughout the room as evenly as possible.

Do you make custom sized panels? What are the largest panels you can make?

Yes, we can make acoustic panels in almost any size and shape up to 4’x8’.  Please give us a list of your panel quantities and dimensions and we can get a quote started for you.  Also please send your shipping address and we’ll get a shipping cost as well. Note, for panels bigger than 48”x24” in size, we may need to ship via LTL (less than truckload) freight service. If that’s the case we’ll have a few more questions. Contact us here to discuss.

Can these acoustical panels be cut down to size?

No, our panels are not meant to be cut down. The acoustic panels are made of a sound-absorbing fiberglass core with the exterior wrapped in scrim and Guilford of Maine acoustic fabric. So cutting the panel would irreparably damage the finished exterior. If you're interested in different sizes or shapes that you can't find in our store, please contact us here and we would be happy discuss!

How do these acoustic panels compare to foam eggcrate-style panels?

Our acoustic panels (acoustic fiberglass core) will generally absorb about twice as much sound as foam eggcrate/pyramids/etc. and they'll do a great job of absorbing unwanted noise, echo, and reverb.

What are the components of the panels? What materials are used to make this? Is it a wood frame? What if the material inside the panel? Is the fabric breathable?

Our acoustic panels are made from a dense, sound-absorbing fiberglass core wrapped in scrim (a thin textile layer) and then wrapped in an acoustically-transparent polyester fabric by Guilford of Maine. Acoustic transparency means that sound waves can pass through and be absorbed by the core, rather than bouncing off and echoing around the room. The fabric is very porous, so I guess you could say its breathable. The edges of the fiberglass core are hardened for stability - there is no wood frame.

Do you sell acoustic foam for attaching under chairs and tables in a restaurant? Does that method work for absorbing sound?

We haven’t tested foam under chairs and tables and can’t recommend it. The downsides are likely that they don't absorb very much sound because foam is thin and not dense. The other potential problem is the foam may disintegrate over time and create a mess.

Can the acoustic panels handle high humidity or moisture?  Can you use the panels in a yoga studio?

Our panels stand up well to high humidity. That said, the panels should never remain wet indefinitely. Just like with any material, if left damp, then molds will likely form over time. It's important that the room has good ventilation and the walls and panels are allowed to completely dry in between classes and/or overnight.

Can the acoustic panels be used in on an outdoor patio space or lanai that is covered and protected?

It’s not an ideal place to put them, but our panels can be used in an outdoor space if it is far from and well-protected from the elements (rain, wind, etc). The panels will withstand humidity well but should not remain wet. Just like with any material, if left damp, then molds will likely form over time. And just like any furniture or fabric-covered items, they may not have the same longevity if they're exposed to outdoor weather as items kept indoors.

How much does it cost to ship these acoustic panels?

As shipping costs vary, if you send us a list of the panels you’re interested in and your shipping address, we’d be happy to get you a quote.  Normally the panels ship via UPS Ground, but if it is a large order or if the panels are over 48”x24” in dimensions we’ll usually ship via LTL (less than truckload) freight carrier.

What are the considerations for shipping via LTL? 

For panels that are bigger than around 48”x24” in size we may need to ship via LTL freight, so we will need this info:

- Is there a loading dock at the delivery location?
- Do you need the driver to help bring the panels inside (or will there be people there to bring them in?)
- Do you need a delivery appointment, or will there be people there during normal business hours to accept the panels?

Please provide that info when ordering. Contact us here to discuss.

Can you ship these sound panels internationally?

Thanks for your interest. Unfortunately, we currently only ship within the US and Canada.

1. Do acoustic panels help with soundproofing?

In a nutshell, no. Understandably, this is a confusing one, but there is a huge difference between acoustic treatment and soundproofing.

Acoustic Panels(tr,es,hu), Bass Traps, and Diffusers are all acoustic treatments used to control the acoustics within a space (e.g., reducing reverb, echo, bass trapping).

Soundproofing refers to isolating a room from its surroundings or to stop the transmission of sound through one wall to the next. Soundproofing almost always requires some degree of construction to build heavy new structures that are decoupled from the other walls and ceilings.

2. What are bass traps?

Bass traps are low-frequency, sound-absorbing devices. They are used to absorb the very large waveforms created by low frequencies.

Without effectively absorbing low frequencies, rooms have massive dips and peaks in their frequency response.

For more information, please visit Acoustic Slat Wood Wall Panels.

Bass traps come in a few varieties, the most common ones are porous absorbers, membrane absorbers, and Helmholtz resonators.

3. What are room modes?

Room modes are natural resonances that occur when speakers or a sound source excite a room at frequencies with wavelengths equal to the room dimensions.

This leads to standing waves that cause large distortions to the frequency response of the room, emphasizing some sounds while masking others, and causing very uneven decay times. Ultimately this leaves you with an inconsistent and undefined foundation for your monitoring system.

5. I have extra acoustic foam, can I use that in my room?

Not all acoustic foams are created equal but for the most part, the answer is no. The cheap acoustic foam with wedges or triangles does not have the required mass or depth to effectively absorb mid or low frequencies. If you are only looking to absorb frequencies above 2,000Hz though, go for it.

6. How much acoustic treatment do I need?

This will vary drastically from room to room based on the use of the room and the desired soundscape. Recording studios have very different needs from restaurants and one restaurant will inevitably want a different sonic scape than another. If you need help figuring out what is needed for your space, fill out our Free Room Advice Form.

Here are some recommendations that can give you a ballpark sense of what is needed.

Home Studios: 30 to 60% of the walls and ceiling covered

Control Rooms: 50 to 75% of the walls and ceiling covered

Podcast Studios: 50 to 75% of the walls and ceiling covered

Restaurants: 35 to 45% of walls or ceiling covered

Offices: 20 to 50% of walls and ceiling covered

For recording studios, we need to break this down into two categories: For control rooms and home studios, you want to start by targeting the early reflections on the sidewalls, ceiling, and back wall. This will start to establish a reflection-free zone at the listening position. For tracking rooms, you will generally want to start with an even distribution of acoustic treatment. Often times this will consist of both absorption and diffusion.

If you need help figuring out where to put acoustic treatments in your space, fill out our Free Room Advice Form and we’ll be in touch.

8. What are sound barriers?

Sound barriers are materials or combinations of materials used to isolate a sound source or room. Typically, sound barriers are built into walls during the construction phase but there are some products that can be retrofitted on existing walls/structures.

In order to be an effective sound barrier across the frequency spectrum, these materials need to be very dense and heavy. Mass-loaded vinyl is commonly used in soundproofing applications as a sound barrier both in walls and as a floor underlayment. Two layers of drywall with Green Glue between them is another example of a common sound barrier used for soundproofing.

9. How do I Soundproof a door?

Soundproofing a door is a difficult task if you are hoping to stop any and all sound from getting through it. There are some acoustic doors that will get you close but they will cost you around $4,000 each.

Luckily most of the time, total isolation is not required, and you can build your own soundproof door with readily available products.

Our preferred DIY method is to use a solid wood core door and adoor seal kit. The most important thing here is achieving an airtight seal all the way around the door when it is shut.

If you are framing out a new room, utilizing double doors is always the best practice. Use solid wood core doors for both and door seal kits. If you are on a budget, you can use an automatic door bottom and silicone door seal.

10. How do I soundproof a window?

First, are you blocking/covering/plugging a window, or do you want to preserve that precious natural light? If you no longer need a functional window or natural light, the cheapest and simplest option is to cover the window.

1. Build a frame 1.5” taller and wider than your window out of 6.5”x.75” boards.

2. Put weather stripping on the back of the frame to de-couple it from the wall and to provide an airtight seal.