What are acoustic panels and why do we use them?

Acoustic panels are large, soft-furnished panels that can be strategically placed within rooms to improve sound quality by absorbing reflected sound, or echoes.

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They can be made from a vast array of materials such as a combination of foam and fabric, PPET Eco Felt, Wood Wool, or biophilic elements like cork or moss, the acoustic panels can be made into a range of shapes and sizes and customised to complement the design of your space.

The main purpose of acoustic panels is to remove residual sound in any space. When installed correctly in a room, acoustic panels can absorb or diffuse sound from the first point of reflection.

The effectiveness of good quality acoustic panels means that you can use far less so that you’re not at risk of over-cluttering areas and spaces.

These acoustic ceiling panels were designed, manufactured and installed by Sound-Zero to control residual sound in the meeting rooms at Techspace in London.

Here at Sound Zero, we’ve designed high-quality panels to target broadband frequencies, meaning that they can be used for a range of purposes.

Absorbers & diffusers

Acoustic Panels can be designed as absorbers or diffusers, depending on the intended purpose and outcome that you’re trying to achieve.

Absorbers and diffusers are the main design tools for altering the acoustic conditions of rooms, semi-enclosed spaces and the outdoor environment. Their correct use is important for delivering high-quality acoustics so it’s always best to speak to an expert to help you decide which products are best for your room.

Throughout our in-depth consultation process, our experts will outline the best solution for you, but as a general rule.

The benefits of acoustic panels

Acoustic panels can be effectively utilised in a range of spaces, for example, restaurants, bars, offices and music venues.

Ceiling Cloud system by Sound-Zero at the Kernel Brewery Arch 7 Taproom, London

As you might imagine, each space has its unique requirements, but they are all rooted in the need to improve sound quality and intelligibility.

As an example, open-plan office environments may have a designated area for the telesales or telemarketing department. Such environments involve loud conversations and ample opportunities for distraction.

When people are communicating in such proximity, acoustic panels which are placed in a particular area will help to localise the noise, keeping it contained.

Click here to learn more about office acoustics.

Short on wall space?

We touched briefly on this in the introduction, but smaller acoustic panels like the Wall Panel Pro or ceiling panels (baffles, grids, or rafts) are the ideal solution if you’re short on wall space.

Many offices and restaurants that we visit have a strong brand image which is often reflected in the wall décor that is chosen. The last thing they want is unattractive panels being placed on the walls.

Acoustic panels are fantastic because you don’t need to cover a whole wall space to acoustically solve the noise complaint. Our experts will identify the first point of reflection, which will inform them of the best location to place the wall panel.

What’s more, our panels have been developed with design in mind. We pride ourselves on delivering a strong, visual impact, incorporating your brand’s image within our design process.

There really is no need to compromise on your image in order to solve your noise issue.

Suspended ceiling panels

Bad acoustics are the result of a large, untreated hard surface area (walls, floors, ceiling, windows) and quite often, the largest, hardest surface area is the ceiling.

Air ducts and wiring tracks often prevent us from directly treating the ceiling’s surface, meaning that suspended acoustic panels are a great solution.

And as well as saving that much-valued wall space, they have a strong visual impact.

Acoustic ceiling baffles will make a noticeable difference to speech legibility in an open-plan office with little in the way of soft furnishings.

The proximity effect

Suspended acoustic panels reinforce what’s known in the science world as the ‘proximity effect’. In getting closer to the noise source at varying heights, the suspended panels are targeting and suppressing different frequencies.

Numerous venues have incorporated this methodology into their acoustic design; most notably, the Royal Albert Hall. Using convex reflectors suspended at various heights, the venue can tackle the room resonance, whilst delivering an unmatched quality of sound.

Music and concert venues are perfect examples of how you can ‘tune’ suspended acoustic panels to improve the experience of the consumer.

What are acoustic panels made from?

Commonly, acoustic panels are made from a timber frame with varying layers of acoustic foam.

Foam is the best material to use for an acoustic panel because it completely absorbs frequencies on the surface, so you get a resonance happening inside the cavity.

Therefore, above the cavity, you get noise cancellation. This is known as Helmholtz resonance.

Blending acoustics and art, our popular Wall Panel Pros ensure that your acoustics are effectively addressed whilst adding a splash of artistic design to your walls.

Easily customisable, we can use your own images and impose them on a fabric-wrapped acoustic panel, or choose a hard acrylic front with a cutaway design.

Wall Panel Pros are the ideal solution for music studios, offices, bars, restaurants and conference rooms.

Acoustic wall panels are an effective way of dealing with first-point reflection. The designs can be bold or discreet depending on preference.

If you’re aiming to incorporate biophilic principles into your building design, the Acoustic Moss Wall panel is the ideal solution for you. Moss acts as a natural sound absorber, which is ideal for any busy space, especially in open-plan areas.

Preserved Moss Wall acoustic panels are a stunning way to bring nature into your space and control the acoustics

3. Suspended Ceiling Clouds

We’ve written at length about the benefits of these; just look above. They’re a superb product, rooted in strong scientific understanding.

These Suspended Ceiling Clouds are stylish and control the noise issues in these meeting rooms with a lot of reflective surfaces

Conclusion

Acoustic panels provide numerous benefits, for example:

A more welcoming environment for customers

Boosted productivity in office and educational settings

Effective sound quality in music venues

Improved workplace safety

Reduced staff absenteeism

Happy customers, which means more return on investment

We hope that this blog has outlined some of the fundamental aspects of acoustic panelling solutions. If you require any further assistance, don’t hesitate to talk to one of our experts today.

What acoustic panels do

What do acoustic panels do?

What do acoustic panels do?

Acoustic panels are designed to reduce noise levels and eliminate echoes in a room. It works by absorbing sound waves and preventing them from reflecting off of hard surfaces. This can help to create a more pleasant and less noisy environment. The term “acoustic panel” refers to any type of panel, both vertical and horizontal, that is used for this purpose.

The Ins and Outs of Acoustic Panels: What You Need to Know

Do you have a noisy office? Or maybe your home theater is too loud for comfort? If so, acoustic panels may be the solution for you! Acoustic panels help to absorb sound and reduce noise levels. In this blog post, we will discuss what they are , what they do, and how to choose the right ones for your needs. We’ll also take a look at some of the pros and cons of using acoustic treatment to solve noise issues.

What are acoustic panels?

Acoustic panels are large, usually porous pieces of material that are strategically designed and placed within a room to reduce noise and echo. They commonly consist made of a sound-absorbing material or core and covered in a breathable acoustic fabric. that helps to dampen sound waves and reflections. They can be used in almost any environment or space but are most commonly used in recording studios, classrooms, offices, and other spaces where reducing excess noise is important.

How do acoustic panels work to reduce noise?

Acoustic panels work to reduce noise be removing excess reverberation, vibrations or echo within a space by stifling or muffling airborne sound waves. Their porous structure allows sound waves to enter the absorbing core and strip back excess frequencies to improve acoustic comfort. They also prevent the sounds bouncing off hard surfaces or structures such as walls, floors or windows.

There are a variety of panel types available, each with its own set of benefits and drawbacks. The most common type of consists of a mineral wool panel, which is made from rock wool or fiberglass. Mineral wool panels are effective at absorbing low-frequency sounds, but they are not as effective at absorbing high-frequency sounds. These are often either painted or wrapped in acoustic breathable fabric for a sleek finish. Recycled PET acoustic products have also gained popularity over recent years.  These panels can also be covered with a fabric such as velvet or canvas and can be effective at reducing reflections and diffusing sound. Acoustic foam is also a great option.

Why and when to use acoustic panels

Acoustic panels are not always required, but you will usually be able to notice a problem if there is one. Is your space feeling uncomfortable, loud or irritating? If you notice that the sound waves just don’t sound right, then acoustic treatment  are a great solution.

They will help reduce noise, but only within the space that they are installed. They won’t effectively stop or block noise or transfer of sound between spaces.

Acoustic panels are an important part of any open plan office, recording studio, live music room, or home theater. They help to absorb excess sound and prevent noise pollution. There are many different types, and each has its own set of benefits.

One of the most common forms of acoustic panels is acoustic foam. It is constructed from an open-cell, flexible material that effectively absorbs sound. Acoustic foam may be made to complement any room’s decor because it comes in a number of colours and thicknesses. Because acoustic foam has the potential to catch fire, it shouldn’t be utilised close to heat sources.

The bass trap is yet another well-liked design of acoustic panel. Low frequency noises, which are frequently problematic in recording studios and live music venues, can be absorbed using bass traps. Typically, dense materials like fibreglass or rockwool are used to make bass traps. To increase their effectiveness, they can be put against walls or in corners.

Another kind of acoustic panel that serves to enhance the sound in a space is an acoustic diffuser. Diffusers can lessen echoes and produce a more realistic sound because they distribute sound waves rather than absorbing them. Diffusers often come in a range of sizes and forms and are made of wood or metal.

No matter what type of acoustic panel you choose, it is important to make sure that it is installed correctly in order to achieve the best results. If you are not sure how to install acoustic panels, we can provide a complete survey, supply and installation service for you.

How many acoustic panels do I need?

The number of acoustic panels you would need would depend on the size of the room, the amount of noise coming from outside, and how much echo you want to reduce. In general, more acoustic panels will result in a deader space.

Link to Suyin Group

As a general rule of thumb, covering 30-40% of the wall surface area with is a good starting point to hear a difference. However, factors such as wall/ceiling surfaces and windows may require a unique approach. Ceiling panels are often the most effective sound absorbers and we recommend these for almost all projects, although not always practical.

If you are trying to completely block out outside noise, you will need more than acoustic panels than if you are merely trying to reduce echo in a room. The size of the room will also affect how many acoustic panels you need. A smaller room will require fewer panels than a larger room.

For open plan offices, there is a specified British standard which sets out guidelines for acoustic treatment in commercial building.

In general, it is best to consult with a professional to determine how many acoustic panels you need for your specific situation. They can take into account all of the factors mentioned above and help you choose the right number of panels for your needs.

Acoustic panels to absorb sound

Our ears pick up on sound waves, which are vibrations that move through the air or any other medium. Numerous things, including but not limited to musical instruments, people speaking, electrical devices, and background noise, can produce these waves. Sound-absorbing materials can be used to lessen the quantity of noise that is present in a certain area.

Acoustic panels are one type of sound-absorbing material that can be used to reduce noise levels in a space. These panels are usually made of fiberglass or other absorbent materials, and are designed to absorb sound waves. Acoustic panels can be used in a variety of settings, including office spaces, classrooms, music studios, and home theaters.

One kind of sound-absorbing material that can be utilised to lower noise levels in an area are acoustic panels. These panels are intended to absorb sound waves and are often composed of fibreglass or other absorbent materials. Offices, classrooms, music studios, and home theatres are just a few places where acoustic panels can be employed.

If you’re interested in reducing noise levels in your home or office, acoustic panels may be a good option for you. There are many different types and styles of acoustic panels available on the market, so you should be able to find something that meets your needs and fits your budget.

Conclusion

Acoustic panels are a great way to reduce noise levels in any room, as well as improve the quality of sound. These panels are typically made from fiberglass or other absorbent materials and come in a variety of shapes and sizes. Acoustic diffusers are another type of acoustic panel that can help to reduce echoes by scattering sound waves instead of absorbing them.

Why and how you should use an acoustic panel

About acoustic correction

Acoustic absorption should not be confused with insulation

Echoes and sound pollution coming from outside or from one room to another can be reduced thanks to acoustic insulation, which is typically achieved by fitting solid boards at the moment the building is constructed. Acoustic panels are thus not the right solution for insulating spaces that suffer from noise pollution originating from the outside. Their main role is to absorb sound coming from within the room in question.

Issues :

Sound reverberation could come from material used for the construction of the building : glass, concrete, or metal. It could also be the consequence of a lack of  furniture.

You can improve auditive and wellness comfort to correct the sound reverberation in a room. Sound issues in professionnal spaces are more and more present with the growth of openspaces.

Consequences :

Sound reverberation result in unpleasant noise feeling, especially when noise and voices are loud.

We then see :

intelligibility lack

moral fatigue

lack of concentration

You need to treat room acoustic to avoid daily issues for everyone wellness.

In which situations should an acoustic panel be used?

Correcting the acoustics of a room has the main benefit of improving the well-being and acoustic comfort of its occupants. Acoustic panels are used when the echo or sound resonance of a room is too strong. This can be due to the materials used in the construction of the building (glass, concrete or metal) or simply because the decoration is too minimalist.

Echoing sound can often give the impression that there is an unpleasant background noise. Due to the increase in the volume of the sound. Rooms with an excessively high resonance result in an irrevocable loss of intelligibility, which leads to tiredness and lack of concentration for their occupants.

Regardless of the space concerned, acoustic treatment is effective immediately if it is carried out properly (following a correct assessment). Please feel free to contact us for more information.

Materials used

Acoustic panels can perform different roles in addition to acoustic treatment. They can be used to give better structure to spaces or simply as decoration.

An acoustic panel is typically composed of:

An absorbent foam for acoustic purposes

A single-colour or printed fabric cover

What does acoustic panels do ?

Depending on how they are installed, acoustic panels can perform various roles:

Absorbing sound

Reducing sound pollution

Acoustic correction

The configuration will vary depending on requirements. Acoustic panels will be installed differently in a meeting room compared with in an open-space office, for example. Depending on the source of the noise pollution and the configuration of the space, acoustic panels can be placed in various locations.

Did you know?

A sound wave is multidirectional – it spreads out across an entire room and towards all of the elements in the room. Sound waves hit whatever they encounter – walls, ceilings, furniture and people. When a sound wave encounters an object, part of it travels through it and out the other side, part of it is bounced off and part of it is absorbed. The role of acoustic panels and acoustic elements is thus to increase the extent to which sound waves hitting them are absorbed, in order to reduce their intensity and echo.

The visual appeal of acoustic panels

As we said before, acoustic panels can also improve the visual appearance of a room. They can be customised and adapted to the spirit and colours of any company. You can choose a printed, single-colour or mottled finish, different shapes and colours and with or without a frame, even adding lights, before finding the right spot on your wall, on your ceiling or in the middle of the room.

The possibilities are unlimited. Are you up to the challenge?

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