We list the most commonly used acoustic products. This way you can discover quick and easy how different solutions (e.g. acoustic wall panels, acoustic wallpaper, acoustic paintings and other acoustic material) perform in terms of sound absorption, sound insulation, costs and applicability.
Link to Suyin Group
Often, we only find out that our house sounds bad when it is already furnished. The decor is carefully put together, it looks beautiful. But it still doesn't sound right. There is a disturbing reverb that makes your house not feel warm and comfortable.
When you are looking for acoustic solutions, you will find a wide rang of products: acoustic panels, acoustic ceiling panels, acoustic wallpaper, acoustic paintings, bubble foam or foam panels.
Ideally, the acoustics are already taken into account when building the house. Fortunately, this is usually not the case. Because it is difficult (but not impossible) to make structural adjustments later on. We assume that you are not looking for structural adjustments such as acoustic building materials.
You may have the following questions:
* If you want to discover in just 2 minutes what the best acoustic solution is for you, scroll straight to the table at the bottom of this article. Here you will find an overview of the main categories of available products to reduce bad acoustics. All you have to do is make the right choice.
You can create an acoustic wall with acoustic panels. It often consists of a combination of wood and felt, and sometimes alternative materials such as fabric and foam. Panels are available in different sizes and usually applied to the wall. There is also an acoustic panel for the ceiling, which we will discuss later.
Acoustics can be divided into two main categories: sound absorption and insulation. To simplify: absorption affects sound within the room, insulation affects sound transmission between rooms. When we refer to acoustics, we focus on sound absorption in this article.
Acoustics are a matter of sound reflection and absorption. Many factors in rooms affect the amount of reverb, for example:
When you speak, a sound wave is created. It moves from the sound source (person speaking, loudspeaker, TV, instruments) to the person who hears the sound. As it travels, it is affected by the features it encounters.
If there is a bare hard wall, sound will scatter in hundreds of directions. The different sound waves that are created are heard at different times. This creates reverb or echo.
When you install acoustic panels, they will absorb the sound waves that come into contact with the wall. This will reduce the amount of echo because less waves are reflected. The sound panels stop sound waves from travelling toward you. Noise disappears in the acoustic panel.
The acoustic performance of an acoustic panel is mainly caused by the felt that is often used behind the wood, and not so much by the wood itself. Therefore acoustic panels made up from wooden slats often lack absorptive capacities. The best acoustic panels can reach class A absorption by mounting sound-absorbing material (such as rock wool or mineral wool) behind the panel during installation.
Luckily we have developed unique felt-felt acoustic panels. Because we added slats made from acoustic felt, sound is also absorbed by the slats. This makes acoustic panels by Easewall excellent sound absorbers, which are up to 4x more effect than wooden slat panels.
In addition to good acoustics, wall panels can also create a pleasant atmosphere. Because they are also a decorative element in your home.
Acoustical panels are available in different sizes and applications. Usually in case of wooden slat panels they need to be mounted on a frame on the wall.
You must be handy and be able to use various tools to install them. For example: in most cases you have to make the frame yourself. It must contain beams of the correct size and thickness and it's of utmost importance that everything is flush and mounted level. If you are not handy yourself, hire a professional to install them.
A disadvantage is, that when you want to remove the panels again, a lot of damage from the installation remains on the wall. This is caused by the screws and the frame. After removal, the wall often has to be repaired and sometimes plastered again.
Mounting with a frame has the advantage that you can store extra acoustic material in the 'empty space' in the frame, which makes them thicker and better performing.
Acoustic panels by Easewall can be mounted directly to the wall, as they are made up solely out of acoustic felt, and there is no need for additional materials behind the panels for them to be effective.
Is acoustic wallpaper still new to you? We get that! Acoustic wallpaper is a new innovation on the well-known acoustic panels.
Just like with acoustic panels, you can transform bare walls into acoustic surfaces. So that the noise and echo disappears and you can experience sound with more clarity.
Acoustic wallpaper consists of felt, which is very effective at absorbing sound waves and ambient noise. It is a thick and durable material, with a high class noise reduction coefficient. Some manufacturers produce high quality felt which is made from recycled plastic (PET) bottles. So that you not only improve the acoustics but also make a sustainable choice for the environment.
In addition to good acoustics, wallpaper stands out at creating a good atmosphere. So that they are also a decorative element in your home. The room feels warmer, and you can talk to each other again without any disturbing reverberations.
Acoustic wallpaper is available in different lengths and compositions and can sometimes be applied directly to the wall. Most acoustic wallpapers come on a roll, so that it can easily be cut to any desired lengt or size.
Some manufacturers offer acoustic wallpaper that comes with a self-adhesive backing layer, so installation is a piece of cake. In that case, the rooms do not have to be pretreated. So extensive DIY skills or heavy machinery is not needed. You can simply stick the product on the wall yourself, or have it installed by a professional carpenter/upholsterer if that is what you prefer.
The best part is that there are a variety of designs available. This allows you to add the right touch to the interior of your home. Whatever your preferences, it can be used in the living room, bedroom, kitchen, office, or a (home) office. You can make your walls come to life, or on the other hand let them blend in with your interior. It all depends on your personal design preference.
Advantage: because you can apply the acoustic wallpaper directly to almost any wall, you save on the costs of plastering a wall. It can be applied directly to a ''wallpaper-ready wall''.
Acoustic solutions are best applied in a smart way. It is important that you choose the right materials, and place them in the right location to notice a difference. But luckily you don't have to figure it all out yourself, we're going to help you. Whether you are looking for a solution for the living room, office (at home), bedroom or kitchen. Below you will find tips, so that you can achieve great acoustics.
Does your home have a high ceiling? It's every designer's dream, but an acoustic nightmare.
If you do not want to make structural adjustments, it can help to lower the ceiling using (floating) sound panels. They break and absorb the sound before it can reach the ceiling and prevent them from bouncing back in different directions. This way (part of) the sound waves are absorbed and you prevent reverberation.
Not only a ceiling panel is useful, an equivalent option is acoustic wallpaper or acoustic panelling.
Does your space have walls that are close together? For example, think of a space such as a meeting room or an office. These types of spaces may behave like a sound box.
There is often little room to mount acoustic panels, because this makes the space smaller. In this case, it is best to choose acoustic wallpaper or hang acoustic panels from the ceiling to control noise.
Do you have a smaller budget? Then you can try to furnish the room with furniture made of soft materials, plants and possibly add an acoustic painting.
Does your home have sleek walls, floors and modern furnishings with few soft materials?
In this case, you can improve the sound quality in your home in various ways. Which product you choose is a matter of taste.
If you prefer a minimalist interior, it is best to choose solutions that blend in with the space. Acoustic wallpaper or acoustic panels are the way to go.
If you are open to adding soft materials, opt for upholstered furniture, curtains or a nice thick rug in a large format. Even a minimalist interior could use a soft touch, right? You will find all the tips and tricks for including to acoustics into your interior design in this article.
Have you already tried to use soft materials and solutions such as foam panels and acoustic paintings? Is there an insufficient result?
A frequently heard problem is that, despite (small) adjustments, you still were not able to control noise the way you would like. Although the reverberation is reduced, it is still annoyingly present. Have you already tried enough soft materials in the house, and maybe even an acoustic painting. Then it would be a good idea to look at a different approach to bad acoustics, by adding acoustic panels or acoustic wallpaper.
Acoustic paintings help you improve the acoustics in a small space. Usually the painting is made up of an acoustic panel surrounded by a front of textile. The textile allows sound to pass through, causing it to enter the acoustic panel. Then the sound is (partly) absorbed by the absorbing material.
Paintings are a beautiful addition to any interior. A work of art can also give a personal touch to your interior. Acoustic paintings are designed with various prints or illustrations, but you can sometimes also add your own photo to make an acoustic photo panel with a personal touch. They are available in different sizes.
How nice is it when a unique item also immediately helps to improve acoustic performance? However, to really improve the acoustics you need sufficient volume. In this case, the larger the painting, the better the result. That is why a painting is only applicable in a small space or when only a small effect is needed.
Disadvantage: The surface the painting covers is not enough to make a really effective difference in most spaces.
When designing your home, you can have a major influence on how your home sounds, with the right choices off-course.
When you use sufficiently soft materials, shrill sounds and reverberation can be prevented. For example, upholstered furniture is very capable to absorb. Placing curtains and carpets also helps to reduce poor acoustics.
You complete it by adding accessories. Place products such as plants, pillows and throws. This way you ensure that it sounds good at home.
Would you like to discover the best way to improve the acoustics in your home with the right adjustments? Browse this blog post.
Acoustic foam panels are usually made of polyurethane (PU) foam. In some cases they are finished with a specific top coat. The foam has sound-absorbing properties. This results in less reflection.
You don't have to be handy to apply foam panels. They are often made with a self-adhesive backing, which ensures that installation is easy. In addition, they are easy to customise.
Foam panels do usually have an industrial look and feel, and (despite the good effect) add little to your interior. Therefore, foam panels are often used in working environments such as office spaces and production environments, to minimise noise pollution.
Below you will find a clear summary of comparison between the different products to improve the acoustics.
Product
Prerequisites
Cost / m2
Acoustical performance
Acoustic panels Plastered wall € 90 - 130 Medium (Sound Class D)Acoustic panels + rockwool
None
€ 120 - 160
High (Sound Class A)
Acoustic wallpaper
None
€ 40 - 60
Medium (Sound Class D)(NRC=0.2)
Acoustic painting
Plastered wall
€ 200 - 400
Low
Acoustic foam panels
None€ 30 -70
Medium (Sound Class D
We hope you have been able to gain a valuable overview of the available acoustic products, so that you can make the right choice for your pleasant home.
When it comes to acoustic wall panels, people always ask what the best fabrics to use are? In , Choosing the right fabric to use for your application is crucial to ensure the effectiveness of acoustic panels.
Some fabrics will perform better acoustically than others for several reasons, but to be honest, the fabric alone will not have a significant effect on sound absorption.
You need to select a suitable type of fabric and make sure it will work correctly with the other parts that make up the acoustic panels, such as the absorbing core. The most sound-absorbing part of any acoustic panel is the absorption core that the fabric covers or stretches over, is generally made of a semi-rigid type of acoustic foam or fiberglass.
The stretch fabric acoustical panels are an attractive face covering thallowslow the sound to travel through to the core material.
Here are some key points to remember when selecting the right type of fabric for sound-absorbing acoustic paneling.
First, there are many textiles available on the market, the majority of which could be used as the front-facing covering of just about any acoustic panel.
Some of these have been tested in a controlled environment and have data that shows how they perform as an ‘acoustic fabric.’ It would be impossible to test every type of fabric known to man, so we will take a look at some major key factors used in determining a good acoustic panel fabric.
1. Transparency / Breath-ability
This is most likely the most crucial factor. If you get this one wrong, then the absorption performance of your panels can be dramatically reduced.
Many fabrics available are either ‘backed ‘or ‘unbacked. ‘ They are lined with backed fabrics on one side with either acrylic or paper, normally to help with a wall application, much like applying wall coverings which are generally fabric or paper. Any fabric you decide to use with an acoustic paneling system should be ‘un-backed’ for two quite obvious reasons.
Backed fabric helps prevent the majority of sound from transferring through them, and
Backed fabrics do not stretch very well.
The fabric you select should have an open weave and is breathable; you can blow air through a sample of the fabric to see if it is breathable or not. Just make sure you don’t select one that has too much of an open weave; remember, you don’t want to see through the fabric to the core material. It is possible to purchase an acoustically transparent fabric and visibly evident, not what you want.
2. Functionality
Your fabric may be able to tick the boxes acoustically but will not have all of the properties that are conducive for an acoustic panel.
Below we will look at some of the different fabric types and reasons why you should avoid them.
In the case of stretched fabric panels, you don’t want any ripping or sagging to occur. This often happens in natural fiber materials such as cotton, wool, and linen, which can elongate in high humidity.
Material such as viscose and spun nylon will provide little stretch memory and might not return to its original tensity when exposed to humidity changes.
Fabrics such as acrylic and polyester are very stable and remain tight after stretching with no sagging risk. Synthetic materials are often seen as the most suitable for a stretched fabric system. But, as brilliant as the modern polyester fabrics are, many people love natural fibers, and therefore something like a blended fabric with over 50% polyester could be the best option.
3. Aesthetics
These days, acoustic paneling has become more balanced between ‘aesthetics’ and ‘function.’ Designers and engineers are learning that solving many acoustic problems can be achieved in an aesthetically pleasing way. Now acoustic treatments are becoming the design focus of room interiors.
We strongly believe using fabrics on ceilings and walls is an architectural design feature that will continue to evolve each year with the ever-growing focus on the benefits of good acoustics, more so in the IT-driven workplace.
A good indication of what fabrics work well acoustically is by looking at which ones are used by the manufacturers. Many acoustic manufacturers have a range of preferred fabrics that have been tested with their own systems.
In the UK, acoustic wall panel manufacturers tend to produce more pre-fabricated, affordable, wrapped panels. These open-weave fabrics, commonly used as upholstery for office seating and screens, are at the lower price end of the market.
European acoustic manufacturers typically use more expensive, higher-quality fabrics.
In the US, Whisper Walls has been the world’s most innovative provider of acoustic wall panels for interior noise control For over 30 years. From the beginning, we’ve been focused on providing products that blend a subtle fabric finish, acoustical performance, and long-lasting value. This unique objective inspired the development of specialized stretching system track components and installation tools that are now industry standards.
Acoustic wall panel systems are site-installed; they are highly customizable acoustic wall panels and ceiling systems that seamlessly integrate with any architectural design you may have. The system utilizes a proprietary designed custom track system that is stapled to the existing substrate. An absorbent or trackable core such as fiberglass is cut and stapled inside the track to hold it in place.
An acoustically transparent fabric is then cut and tightly tucked into all of the tracks surrounding the perimeter, providing you a perfect fit every time with no gaps or sagging. Acoustic wall panels offer architects complete design flexibility without sacrificing the quality of sound control.
How long do acoustic wall panels last?
Contact us to discuss your requirements of Acoustic Panel Effect Wallpaper. Our experienced sales team can help you identify the options that best suit your needs.
The foam used in our acoustic wall panels is a chemically based product. So no matter the panel’s class A, the foam has an average shelf life of about seven years from the time the panels are produced. At that time, the foam most likely will start to flake off and sprinkle dust particles into the air.
What type of fabric is suitable for sound absorption?
Using a non-porous leather, vinyl, or acrylic-faced fabric will reflect much of the energy produced by the sound, reducing the effectiveness of your drapery.
You should select a fabric that could absorb water or has a plush, velour surface. If the price is a concern, then you might want to choose a less expensive fabric.
What type of foam is acoustic foam?
Acoustic foam is a lightweight polyurethane foam made from either polyether or polyester and also melamine foam.
What fabric is best for acoustic wall panels?
If the panels reflect any of the room’s sounds, then your panel is not performing the way it was designed.
For example, polyester and polypropylene work well on any vertical surface type, but a fabric made from nylon would not be right because it absorbs too much moisture.
Is canvas suitable for acoustic wall panels?
A canvas is a great way to add images to your walls, but, unfortunately, having a canvas on its own will not do much to block sound. If you’re looking for a soundproofing option with more of a personalized touch, then you will want to send your images to whisper walls and have them print them on the panel fabric so you can use it.
What material absorbs sound the best?
Normally a soft, pliable, or porous material will serve as a good acoustic insulator to absorb the most sound. Materials that are dense, hard, and impenetrable (such as any metals) will reflect the most sound.
How well a room absorbs sound is quantified by the walls’ effective absorption area, also called the total absorption area.
How can you tell if a fabric is acoustically transparent?
The most common way to test can be done by attempting to blow through the fabric. If air quickly passes through the material, it will also allow sound to pass through it, making that fabric acceptable for use as an acoustic fabric.
Do acoustic wall panels reduce noise?
Acoustic wall panels are composed of mineral wool or foam that has been compressed; sound-absorbing acoustic wall panels absorb the sound waves directed towards them to reduce noise, clarify speech, and reduce reverberation on the walls within an enclosed room.
A soundproofing panel is designed to block noise from entering or exiting a room.
What fabric is acoustically transparent?
An acoustically transparent fabric will allow sound to pass through it with a little barrier. This is an essential factor because you want the sound to pass through the fabric and be absorbed by the acoustic panels; for this, you will want to use an acoustic foam or fiberglass wool.
What are acoustic panels used for?
Acoustic panels are sound-absorbing panels designed to mitigate noise and reduce reverberation and any echo in the enclosed room. For both types, we look at the different principles of good acoustics: diffusion, absorption, and attenuation. These are all tied directly to the performance of the acoustic wall panels.
What type of insulation is used for acoustic wall panels?
There are two types of insulation commonly used for acoustic wall panels: fiberglass and mineral wool. Fiberglass insulation panels are made out of tiny inorganic glass fibers held together by a thermosetting resin binder and preformed into a rigid board with 2ft x 4ft rectangles.
Where do you put acoustic wall panels?
Most people will mount their acoustic wall panels flat on the walls throughout the entire room. To get the maximum effectiveness from a limited number of panels, try to avoid placing the panels on BOTH points of opposing walls; instead, stagger their positions.
Are acoustic panels necessary?
A home theater without any acoustic wall panels, you will experience sound waves reflecting from all surfaces of the room. Typically, you will want to hear only the sound coming directly from your speakers and not the sound reflected from walls, ceilings, and floors.
How thick should my acoustic wall panels be?
Acoustic wall panels will come in thicknesses of either 2″ or 4″. While traditional wisdom states that thicker is better, 2″ panels are considered the industry standard by many. They will not be able to absorb frequencies as low as 4″ panels, but that’s OK.
So as you can see, there is a huge difference between normal glue or staple-down fabric and acoustic wall panels, yes, there is a cost difference but there is also a quality difference.
Acoustic panels are an essential part of any space where sound quality matters. They help to reduce echo and improve the overall sound quality in a room. Here are the top 9 tips for choosing acoustic panels for your space.
Tip Description Symmetry Place the panels symmetrically, using the wall length and any sub-patterns (lights, grids, doors) to dictate the best spacing. Spacing Spread the acoustic panels out to improve the efficiency of the acoustic treatment. Height Don't place panels too high – keep acoustical panels within 12-14′ AFF (above finished floor). Reflection points Place acoustic panels at the first place on the wall where sound waves tend to hit before reaching the listener's ears. Corners Don't forget the corners. Corners are a common place for sound to reflect, so placing acoustic panels in the corners can help to reduce echo. Experimentation Keep in mind that acoustically treating a room tends to be a fluid process. Experiment with what sounds best in your space. Consider the features of your space Every space is different, and the right answer can vary a lot. Determine the location of the acoustic panels Finding the ideal positioning depends on several factors, including the type of panel and the acoustic problem you're trying to solve. Choose the right type of acoustic panel Consider factors such as the size of the room, the type of noise you want to block, and your budget when selecting acoustic panels.
Symmetry is key when placing acoustic panels. The panels should be arranged symmetrically, using the wall length and any sub-patterns (lights, grids, doors) to dictate the best spacing. This will ensure that the sound is evenly distributed across the room, providing the best sound quality possible.
If you're interested in investing in the most common acoustic treatments, check out Sonio's Acoustic Wall Panels collection.
Spacing is another important factor to consider. The acoustic panels should be spread out to improve the efficiency of the acoustic treatment. Don't hang all acoustical panels in a single area, or on a single wall. Instead, put them in equal numbers across the entire space.
If you're interested in purchasing Acoustic Ceiling Panels, check out Sonio's Acoustic Ceiling Panels collection.
The height at which the panels are placed is also crucial. Don't place panels too high – keep acoustical panels within 12-14′ AFF (above finished floor). This will ensure that the sound is absorbed at the level where it is most likely to be heard.
If you're interested in purchasing Acoustic Ceiling Baffles, check out Sonio's Acoustic Ceiling Baffles collection.
Place acoustic panels at the first place on the wall where sound waves tend to hit before reaching the listener's ears. This is known as the reflection point. For managing surround systems, acoustic panels should be placed centered at speaker reflection points.
If you're interested in purchasing Acoustic Screens, check out Sonio's Acoustic Screens collection.
Don't forget the corners. Corners are a common place for sound to reflect, so placing acoustic panels in the corners can help to reduce echo. This will improve the overall sound quality in the room. Products such as Autex Symphony can be a nice cheap solution for minor acoustic issues, but if you have a lot of echo or reverb in your space more treatment will be necessary.
If you're interested in purchasing Acoustic Fabric, check out Sonio's Acoustic Fabric collection.
Keep in mind that acoustically treating a room tends to be a fluid process. Experiment with what sounds best in your space and always remember to stay positive. It may take some time and adjustments to find the perfect setup for your room.
Every space is different, and the right answer can vary a lot. It's important to consider the features of your space before locking in an acoustic panel number. For example, a room with a lot of hard surfaces may require more panels than a room with a lot of soft furnishings.
Finding the ideal positioning depends on several factors, including the type of panel and the acoustic problem you're trying to solve. For example, if you're trying to reduce echo, you may want to place the panels at the reflection points in the room.
There are several types of acoustic panels available, each with its own unique features and benefits. Here are some of the most common types of acoustic panels:
Fiberglass panels
Fabric-wrapped panels
Perforated wood panels
Foam panels
PET/felt panels
Cementitious panels
Consider factors such as the size of the room, the type of noise you want to block, and your budget when selecting acoustic panels. For example, fiberglass panels are excellent at absorbing sound and are a popular choice for reducing echoes in a room.
In conclusion, choosing the right acoustic panels for your space can greatly improve the sound quality and reduce echo. By considering factors such as symmetry, spacing, height, reflection points, corners, and the features of your space, you can create an acoustically pleasing environment. Remember to experiment with different setups and choose the right type of acoustic panel for your needs. Our products are designed to provide exceptional sound absorption while also enhancing the aesthetics of any space. Contact us today to learn more about how our acoustic solutions can benefit your business or project.
There are many factors to consider when it comes to acoustics in a home studio, such as the amount of space you have and how much soundproofing material you want to use. But what about the cost? Check out this blog article to learn how custom acoustic panels can save you money on the purchase and installation!
Types of acoustic panels
There are many different types of acoustic panels on the market today. Although they all serve the same purpose – to improve the acoustics of your home studio – they each have their own unique features and benefits. Here is a brief overview of some of the most popular types of acoustic panels:
Wooden acoustic panels
Wooden sound-absorbing panels are exquisitely processed according to acoustical principles and consist of finishes, core materials and sound-absorbing thin felts.
Mineral wool acoustic panels
Mineral wool sound-absorbing panels are rich in surface treatment forms, and the panels have a strong decorative effect.
Fabric acoustic panels
Cloth acoustic panels – the core material is centrifugal glass wool, centrifugal glass wool as a long-standing and widely used acoustic material around the world has proved to have excellent sound absorption properties.
Polyester fiber acoustic panels
Polyester fiber acoustic panels have the advantages of open and closed acoustic panels: they absorb a lot of sound and reduce the transmission of sound in the room, thereby reducing noise. In addition, polyester sound-absorbing panels are very environmentally friendly and harmless to humans and the environment.
Factors to consider when choosing a custom acoustic panel
There are many factors to consider when choosing a custom acoustic panel for your home studio. Here are a few of the most important factors to keep in mind:
The size of your room: The size of your room will determine how many panels you need and what size panels will work best.
The shape of your room: The shape of your room can affect the sound in different ways. If you have a rectangular room, for example, you may want to use corner bass traps to help control the low end.
Sound reduction rating: The higher the SR number, the better the sound suppression.
Your budget: Obviously, your budget is a major factor in choosing any type of equipment for your studio. Custom acoustic panels can be quite expensive, so be sure to shop around and get the best deal you can find.
When choosing custom acoustic panels for your home studio, keep these four factors in mind to get the best results for your specific space.
Conclusion
Custom acoustic panels are a great way to improve the sound quality of your home studio. By choosing the right material and design, you can create a space that sounds great and looks good too. With so many options available, it’s important to do your research and work with a reputable company to get the best results like LEEDINGS.
If you want to learn more, please visit our website Acoustic Panel Design Ideas.