There are a few different acoustic solutions when it comes to soundproofing, and acoustic panels are just one of many. If you have stumbled across this term in your searches, you might be left wondering what it actually means.
If you are looking for a solution to your acoustic problem, whether that be in your office space, meeting room, or even studio, then acoustic panels could be the solution that you have been searching for.
In this article, we are going to tell you everything you need to know about acoustic panels, what they are, and what they are used for. Ultimately, we are going to tell you just how acoustic panels can benefit you.
What is An Acoustic Panel?
An acoustic panel is a type of sound-absorbing panel that can be used to mitigate noise and reduce the reverberation and echo within a certain space.
They are large, soft furnished panels that can be placed strategically within any room to improve the overall sound quality.
They are commonly made from a combination of foam and fabric, and these panels can be cut into a range of shapes and sizes and customized to complement the design of your room.
What Do Acoustic Panels Do?
The main purpose of acoustic panels is to remove any residual sound in any space, and when they are installed correctly in a room, they can absorb or diffuse sound from the first point of reflection.
They are an effective acoustic solution, which means that you don’t need to use a lot of them, putting you at a lower risk of over-cluttering an area.
Types of Acoustic Panels
The acoustic panels that you get can be designed to be either absorbers or diffusers, depending on the intended purpose and outcome that you are trying to achieve through their use.
These are the two main design tools that are used for altering the acoustic conditions of rooms, semi-enclosed spaces, and outdoor environments.
The correct use of the panels is important for being able to deliver high-quality acoustics. You don’t have to make all of these decisions yourself, either, as there are many experts that can help you to create the best solution for your space.
Where Should I Place My Acoustic Panels?
It doesn’t matter if you want to limit sound transfers or reduce background noise and reverb time, the placement of your acoustic panels is essential if you are looking for the best possible performance.
Being able to find the ideal positioning will depend on the room type, the activity of the space, furniture in the room, and materials in the space.
They are a particularly useful solution if you are stuck for wall space, as they do not take up as much room as other sound solutions. They also look the part, as you don’t have to cover up an entire wall to achieve the results that you are looking for.
Instead, experts will identify the first point of reflection, which will tell them more about the best location to place the panels.
These panels are focused on design as well as quality, and you won’t be disappointed with how they look.
They are able to deliver a strong visual impact, all while incorporating your original themes and designs of the room, so they won’t stand out or look unappealing. So, there is no need to compromise on your image in order to solve any sound issues.
In Smaller Rooms
In smaller rooms like meeting rooms, designated focus areas, and private offices, sound waves are likely to bounce against the walls. This is usually because they are the hardest surfaces that are closest to the source of the sound.
This means that you will need to be looking for wall-mounted acoustic panels, which will help to absorb the sound, and reduce the number of waves that are sent back into the room.
In Larger Rooms
In bigger rooms are larger spaces, the sound waves are going to behave differently.
Sound energy will propagate in any space, but in bigger spaces, less sound energy will be bouncing back into the room as the original sound will often drop dead before it reaches a hard element.
Suspended Ceiling Panels
As you now know, bad acoustics are often the result of a large and hard surface area. More often than not, the largest and hardest surface is the ceiling.
Things like air ducts are wiring tracks can also prevent us from directly treating the surface of the ceiling, and suspended acoustic panels are a great solution to this.
Horizontal Vs Vertical Acoustic Panels
Vertical panels will help to mitigate sound transfers in a space and aid in lowering background noise to an acceptable level.
Horizontal panels are used primarily for sound absorption. To stop sound waves from spreading, absorptive panels have to be used to convert the sound energy into heat through friction.
