Posted by Saima Bilal
on June 23, 2023
Good acoustics can make or break the vibe of any space. It’s the difference between good and better, comfortable and indulgent. They influence the productivity and quality of time you can experience in that space whether it’s an office, a home theatre, a recording studio or even a restaurant.
If we put it into video terms, you can deal with bad video quality but if the audio is bad, the entire thing becomes unwatchable. We don’t realise how important sound is until we experience a subpar version of it. The same goes for your space, if given the opportunity to fine tune the acoustics, one should always grab onto it with both hands.
Enter Acoustic Panels.
While acoustic panels are a stylish design feature, they contribute heavily in sound absorption and noise control. In this guide, we will review how acoustic panels support better acoustic performance and why it’s becoming an increasingly popular choice amongst architects, interior designers and homeowners.
First, let's establish some basics of acoustic performance, before we dive into acoustic panels.
What Impacts Acoustics within a Space?
There are several factors which determine how sound travels, and behaves, in a room:
- Surface Materials:
Hard surfaces, including glass, concrete or tiles, will have a reflective quality contributing to echo and reverberation. Softer, ambient materials (carpeting and upholstered furniture) will help to absorb sound within a given space.
- Room Size and Shape:
Larger, open spaces which have higher ceilings will have more echo, whereas smaller enclosed spaces can be more sound locked.
- Sources of Noise:
Noise can either come from the outside (e.g., traffic) or from the inside (e.g., HVAC systems or electronics). Both of these contribute to the overall acoustics of a space.
In order to enhance acoustic performance, the objective is to control unwanted noise, minimise echo, and improve sound clarity. This is where acoustic panels are advantageous.
How Acoustic Panels Help with Performance
Acoustic panels are designed to not only look good but have functionality as well. They consist of a series of slats installed over an acoustic felt backing, which provides a good arrangement for sound absorption or sound diffusion.
- Sound Absorption
One of the most difficult challenges in all spaces is the issue of sound reflection. Acoustic panels can help with this by absorbing sound waves instead of reflecting them back into the room. Again, the felt backing behind the slats works very well, because it captures and dampens noise levels.
- Noise Reduction
Some spaces like cafes, coworking spaces or offices usually have a lot of things going on at any given point of time, this also means a lot of noise. To handle this better, acoustic panels absorb some unwanted sound waves coming their way to reduce the overall decibel levels in the space and make it feel a little more comfortable.
- Echo Control
Empty rooms with lots of hard surfaces are perfect for sound to bounce off on and create echo. This can usually feel a little disruptive when trying to concentrate or have a conversation. Acoustic panels disrupt these sound waves and prevent any extra bouncing around to make the room acoustically more pleasing.
- Balanced Acoustics
Instead of eliminating sound entirely, Acoustic panels allow for a mix of acoustics. They absorb excess sound but let just the right amount through, helping to create a pleasurable listening experience.
Best Application for Acoustic Panels
Acoustic panels can be installed in just about any space. Here are just a few of the best spaces to install them for enhanced acoustic performance:
- Office & Conference Rooms
Open plan offices often have too much echo which can be problematic for employees who need to focus on their work. Hence we need to do a little extra to make sure the space can sound better. Acoustic panels can absorb extra background noise, especially in places like meeting rooms, conference rooms etc to improve speech intelligibility. They also come in handy if you’d like to create soundproof rooms or cabins.
- Home Theaters / Entertainment Rooms
Good acoustics are key to an enjoyable viewing experience. Acoustic panels help prevent the sound from bouncing around in your space and stressing the audio of your room. In an acoustically treated room, you can experience any content the way it was originally intended to instead of wondering every 5 seconds what the character just said.
- Restaurants & Cafes
Have you ever gone to a restaurant where it was impossible to hear your dining partner? A space where everybody’s trying to have a conversation will definitely produce a lot of noise and acoustic panels can help keep this excess to a minimum.
- Recording Studios & Music Rooms
Musicians and recording engineers understand the significance of proper acoustics. Acoustic panels will help remedy some echoes and allow for clear sounding tones while recording.
- Residential Areas
Whether placed in bedrooms or living rooms, acoustic panels offer both aesthetic appeal and acoustic advantages. They mitigate sound, make any space cosy, and create a well-designed, homey feeling.
They’re not just meant for commercial spaces, but for your homes too.
Design & Aesthetic Value of Acoustic Panels
In addition to their acoustic qualities, acoustic panels can also visually enhance your space. They bring the best of both worlds, right to your walls. NEOWALL acoustic panels are available in a variety of colours that run from warm wood tones like light walnut and natural oak to sleeker tones like ash grey and light grey, adding more texture and power to your wall.
- Modern & Minimalist Aesthetic
Complement contemporary spaces searching for something clean and aesthetic.
- Natural Wood Finishes
Add warmth and character to residential or commercial interiors.
- Custom Layouts
Panels can be installed vertically, horizontally, or in customised ways to achieve different aesthetics.
The combination of functionality & aesthetics makes acoustic panels a great option for most spaces.
How to Dramatically Improve the Acoustic Performance of Acoustic Panels
If you want to get the best acoustic performance, consider these suggestions
- Strategic Placement
When placing acoustic panels, install them on walls that reflect the most sound. For instance, acoustic panels work best on the back wall of a conference room or behind a television in a home theater.
- Pair with Other Acoustic Solutions
If you really want to maximise the acoustic performance of your panels, pair them with other sound-control products, such as rugs, curtains, soft furniture, or ceiling baffles.
- Cover a Significant Surface Area
One panel alone won't make enough of an impact on sound absorption. Acoustic panels are most effective when a significant portion of the wall surface area is covered to control noise and improve acoustical performance.
- Use in High-Activity Areas
Consider where the worst sound problems are: busy corridors, open office space, or sound sources like TVs or speakers, and install acoustic panels where it makes sense.
Reasons for Choosing NEOWALL Acoustic Panels
Here is why NEOWALL is a step above -
- Exceptional Sound Absorption
Crafted with a high-quality acoustic felt, for the optimum level of sound dampening with Grade A certification from SGS.
- Durable and Stylish
Crafted with high-end materials that enhance the visual appeal and are built to last.
- Quick and Easy to Install
Lightweight panels, designed to be attached to various surfaces with no hassle.
- SGS Grade A Certified
NEOWALL’s acoustic panels have received Grade A certification from SGS, making them an ideal choice for a variety of settings. They’re quite proficient at absorbing sound and enhancing the acoustics of a room.
- Versatile Design Choices
Panels are available in a multitude of finishes that complement almost every interior style.
Acoustics usually come last whenever we start writing down a list of changes we want to bring about within a space. If you alot some time and budget for this addition, the returns you get will be massive, whether in a home, office or a commercial setting.
NEOWALL acoustic panels are a great way to control how a space sounds and thus making it more pleasant to live, work or dine in.
