3 Parts to an Acoustic Panel

An acoustic (or sound-absorbing) panel is one of the most common options forimproving sound quality in a room. They are used to mitigate noise by reducing thereverberation and echo within a space. It is important to note that an acoustic paneldoes not actually soundproof a room or block sound from entering a space. Let's take acloser look at the parts that make up these sound-absorbing panels and how theyfunction.

Core
Acoustic panels come in many different shapes and sizes, from the standard wall panel,to baffles, to clouds; however, no matter the shape, one thing they all have in commonis they all have a sound-absorbing core. The core of an acoustic panel is the mostimportant part. It's where the magic happens and where sound waves are dampenedand deadened to control reverberation. Existing sound is converted into heat,reducing the sound waves’ ability to reflect back. While there are many different typesof material that can be used as the core of an acoustic panel, some of the mostcommon types are acoustical foam, cotton, fiberglass, and recycled polyester.

When selecting an acoustic panel, select a core with the highest NRC (noise reductioncoefficient). An NRC of 0 means the material absorbs no sound, and a rating of 1means that the material absorbs almost all sound. A good rule of thumb is that a NRC of0.8 is good, and a rating of 0.9 or higher is very effective. Let's take a second to look ata few different sound panels with different core materials.

SONEX acoustic foam panels are made from Willtec acoustical foam and boast animpressive NRC of 0.92. They are also Class-1 fire-resistant, making them a greatoption for commercial buildings and businesses.
UltraQuiet Acoustic Panels have an NRC ranging from 0.85–1.15 and have anenvironmentally friendly cotton core. The edge contributes to sound absorption thus increasing NRC above 1.0. Surprisingly, they also have a high fire rating,making them a safe choice for businesses as well.
Whisperwave panels come in a wide variety of shapes, sizes, and NRC ratings. Theymostly have foam cores with a rating of 0.85 or higher. They are also fire-resistant andare designed to look great in large spaces such as offices and lobbies.

When picking a sound-absorbing panel, be sure to target the amount and frequency ofsound you want to reduce. Not all panels are built the same, and some might workbetter in certain environments. If you need help, feel free to give us a call or use thishandy Acoustic Panel Calculator to figure out exactly what you need.

Fabric
The fabric around an acoustic panel is primarily for aesthetic purposes. If you areplacing large panels on your walls or have baffles hanging from the ceiling, you’ll wantthem to look good and match your aesthetic. These fabrics are acoustically transparent,meaning they allow sound to pass through them and right to the core of the panel. Acoustically transparent fabrics for sound control come in a variety of different sizes andcolors. Guilford of Maine creates quality acoustical fabrics with a Class A fire rating,making them perfect for businesses and homes. Get a cost-effective solution to yoursound-quality problems with stylish, modern designs.

Mounting Options
The final piece of an acoustic panel is the mounting option, i.e., how the panel isdirectly mounted to the wall, ceiling, or suspended from the ceiling. One popularoption is a fabric wall track system. These tracks allow you to easily and affordablystretch fabrics across large quantities of acoustic panels, vastly changing the naturalacoustics in the room. They use large seamless swaths of fabric to provide excellentcoverage across large spaces, making them a great choice for gymnasiums, officerooms, and bars. Best of all, the setup is simple, so you can DIY your own acousticalsetup in your home office or workplace.

For hanging baffles, you might want to use corkscrew hangers to ensure a tight fit thatwon't come loose. One of the last things any business owner wants is for part of theirceiling to fall on someone's head, and thankfully these hangers are designed to preventexactly that. We also carry Z-clips, rotofast fasteners, and impaling clips to ensure yourpanels are affixed tightly to any surface and won’t come loose or fall off. Thesefasteners are easy to install and perfect for any task, from tiny do-it-yourself projects tomassive installations.

Now that you have a better understanding of what makes an acoustic panel and howthey function, the next step is figuring out exactly what your project needs. Spend sometime to figure out if you want to use wall panels, ceiling hanging baffles, other forms ofsound control, or a mix of these options. Don’t forget to use our Acoustic Panel Calculator, or give us a call at 866.768.6381. We're here to help find the sound solutionthat’s right for you!