Sound Proofing: All You Need to Know About Acoustic Panels

Understanding room acoustics
Room acoustics are how sounds create noise in an enclosed space. Noise is caused by the reverberation of sound (sound waves bouncing from one surface to another), which can be manipulated through materials and design. In general, the more flat, continuous and unperforated surfaces in a space, the more sound will reverberate and create noise.

There are three key factors to reducing reverberation in a room:

1. Minimise opportunities for reverberation (such as lower ceilings and smaller rooms)
2. Introduce sound soakers (for example soft furnishings, carpet and acoustic panels)
3. Incorporate noise distractors, (like playing background music)

Here we’re going to focus on the second point and how to introduce sound soakers by way of acoustic panels.

What are acoustic panels?
An acoustic panel is a board composed of sound-absorbing materials. Thus, when sound passes through an acoustic board, the intensity of sound is decreased.

How do acoustic panels work?
Sound is a kind of energy produced when things vibrate. That energy travels outward from the sound source, making objects and air vibrate until what’s left of the energy enters our ears and registers as noise in our brains. To reduce that noise, the waves of energy need to be interrupted or stopped before they reach our ears.

Acoustic panels aim to absorb as much sound energy as possible. In general, soft, pliable or porous materials such as fabrics serve as good sound absorbers, whereas dense, hard, impenetrable materials, such as metals and concrete, reflect sound energy.

Bring a bit of hush to an open-plan space

What are some types of acoustic panels?
Acoustic panels can be made of different materials and take different forms, which means there are a variety of ways to reduce the noise in your home no matter your style or taste.

Soft panels
Soft panels, such as fabric-covered boards, reduce the amount of hard surfaces that reflect sound energy. In doing so, they also increase the amount of soft surfaces that can absorb sound energy.

Perforated panels
Look closely at the ceiling of this kitchen and you’ll see tiny perforations. Perforated panels have porous and irregular surfaces that essentially break up the energy of the sound waves, absorbing noise better than flat, continuous surfaces.

Some perforated panels also may have a softer insulating material behind them, such as scrim or gauze, a light cotton textile. This backing material captures even more sound energy to modulate the noise in a room.

Timber battens
Wood has a stronger sound absorbing capacity than most structural materials, due to its natural composition. Timber acoustic panelling will use holes or slots (see perforated panels) to increase the amount of sound absorption. Alternatively, timber battens – panels of linear slats – are a lightweight beam option that naturally absorb sound. A scrim backing can enhance that absorption even further.

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How are acoustic panels used?
On the walls
Perforated or textile-covered acoustic panels on walls will reduce the noise in a room. Perforated wall panels in conjunction with the timber ply ceiling absorb sound in this music studio.

On the ceiling
Timber battens or perforated panels can be used on the ceiling to improve acoustics in a room. This open kitchen, living and dining space has timber battens with acoustic scrim behind. The panels not only reduce the level of noise in the room, but add rhythm and another visual dimension to the space.

Down lights have been recessed into the battens, but pendant lights and strip lighting can also be incorporated.

Other uses for acoustic panels
Above, the vertical blue strip on the children’s wardrobe is an acoustic panel that doubles up as a pin board.