Guide to Sound Improvement with Acoustic Panels
In a world constantly filled with sound, it's crucial to create an environment that promotes tranquility and well-being. One of the most effective tools to achieve this is through the use of acoustic panels. In this post, we'll explore how acoustic panels can enhance the sound environment in your home and create the perfect atmosphere for relaxation, concentration, and overall wellness.
What are Acoustic Panels?
Acoustic panels are specially designed panels made of sound-absorbing materials such as felt, foam, or fabric, designed to reduce reverberation and minimize unwanted noise in a room. These panels work by absorbing sound waves that would normally be reflected by hard surfaces such as walls, ceilings, and floors, resulting in a more pleasant sound experience.
At Arturel, all our acoustic panels, for example, are made from recycled felt, with an A+ sound absorption coefficient (NRC) of 0.85, meaning they effectively absorb incoming sound and significantly improve the room's acoustics. There are many different ways to design acoustic panels, but we have chosen to keep the acoustic image design and let the content be the driving force.
How do Acoustic Panels Help?
Reverberation and room resonance are two important concepts in acoustics that play a crucial role in how sound is perceived in a room. Reverberation refers to the time it takes for sound to decay in a room after the original sound source has stopped. A room with a long reverberation time can feel distorted and disruptive, especially if the sound repeats itself or is amplified due to reflections from walls, ceilings, and floors.
Room resonance refers to the amount of sound reflected in a room, which can create a "ringing" or "hollow" sound experience. This can be problematic in rooms where clear communication is important, such as a home office or a studio.
There are many ways to improve acoustics, and acoustic panels work by absorbing sound waves, reducing reverberation, and minimizing room resonance. By strategically placing acoustic panels around the room, you can create a more pleasant sound experience by reducing reflections and amplifications while maintaining the room's aesthetics. This results in a room that not only feels calmer and more comfortable but also easier to concentrate and work in.
How Much do Acoustic Panels Help?
The effectiveness of acoustic panels can vary depending on several factors, including the size and shape of the room, the chosen acoustic panels, and their placement. However, acoustic panels have generally been shown to have a significantly positive effect on the acoustics of a room. They are typically ranked by NRC ranging from D-A+ with a coefficient between 0.15-0.85. The numbers here indicate how many sound waves in % an acoustic panel absorbs.
So, to caricature, if 100 sound waves are sent towards an acoustic panel with 0.85, only 15 of the sound waves will be sent back into the room. The reason why many would not prefer an NRC of 1 is that it would give a very quiet room, which would seem like having earplugs in your ears - especially if you plaster an entire room with NRC 1 acoustic panels. Therefore, most also prefer that the reverberation time is reduced, but not completely removed.
By reducing the reverberation time, which is the time it takes for sound to decay after the original sound source has stopped, acoustic panels help minimize distortion and create a more pleasant sound experience. This is especially important in rooms where clear communication is crucial, such as meeting rooms, classrooms, or home theaters.
Acoustic Solutions for Home and Office
When it comes to acoustic solutions for the home, it's important to choose panels that not only meet the acoustic needs but also complement the home's aesthetics and decor. Fortunately, there is a wide range of panels and designs to choose from, so you can find the perfect solution for your home.
At Arturel, we have found that our Wave Original fits perfectly in most rooms, while our somewhat larger Wave Long fits well in meeting rooms.
In the bathroom, many prefer our Wave Tile due to its compact size and wavy design, while others prefer our Arch series for the bedroom. Although these are our experiences, none of our acoustic works are specifically designed for a room, so there is ample opportunity to choose the designs you prefer the most.
