The safest way to ensure that you have the correct amount of absorption in a space is to carry out a room acoustic assessment. We offer this service completely free of charge – either remotely, or by visiting site.

When considering where to position panels try to treat more than one surface. They perform much better when they are spread out on multiple elevations of a room.

Panels should be installed on opposing walls to reduce slap back echo.

We should try and install wall panelling at the same level as the source of the sound. Head height when sitting down / standing up for example.

The corners of room are lively areas for sound reflection; distributing sound waves in many directions. Try and install panelling into the corners of rooms.

There are many more materials being used to create acoustic products that there has ever been.

Traditional acoustic panels tend to made using a glass fibre or mineral fibre core which is then wrapped or faced with a breathable surface, such as fabric. Remember it is always that core of the product that is doing the work!. In the case of fabric wrapped or stretched panels – the fabric is only really there as the decorative surface – fabrics should be chosen that can allow the sound waves through them, to be absorbed by the ‘core’.

More recently we have seen an influx of ‘PET’ which is essentially polyester fibre created from plastic. The good PET product manufacturers use a high content of recycled plastic (normally from post-consumer plastic bottles).

Other materials include ‘woodwool’ which is a mix of cement and recycled wood chip. There are also felt, cork, paper, wool, PVC and rockwool based products on the market.

If the acoustic quality of an environment is poor, making it stressful and uncomfortable to use then it cannot be called a ‘sustainable space’. Well designed and implemented acoustics positively benefits the health and well-being of every individual. All worthwhile acoustic materials should have a high recyclable content and be 100% recyclable. Always ask the questions, and review the product data sheets to be sure of product environmental credentials. There should never need to be an environmental compromise when selecting acoustic solutions. In contrast, acoustics can form an important part of attaining the very highest interior sustainability criteria – such as BREEAM ‘Excellent’ or ‘Outstanding’.