All of the acoustic panel products in this guide should be used for controlling high room reverberation time (echo). These products should not be used for reducing the transfer of sound escaping a room or combating ‘noisy neighbours’. An approximate cost to properly soundproof an average sized room in an the average home ranges from £2,000 to £3,000. Be careful not to waste your money on the wrong solution!. For more information on domestic soundproofing visit here.

As with any interior finishing material, acoustic panelling systems vary in cost considerably. What is interesting is that the higher performing (Class A absorption) products can be the most cost effective. The more design led architectural finishes tend to have a reduced acoustic performance. The total cost of an acoustic wall panel installation will also vary, depending on complexity of installation, quantity and waste. For the majority of the products on our website allow £50 per m2 to £250m2 (inclusive of materials and labour).

We strongly advise specialist installation of much of the systems in this guide. Our highly skilled fitters are experienced in the installation of every acoustic system we offer on this website. Our fitters have years’ of experience meaning we welcome even the most complex installations.

Some products are easy to install however and we will make this clear.

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.

The location of the panelling is very important. But this does not mean you necessarily need to relocate lighting and services. Clever positioning of panelling will mean we can avoid additional costs such as this.

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’.