Acoustic Wall and Ceiling Panels

Summary

Acoustic wall and ceiling panels are porous or perforated units that absorb sound energy in a room, most often rigid fiberglass or mineral wool cores wrapped in fabric. Compare products by absorption rating at the stated mounting, since an NRC or SAA measured for one mount does not carry to another.

Cols

Image

NRC (noise reduction coefficient): average of absorption coefficients at 250, 500, 1000, and 2000 Hz, rounded to the nearest 0.05
SAA (sound absorption average): average of the coefficients at the one-third octave bands from 200 to 2500 Hz
Mounting type: the test arrangement behind the panel, such as direct on a surface (Type A) or with an air gap
Cloud and baffle: ceiling-hung panels, flat or vertical, that absorb on both faces
Acoustically transparent fabric: facing that passes sound to the core

Standards

Test standards

ASTM C423: sound absorption and absorption coefficients by the reverberation room method
ASTM E795: mounting of specimens for sound absorption tests
ASTM E84: surface burning characteristics of the panel and fabric

Ratings

Rigid fiberglass 1 in. thick: NRC about 0.80 to 0.85; 2 in. thick: about 1.05 to 1.15 (manufacturer data)
NRC can exceed 1.0 because it is a rounded average
Polyester 1 in. thick: about 0.75; felt panels: about 0.30 to 0.60
Mounting changes the rating; one manufacturer reports 0.90 for a ceiling mount and 0.75 for a wall mount of the same product
An air gap behind the panel improves low-frequency absorption

Materials

Rigid fiberglass core, 1 to 2 in. thick: the traditional fabric-wrapped panel
Mineral wool: good absorption, excellent fire resistance, heavier than fiberglass
Polyester and felt: thinner profiles with moderate absorption and more design options

Detailing

Specify the NRC or SAA with the mounting type and test report
Cover enough wall or ceiling area to meet the target reverberation time
Fix panels to solid backing and plan joint, corner, and edge details
Use impact-rated panels where walls take impact
Check that fabric, adhesive, and mounting are tested as installed

Uses

Specific uses

Classrooms, conference rooms, and open offices
Gyms, cafeterias, and assembly halls
Restaurants and music rooms
Recording and broadcast spaces
Wall and ceiling treatment in existing rooms

Pros and cons

Pros

Cuts reverberation and improves speech clarity
Many sizes, thicknesses, and fabrics
Retrofits onto existing walls and ceilings

Cons

Absorbs sound but does not block it between rooms
Fabric faces soil and snag
Ratings depend on the mount, so compare carefully

Manufacturing and cost

Construction

Cores are cut to size, edges are sealed or framed, and a stretched fabric or other facing is applied
Panels are glued, clipped, or hung from cables to walls and ceilings

Main manufacturers and suppliers

Trade association: Ceilings & Interior Systems Construction Association (CISCA).

Sources

Arktura: True NRC, truth in acoustics, https://arktura.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Arktura-Acoustics-True-NRC-Truth-in-Acoustics.pdf
Intertek: ASTM C423 sound absorption, https://www.intertek.com/building/standards/astm-c423
Wikipedia: noise reduction coefficient, https://www.wikipedia.org/wiki/Noise_Reduction_Coefficient
Armstrong: SoundSoak custom walls data sheet, https://www.armstrongceilings.com/content/dam/armstrongceilings/commercial/north-america/data-sheets/soundsoak-custom-walls-data-sheet.pdf
Acoustical Solutions: AlphaSorb fabric wrapped acoustic panels data sheet, https://acousticalsolutions.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/as-alphasorb-fabric-wrapped-high-impact-acoustic-panels-data-sheet.pdf
Buildipedia: 09 84 00 acoustic room components, https://buildipedia.com/knowledgebase/division-09-finishes/09-80-acoustic-treatment/09-84-00-acoustic-room-components