Description

Acoustic panels strategically placed on ceilings and walls are crucial for controlling reverberation and flutter echo, common acoustic issues in enclosed spaces. Reverberation occurs when sound waves repeatedly bounce off hard surfaces like walls, floors, and ceilings. These reflections linger, creating a prolonged sound that can muddy speech intelligibility and music clarity. Flutter echo, a more specific type of reverberation, happens when sound waves rapidly bounce between two parallel surfaces, producing a distinct “zingy” or “metallic” sound. Both phenomena degrade the overall listening experience. 

Acoustic panels, typically made of sound-absorbing materials, combat these issues.

When sound waves encounter a panel, they are absorbed rather than reflected. This reduces the overall amount of reflected sound energy within the room, thus minimizing reverberation time. By strategically placing panels on walls and ceilings – the primary surfaces involved in sound reflection – you effectively break up the paths of sound waves, preventing them from repeatedly bouncing between parallel surfaces and eliminating flutter echo. The result is a cleaner, more balanced sound with improved clarity and intelligibility, making the space more suitable for communication, music listening, or any activity where sound quality is important.

Wallpaper Kenya has been helping to create the ideal sound environment in rooms of any purpose for over 10 years.

How acoustic panels work

How do sound-absorbing panels work?

The operating mechanism of acoustic panels is based on three key processes:

1. Conversion of sound energy into heat due to friction of air against the fibers of the material
2. Scattering of sound waves due to complex internal structure
3. Absorption of low-frequency vibrations through resonant systems

The effectiveness of acoustic panels hinges on three key processes that work in concert to manage sound within a space. Firstly, acoustic panels convert sound energy into heat through friction. These panels are often constructed from porous materials with intricate fiber networks. When sound waves encounter the panel, they force air particles to move within these fibers. This movement generates friction, and as the air particles rub against the fibers, a tiny amount of the sound energy is transformed into heat. This conversion, while small individually, becomes significant across the entire panel surface, effectively reducing the overall sound energy reflecting back into the room.

Secondly, acoustic panels scatter sound waves due to their complex internal structure. The irregular surfaces and varying densities within the panel cause sound waves to disperse in multiple directions. This scattering effect not only reduces the intensity of reflections but also helps to break up standing waves and flutter echo, further improving the acoustic environment. Instead of a concentrated reflection bouncing off a flat surface, the scattered sound is diffused, creating a more even distribution of sound energy within the space. This diffusion contributes to a more balanced and natural sound, enhancing clarity and reducing unwanted echoes.

Resonant panels

Finally, some acoustic panels are designed with resonant systems to specifically target and absorb low-frequency vibrations. Low frequencies, often characterized by booming or rumbling sounds, can be particularly challenging to control.

Resonant panels incorporate a flexible membrane or diaphragm that vibrates at specific low frequencies. When these low-frequency sound waves strike the panel, they cause the membrane to vibrate. This vibration absorbs the sound energy, effectively dampening the low-frequency noise. This mechanism is crucial for creating a balanced acoustic environment, as it addresses the often problematic buildup of bass frequencies that can muddy the overall sound. By combining these three processes – energy conversion through friction, sound wave scattering, and low-frequency absorption – acoustic panels provide a comprehensive solution for managing sound reflections and improving the acoustic quality of a space.  

Types of noise and methods of dealing with them

In modern spaces, we encounter four main types of noise:

Airborne noise (conversations, music, household appliances)

• Solution: multilayer sound-absorbing panels with different material densities
• Efficiency: noise reduction by 25-35 dB

Structural noise (vibrations from engineering systems)

• Solution: vibration isolation + special damping panels
• Efficiency: vibration reduction by 80-90%

Impact noise (footsteps, blows, falling objects)

• Solution: combined panels with an elastic layer
• Efficiency: impact noise reduction by 20-30 dB

Reverberation noise (echo, room boominess)

• Solution: acoustic panels with optimized placement
• Efficiency: Reduction of reverberation time to standard values

Over 15 years of work, EchoDesign specialists have implemented more than 5,000 projects for acoustic treatment of premises for various purposes. Our experience shows that correctly selected and installed acoustic panels can solve up to 95% of problems with unwanted noise.

Advantages of acoustic panels

Technical advantages

All our acoustic panels meet several significant technical characteristics:

High sound absorption coefficient

• NRC (Noise Reduction Coefficient) from 0.85 to 0.95
• Effective operation in the frequency range of 125-4000 Hz
• Confirmed by test reports in accredited laboratories

Acoustic panels’ sound absorption coefficients, usually between 0 and 1, quantify how much sound they absorb. A coefficient of 0 means no sound absorption (perfect reflection), while 1 indicates complete absorption.

These coefficients vary depending on the panel’s material, thickness, and sound frequency. Higher coefficients mean better absorption, reducing reverberation and echo.

Manufacturers provide these coefficients for different frequencies, giving a comprehensive picture of the panel’s performance.

This data helps choose the right panel for specific acoustic needs in a room.  

Fire safety

• Fire hazard class KM1
• Flammability group G1
• Certificates of conformity

Environmental safety

• Hypoallergenic materials
• No harmful emissions
• Possibility of application in children’s institutions

Durability

• Service life more than 15 years
• Maintains properties at humidity levels up to 90%
• UV resistance

Aesthetic benefits

Unlike standard soundproofing solutions, our acoustic panels become an interior decoration:

Variety of design solutions

• More than 50 standard colors and textures
• Possibility of creating an individual design
• Integration with any interior style

Modularity of design

• Creating unique geometric compositions
• Combination of different types of panels
• Easy replacement of individual elements

Premium finishing materials

• Natural fabrics and veneers
• Eco-friendly paints and impregnations
• Special wear-resistant coatings

Types of acoustic panels

By material of manufacture

Polyester fiber panels

• Sound absorption coefficient up to 0.95
• Environmental safety class
• Ideal for public spaces

Polyester fiber acoustic panels are a popular choice for sound absorption.

¹ Made from recycled plastic fibers, they offer good performance, are lightweight, and are relatively easy to install. ¹ They come in various colors and thicknesses, making them versatile for different applications. ² Polyester panels are also known for their eco-friendly nature and resistance to moisture and mold. ³  

Fabric acoustic panels

• Wide range of design solutions
• Easy to install and maintain
• Ideal for offices and residential premises

Fabric Panels Catalog

By design

Flat panels

• Thickness from 20 to 100 mm
• Uniform sound absorption
• A classic solution for most spaces

Embossed panels

• Additional sound dispersion
• Creation of acoustic diffusers
• Decorative effect

Modular systems

• Combination of different types of panels
• Creation of complex acoustic solutions
• Possibility of step-by-step installation