Imagine the perfect sound propagation while watching your favourite concert in your home theater. Imagine that during a short conversation you don’t have to ask for the last sentence to be repeated several times. This is what acoustic panels will help you with. This tasteful addition will not only warm up the interior and give it a modern feel, but at the same time it will solve the need for soundproofing the walls and increase the acoustic comfort experience on a daily basis.
Do you want to find out why it is worth opting for acoustic panels? Read the following article, in which we will show you the benefits of this solution step by step.
Wall soundproofing – what is reverberation?
Is there unpleasant reverberation in your flat that makes it difficult to watch a TV series or have a daily conversation? Are you fed up with the excessive noise that arises during a child’s play or family gathering? This is a sign that your interior needs acoustics improvement.
Let’s start from the beginning. What makes being in an inadequately acoustically adapted room so unpleasant? The reason is too much reverberation. It is created when sound waves propagate through the interior and reflect off flat surfaces. They are delayed in reaching our ears and they overlap. When the reverberation time exceeds 100 ms, we begin to hear the echo.
Why is it so important? Sounds from the room we are in are usually not the only thing we hear. In addition, there are noises from other rooms and external noises coming from neighbouring flats or from outside the window. The right acoustics can enhance your comfort when relaxing at your own flat.
Which rooms does the reverberation occur in?
It most often affects high and large rooms and can appear in flats. In addition, it is favoured by:
- the contemporary trend of designing open spaces, such as combining a kitchen, dining room and living room,
- minimalist interior design (lack of, or limited carpets, curtains, cushions).
Acoustic panels and wall soundproofing
Are there sounds coming into your flat from behind the walls or the window, additionally there is reverberation in it, which amplifies the impression of noise? Acoustic panels could be the solution to your problem. It is the acoustic properties of certain panel types that make them the choice of those who care about high acoustic comfort in their favourite space.
What is the secret? The panels have a spatial structure that minimises sound propagation. But that’s not all. If you are looking for enhanced acoustic properties, pick 8 mm thick felt-mounted acoustic panels (also available as 3D felt-mounted acoustic panels). The effect will still be delightful and the silencing the flat even more effective.
What are the acoustic panels?
MDF acoustic panels slats are made of high-quality board covered with water-resistant veneer. Their wood-like 3D structure will make them look great on your wall for a long time.
In addition to being a tasteful addition to interiors and often chosen as an elegant, character-enhancing accessory , it is also a very practical solution. They can, for example, effectively demarcate zones in a room and additionally make the space feel cosy.
The acoustic panels warm the interior perfectly, making it comfortable and relaxing to be in. For this reason, it is a frequent choice for flats, homes and offices, but also public spaces such as restaurants and hotels.
For some, aesthetic issues will be the most important, for others it will be the details of the technical specifications. The acoustic panels have thermal insulation properties and, depending on the material used, can improve acoustic adaptation in the room.
How to soundproof walls using felt?
Felt is a textile material that is created in the process of combining fabrics (often wool and viscose). “Air traps” are formed between its fibres – if sound encounters them, it does not reflect as from flat surfaces, but is damped. A similar process takes place in interiors with soft accessories (carpets, curtains, pillows).
For this reason, felt is often used to improve the room acoustics, also on its own in the form of wall decoration. Importantly, the material is antistatic, non-flammable and can be waterproof.
Do you know why…?
Felt-mounted acoustic panels are a good way to soundproof a wall – they combine both the spatial structure of the panels themselves and the felt’s acoustic properties.
Which room should I place the acoustic panels in?
As a decorative element, the acoustic panels will look well in any room – from the entrance hall to the living room, bedroom and bathroom. However, if you are asking yourself what to soundproof your walls with, start with the room that has the most reverberation or where you need silence the most.
So where will the acoustic panels work? Below we describe the main spaces that are worth adapting acoustically.
Living Room
You already know that an open space can amplify reverberation and the creation of excessive noise. At the same time, the living room is the place where we spend most of our time together for conversations, meals, relaxation and family gatherings. Among other things, the daily comfort of your household members and the well-being of your guests depends on whether the room has the right reverberation.
Home theater
Do you like to relax with a good film? Ever find yourself having to turn up the volume during character dialogue and then suddenly turn it down because the car chase scene is too loud? It is also a matter of acoustics. A proven and effective solution in this case is to install acoustic panels on the wall behind the TV.
Home office
Do you work remotely and stay in one room most of the day? Do the noise coming from outside and the reverberation inside distract you too much? Concentration is key. Installing the felt-mounted acoustic panels will not only increase the acoustic comfort in this room, but will also warm up the interior and give it a modern feel.
Music corner
A dream for anyone who relaxes while listening to their favourite bands or makes music themselves. Adequate sound attenuation in such a space is a prerequisite for a positive musical experience. Opt for acoustic panels and enjoy clear sound to the very last second of every song.
Acoustic panel wall
Want to soundproof a wall and reduce reverberation in your living room? Or are you keen to introduce comfort zones? In this case, openwork MDF panels will be great for creating practical and impressive walls.
What do you gain from this solution? More comfort and privacy, while keeping the space open and allowing light penetration. The walls will work well in the bedroom or living room as a separation of the kitchen from the dining room and living room.
Not only for wood-lovers
Wood is a timeless material that warms up any interior. The reference to nature introduces harmony and makes staying in such a room feel good and really relax.
If you like this kind of accessory, you know that the acoustic panels will suit most homes no matter what style they have been decorated in. Examples? With their natural look and material, they will fit right in with a cosy rustic-style flat. They will also successfully fit into more modern interiors where minimalist accessories reign supreme.
Harness the power of colour
Do you like wooden decoration, but at the same time want to inject more energy into your interior or add a strong statement? Opt for colour. The acoustic panels are not only natural oak in various shades and safe white, but also coral, bottle green or golden gloss.
The muted colours will match the other accessories in the room without overwhelming it. However, if you want a strong accent or to use a clear contrast, a more intense colour will work. Some opt for bold combinations of not only different structures and forms (e.g. panel width), but also apt colour combinations.
Please, remember!
White and bright colours reflect light. If you want to optically enlarge a room, select light-coloured acoustic panels.
How to select acoustic panels for the interior?
Are you wondering how to mute the walls and at the same time keep the proportions of your interior? When realising the acoustic panel potential, remember the most important arrangement rules. Lines (in this case delineated by the panels) are a proven tool for creating optical illusions.
If you have a narrow room, you can optically enlarge it by laying the panels horizontally – the room will appear wider. The same principle applies to a small room: panels placed vertically will add height and space to it. The structure of the acoustic panels themselves is also an advantage, as the openwork elements give weightlessness.
Walls are not the only place you can soundproof using the acoustic panels. In a large, airy room, such as a living room combined with a dining room and kitchen, you can install the panels in a strip passing from the wall to the ceiling. This solution will suit modern interiors and minimalistically selected accessories.
Practical tip
Avoid combining too many textures and patterns in a smaller room. Such arrangement chaos can further reduce the space.
What are the other acoustic panels’ advantages?
The acoustic panels are not only a great decorative addition and better acoustics as a result of soundproofing the walls. What other features make them the right solution for your flat? The acoustic panels are:
- lightweight (they do not weigh the walls down),
- forgiving when it comes to the unevenness of the walls (you can use them to compensate for imperfections that catch the eye),
- will allow you to make a quick and pleasant change in the room’s furnishing (something new, but without the need for a major refurbishment),
- waterproof, which guarantees long use and the same great look (panels for saunas and bathrooms are also available),
- easy to install,
- easy to keep clean (simply vacuum them occasionally or wipe them gently with a slightly damp cloth).
How to mount the acoustic panels?
You can install this functional interior element yourself without using a drill. Before you start work, prepare the necessary tools: spirit level, glue or tape, optionally a sharp knife and a tool for cutting the panels (e.g. a hand saw).
The installation of the acoustic panels takes place in a few simple steps:
- Start by selecting and preparing the wall on which you intend to mount the panels (make sure there is no damage or moisture on the wall).
- Use a spirit level to determine the plumb line. The way you lay the first slat panel determines the entire composition.
- Apply glue or tape to the felt, then fix to the wall and press down.
- Continue laying the panels until the planned effect is achieved.
Note!
The standard height of our MDF felt-mounted acoustic panels is 275 cm, so you can easily fit them to the size of your home’s walls.
Practical and beautiful
Acoustic panels are one of those interior solutions that, thanks to their versatility, will work well in many homes, regardless of size and style. Not only will it allow you to tastefully arrange a modern interior and introduce useful utility areas, but it will also soundproof the walls and increase the acoustic comfort in the flat.
The variety of colours, sizes and forms will ensure that there is something for everyone. A well-decorated interior will do what it does best – provide space for blissful relaxation after a hard day and pleasant moments with loved ones.
