In the UK, construction and infrastructure projects are often located in or near densely populated urban areas, where their environmental impact can be significant.
Where To Install Acoustic Panels For Walls In Office Spaces For The Best Results
The average office is no stranger to excess noise. From internal noise, including keyboard tapping, phone calls, and meetings, to external noises, such as traffic, it can reduce productivity and result in low morale among employees.
Investing in acoustic panels is a great way to reduce excess noise and create a productive environment. While there are multiple types of soundproofing solutions available, acoustic wall panels combine affordability with functionality.
The biggest problem you’ll have? Choosing placements that offer the best possible results. That’s what this post is all about, so read on if you want to make acoustic panel installation a stress-free process.
First things first...What are acoustic wall panels?
Acoustic wall panels absorb sound and reduce noise in a room or building. They use materials such as wood, fabric, and foam to absorb and diffuse sound waves. You can strategically mount them on walls to reduce echoes, reflections, and reverberation.
While you can also use ceiling panels and acoustic screens, wall panels are easier to install and offer more effective soundproofing. One hospital-based study concluded that acoustic panels can reduce noise and create a more peaceful environment (BMJ).
Why is strategic acoustic panel placement vital?
Acoustic wall panels can make a huge difference to your office, but you’ll need to plan ahead. Strategically placing acoustic panels involves identifying where excess noise comes from and opting for a setup that reduces it.
Getting the placement right promotes comfort and reduces noise pollution, creating a better environment for employees. Spending money on acoustic panels but failing to place them correctly results in poor sound control and basically throwing money down the drain.
Now that you know more about acoustic wall panels, it’s time to reveal where—and how—to place them.
1: Pinpoint noise concerns
Before you start putting up panels, figuring out where the noise is coming from is key. You might find it’s from one source or multiple sources, including:
External: General street noise and construction sites can enter through windows and thin walls.
Internal: Bustling offices often deal with printers, air conditioning, meetings, phone calls, and machinery noise.
Once you know where the noise is coming from, you can decide where it’s most disruptive. Problem areas might include break rooms, meeting areas, and places that have a lot of foot traffic.
Investing in a professional noise survey can be beneficial if you’re unsure of where the building’s weak areas are. Professional acoustic engineers can assess sound quality and help you place acoustic panels in optimal locations.
2: Focus on main wall surfaces in open-plan settings
Open offices are great for inclusion and collaboration, but businesses often sacrifice productivity and focus. Sound bounces off hard surfaces and creates echoes, so it’s important to focus on your main walls when installing acoustic sound panels.
The best places to install them include:
Behind Desks: Installing panels on walls near or behind desks blocks out distractions such as general conversations or phone calls. Focus on areas that require focus for long periods of time and where people deal with regular phone calls.
Opposite Noise Sources: It’s also beneficial to place panels opposite photocopiers, printers, and other office equipment. They absorb sound before it travels across a room.
In The Middle: If you have a larger office with long walls, installing acoustic panels in the middle can prevent sound from travelling.
3: Soundproof conference and meeting rooms
These rooms are notorious for bad acoustics, as they’re full of glass, concrete and other hard surfaces. The echoes can slow down meetings and cause huge distractions, but acoustic treatment controls can create a productive space for collaboration.
Here are the best places to install acoustic panels:
Parallel Walls: Installing panels on both the front and back walls stops sound from bouncing back and forth like a ping pong ball. You’ll notice phone and video calls become much clearer.
Side walls: Remember the side walls. Adding panels here enhances speech clarity so everyone in the room can hear each other better.
Ceilings: Rooms with high ceilings will also benefit from mounted ceiling panels (also known as acoustic baffles). The wall panels prevent unwanted noise from travelling across the room, while baffles ensure it doesn’t bounce up and down.
4: Don't forget the hallways and reception areas
Hallways witness a lot of traffic, but people often forget about them. Just because nobody works in a hallway doesn’t mean it won’t cause distractions. From echoing footsteps to travelling conversations, you should measure how much sound comes from your hallways.
The reception area is a hub of activity and might spread sound throughout the office. Here’s the correct acoustic panel placement for hallways and reception areas:
-
Reception Desks: When you place acoustic panels behind a reception desk, it absorbs sound and creates a quieter space for customers. Panels can also showcase your company’s professionalism during phone calls, as prospective clients won’t hear any background noise.
-
Hallways: When installing acoustic panels along hallways, focus on areas near desks, meeting rooms or other important areas.
5: Maintain the ideal balance
Getting the perfect balance for superior office acoustics is no easy feat. You’ll need to target high-noise areas without going overboard on the panels. Spreading acoustic panels throughout your office still creates a productive workplace, but it won’t feel unnaturally quiet.
While acoustic panels are an excellent way to soundproof your office space, they tend to work best when combined with other sound-absorbing materials. Consider using acoustic ceiling panels and other solutions for superior sound absorption.
6: Think about your office's aesthetics
The best thing about acoustic wall panels is their versatility. You’ll find acoustic panels covered in different fabrics, with a variety of colour and pattern options. While decorative panels are more expensive, they also fit seamlessly into your office space.
Use patterns and colours to create a feature wall, or buy customised panels containing your company’s logo or tagline.
Get expert support when installing acoustic panels
When acoustic panels work correctly, they can provide perfect sound absorption and turn any office into a hub of productivity. If you’re ready to reduce noise levels and create a peaceful space for your employees, NOVA Acoustics can help.
Our noise consultants work with businesses across the UK, advising on the best acoustic panels and installing them. Please get in touch today.
Recent posts
Where To Install Acoustic Panels For Walls In Office Spaces
Offices should be a hub of productivity, where everyone collaborates to achieve immediate and long-term organisational goals.