Acoustic panels help to improve the function and overall comfort of a space. They are effective in absorbing sound and creating a pleasing atmosphere. The use of acoustic panels is to reduce sound in a room and to filter out any external sounds around it. They are also able to get rid of any unwanted noise as well as any background sound inside that same room. Knowing the number of acoustic panels you need can help determine the quality of sound absorption within your space.
Shape and Size of Room
Larger rooms produce echoes and reverbs which are more noticeable. Since sound bounces off a surface, it produces reflections which can either bounce onto another surface or get absorbed. For larger rooms, sound takes a longer time to travel between each of these bounces. This in turn further delays the process of sound waves dissipating.
The other factor to consider is the shape of the room. High ceilings can help increase reverb time significantly. On the other hand, parallel surfaces such as hard flooring or drywalls can give the room considerable resonance. Acoustic panels can help address these effects effectively.
Surface Materials
Another important factor to consider is the type of material that is found inside the room. For carpets and hard floors, more sound will be reflected which will cause a huge impact on the reverb time. For soft and porous surfaces like drywall, more sound is absorbed which will result in a shorter reverberation time.
The items that are placed inside the room also play a part. A room full of furnishings absorb sound better which in turn reduces echoes. This will help reduce the number of acoustic panels that you require.
Purpose
Levels of reverberation that are acceptable for a room can be determined by the purpose of the room. There is no one-size-fits-all solution as you need to know exactly what activities will be carried out inside the room. If you only need to absorb mid to high frequencies, thinner acoustic panels are needed. For low or high frequency, thicker acoustic panels will be more efficient.
Putting together too many acoustic panels will absorb too much echoes and reverberation which may muffle out the sound. This is not ideal for spaces like home offices or home theaters as the atmosphere may feel deafening for some. A space that is suitable for such levels of absorption is a recording studio where silence is appreciated.
Type of Acoustic Panels
Different acoustic panels affect the sound quality of a room. You need to consider the different shape, size, and material so as not to absorb too much sound that may not be necessary. Depending on the purpose you need to serve, finding the perfect design becomes critical to provide the right sound quality.
Positioning
Thinking about the placement of acoustic panels is also important. The position can actually make a huge difference on the quality of sound that can be created in a room. For spaces where listening is key, crystal clear sound becomes essential. This is when you need to properly position the acoustic panels either on walls or ceiling accordingly.