Acoustic panels: what they are and how they work

Acoustic panels are wall or ceiling panels that absorb sound instead of reflecting it, typically made from a soft, porous core like felt or foam. They are used to dampen reverberation in spaces with many hard surfaces: a living room, an office, a practice room. Roughly three types exist, ranging from a neutral gray block to an acoustic artwork that truly enhances your wall.

If you search for "acoustic panels," you'll quickly encounter the same plates: rectangular, often gray or beige, intended to be as inconspicuous as possible. Acoustically, this works perfectly, but it's not the style everyone wants in their home. Below, we explain exactly what acoustic panels are, how they work, and what to look out for before ordering something.

What exactly are acoustic panels?

An acoustic panel is essentially a piece of porous material, often felt, melamine foam, or wood wool cement, that you attach to a wall or ceiling. The panel absorbs sound waves that hit it, instead of reflecting them back into the room as a bare wall or glass partition would. The more surface you cover, the more sound is absorbed.

There are roughly three categories: functional panels (gray or beige plates, purely acoustic, no aesthetic purpose), slat walls (wood with felt behind it, warmer in appearance but often without officially measured value), and acoustic artworks (an artwork where the material itself provides the damping, such as the artworks from Pieces of Art in recycled felt).

How do acoustic panels work?

Sound consists of vibrations in the air. If these vibrations hit a hard, smooth surface, they bounce back and reverberate, which you experience as reverberation. An acoustic panel interrupts this process: the fiber structure of the material converts the vibrations into a tiny bit of heat instead of sending them back. The thicker and more porous the material, the more sound is absorbed.

For our own artworks, this process has been measured in three levels: Essential (4.1 cm frame depth) absorbs approximately 60% of the sound, Extra (5.2 cm) about 80%, and Ultimate (7.2 cm) up to 100%. For comparison: a fully open window represents 100% sound transmission, so 0% damping. For slight reverberation in a cozy living room, Essential is often enough, while for a large, bare room with high ceilings, you'd choose Extra or Ultimate.

What should you look for when buying acoustic panels?

Material. Felt (preferably recycled felt), melamine foam, and wood wool are common cores. Felt is the most flexible in design and looks softer, foam is often cheaper but less durable, wood wool looks industrial and works well in larger spaces.

Fire safety. For offices, hospitality, healthcare, and schools, B1 certification (the European fire safety standard for materials in public spaces) is a requirement, not an extra. Always inquire about this before ordering, no matter how beautiful a panel may look.

Installation. Some panels require a complex hanging system with rails or gluing, while others simply hang from a steel wire on the back, just like a painting. The simpler the installation, the easier you can move the panel again if you move or change your interior.

Style. This is where most people get stuck: a purely functional panel does its acoustic job, but quickly looks like an office item. A slat wall is warmer but often lacks an officially measured value and cannot be moved. If you want the panel to truly contribute to the appearance of your space, then an acoustic artwork is the way to go.

Acoustic panels or an acoustic artwork?

Both dampen sound; the difference lies in what you end up with on your wall. A functional panel remains, no matter what you call it, a plate. An acoustic artwork is designed to be worth hanging even without the acoustic aspect. For example, customer Charlotte hung the artwork Nova in her group practice: "Very satisfied with the result. It looks great on the wall in our group practice and provides some acoustic softening."

Bestsellers like Noé & Noah and Ezer & Ezra combine that: the same 100% recycled felt as with functional panels, but with a 3D relief that is an artwork instead of a plate. Want to read more about what reverberation is and why it occurs? We explain that in Reverberation in the home: causes and the most beautiful solution, or check out 7 accessible tips in Improve acoustics: 7 tips to reduce reverb. Still hesitating between a slat wall and an artwork? We will elaborate on that comparison in a separate blog soon.

How many acoustic panels do you need?

That depends on the size of the room, the number of hard surfaces, and the intensity of the reverberation. A single panel at the busiest reverberation spot (opposite a window, above a sofa) is often already noticeable with slight reverberation. For a large, tall, or very reverberant space, such as an office or practice room, a combination of multiple panels or a higher damping level works better. If you're unsure, send us a photo of your space; we'll gladly advise you without obligation. Curious about how the material feels and which color suits you? Order a sample box, and the amount will be refunded with your order.

Frequently asked questions about acoustic panels

What is the difference between acoustic panels and a slat wall?
A slat wall consists of wood with a felt or foam layer behind it, and looks warm, but its acoustic value is usually not officially measured, and the wall is fixed to the wall. Loose acoustic panels, such as an acoustic artwork, can be used more precisely and are easier to hang and move.

Are acoustic panels fire-safe?
That depends on the panel. For offices, hospitality, healthcare, and schools, B1 certification is required. Our own artworks are B1-certified, suitable for use in public spaces.

Can you hang acoustic panels yourself?
With most panels that have a steel wire on the back, it's as easy as hanging a painting. Panels with a rail system or glue mounting require more work and sometimes a professional.

Do colored or printed acoustic panels work just as well as plain panels?
Yes, the acoustic effect lies in the material and thickness, not in the color or print. An acoustic artwork therefore dampens just as well as a plain, functional panel made of the same material.