5 Problems with Low-Quality Acoustic Panels

Ever noticed how some rooms just sound better? That's the magic of acoustic panels at work. Whether you're recording a song in a studio, attending a meeting in an office, or simply relaxing in your living room, the sound quality matters immensely. 

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These panels, often crafted from materials like foam, fibreglass, rock fibre, and PET, have a significant say in how your space sounds. High-quality ones can elevate your auditory experience, but if you're considering cutting corners, you might want to think twice. 

Before we jump in, remember: while acoustic panels deal with sound within a space, they don't block sound from coming or going&#;that's a job for soundproofing.

Sound Absorption 

The effectiveness of an acoustic panel is its ability to absorb sound. This is essentially about how well it can prevent those annoying echoes and reverb that can make conversations or music sound like they're taking place in a cavern. Different materials have their strengths&#;foam, fibreglass, rock fibre, and PET all bring something to the table. 

Even if you've chosen a proven material, if the quality isn't up to par, it might not deliver as you'd hope. The real culprits are those tricky low frequencies. You know, the ones responsible for that deep bass? They're a bit demanding and prefer thick, dense materials. So, if your panels are under 5cm thick, or if they're just not up to the task, you might find your space sounding less like a calming refuge and more like an echo chamber.

Lifespan 

When you invest in something, you'd hope it sticks around for a while, right? The same goes for acoustic panels. But here's the thing: not all materials age gracefully. Foam, for instance, can start to discolour, turning a not-so-lovely shade of yellow before it begins to crumble like an old biscuit! 

Then there are materials like rock fibre or fibreglass, which might start sagging if the binders holding them break down. And if these fibres decide to take a trip into the air? Well, let's just say they're not the best for respiratory health. In short, going cheap might have you revisiting your purchase decision sooner than you'd like, both for your room's sound quality and your health.

PET is the most durable material used for acoustic panels, but always check reviews to be sure you&#;re investing your money wisely.

Aesthetics 

While sound is the main game, you can't ignore the visuals. Acoustic panels can be quite the style statement, complementing the decor of your room. But if you opt for lower quality, you might be compromising on aesthetics. Foam panels, despite being budget-friendly and relatively easy to install, often come in a limited colour palette. 

If you're after a particular shade or pattern to match your room's vibe, fabric-covered panels might be your go-to. But a heads-up: even these can show signs of wear and tear, like sagging or fading, if they're not of the best quality.

The best-looking panels tend to be made from PET fibre and combine attractive shapes and patterns with fabrics to suit a range of tastes and decors.

Frequency Range 

Every space has its unique sound signature, based on its size, shape, and purpose. And while absorbing sound is vital, what's more crucial is absorbing the right frequencies. Spaces dedicated to sound-related work, like recording studios, need a precise balance. But here's the kicker: low-quality panels might not be cut out for the job. 

They might do a decent job with mid to high frequencies but might not be thick enough for the more demanding low frequencies. And if you're serious about sound, you'd know that this imbalance can significantly impact the clarity and quality of sound reproduction. 

Potential Health Hazards 

Sound quality is essential, but not at the expense of health. Some low-quality panels might use materials or production processes that can affect indoor air quality. There's a risk of off-gassing of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which can lead to a host of health issues with prolonged exposure. Then there's the potential hazard of panels breaking down, releasing particles which aren't the best to breathe in. And of course, there's fire safety to consider. 

Different settings have varied requirements, and it's crucial to ensure that any panel meets the necessary fire safety standards. PET fibre panels from a reputable supplier should ace all these requirements, keeping your home or work space quiet without compromising on safety.

FAQs

1. How can I identify a low-quality acoustic panel?

    

Research the materials and their quality. Foam, fibreglass, rock fibre, and PET are standard, but their quality can differ. You often get what you pay for, and products made in the UK and Europe may be higher quality than imports being sold on online marketplaces. Imported foam which is supplied in a compressed form is likely to be packaging or furniture foam being sold as acoustic. Reviews and technical specifications can offer additional insights.

1. Are all budget panels inherently low quality?

    

Not necessarily. While there's often a correlation between price and quality, it's crucial to assess materials and craftsmanship. A reputable brand's product, especially when the design seems innovative, might be a safer bet.

1. How often should I replace acoustic panels?

    

Depending on the material and its quality, some panels might need replacement sooner than others. Foam, for instance, might degrade faster than rock fibre or fibreglass. PET from a reputable supplier is likely to be the most durable choice.

1. Can I test an acoustic panel's sound absorption quality?

    

Holding different materials in front of your face and speaking can give you a feel for how effective it is at speech frequencies. You can also do before and after tests with test software such as Room EQ Wizard and a suitable microphone. 

The only way to really know in advance is to look at absorption test data from an independent acoustic lab, which the manufacturer should be able to provide. Single figure ratings such as NRC provide less information than absorption coefficients or Sabines for different frequency bands.

1. How do VOCs impact health?

    

VOCs can degrade indoor air quality. Over time, high VOC levels can lead to respiratory issues, allergies, and other health problems. PET is the best material choice if this is a concern.

1. What's the ideal frequency range for an acoustic panel?

    

It depends on the room's function. For example, studios benefit from panels efficient across a broad frequency range, particularly the lower frequencies. Complimenting acoustic panels with bass traps is also recommended when audio quality is a requirement. 

In general, the broader the frequency range of the material, the better. Don&#;t forget that thickness is directly related to frequency range, so thicker panels (5cm+) are always a better choice.

Acoustic design has long been considered an important part of architecture. Over time, designers, architects and building owners have tried a variety of methods and materials to help control echoes and sound in both residential and commercial spaces.

The earliest efforts involved dropped ceiling panels that were typically made of asbestos, cellulose and other materials designed to help dampen sound. They were cost-effective and highly efficient at helping to control noise.

Today&#;s acoustic materials, however, blend form and function to create spaces that are both aesthetically pleasing and acoustically comfortable.

What Is PET Felt?

&#;U of A&#; Phoenix, AZ, CO Architects, Taube Photography, Featuring: SoftFold® by Arktura

Polyethylene terephthalate, better known as PET felt, is a unique material. Strong and sturdy, it is better at controlling acoustics than drop ceiling panels.

PET felt looks and feels like wool, but this innovative acoustic felt is made of recycled water and soda bottles and can contain anywhere from 50% to 100% post-recycled content. It&#;s formed into sheets that can be transformed into panels, tiles, light fixtures and even furniture, all of which do a superior job of absorbing sound and controlling the acoustics in a room or building.

PET acoustic felt is highly durable and is easy to clean and maintain. It doesn&#;t contain organic material, so it won&#;t begin to degrade or crumble with time, and you can use it in a wide variety of settings without worrying about maintenance or care. It can be found in an incredible range of colors, as well as shapes and designs that help it fit in well with nearly any setting.

At the end of its lifespan, it&#;s also fully recyclable, making it an excellent green choice for today&#;s eco-conscious companies.

Why Use PET Felt?

Every building and space is unique, and so are their acoustic needs. One room may have high ceilings that need better acoustic control throughout, while another space may need acoustic performance targeted to certain areas to better facilitate study, work or conversation.

Every space also has its own design needs in terms of color, pattern and style, which means that acoustic felt panels can&#;t be a one-size-fits-all product. It should be customizable so that it can meet the unique and individual needs of each space. That&#;s what makes PET felt so attractive &#; it can be formed, shaped, folded and colorized to match the needs of every space it&#;s installed in.

Arktura Soft Sound® acoustic felt is used to manufacture acoustic ceiling panels and baffles, wall tiles and backing for our perforated metal panels. This product is a unique design element in its own right.

23 Designs With PET Felt

This highly innovative and versatile material can be used in many ways. Take a look at these stunning design ideas to see how PET could complement your office or commercial decor.

1. Suspended Panels

&#;M.C. Dean&#; Tyson, VA, Perkins+Will, Halkin Mason Photography, Featuring: SoundEdge® by Arktura

This conference room has a highly contemporary design with a slight industrial edge, making the SoundEdge® suspended acoustic panels the perfect fit for the space. The panels are alternated with hanging lights, with the color and texture of the panels blending perfectly with the rest of the room&#;s design, positioned right where the room has the biggest acoustic need.

2. Pops of Color

&#;West Monroe Partners&#; Chicago, Illinois, Garnett Architects &#; CH, Robert Buyle Photography, Featuring: SoundEdge® by Arktura

This space needed a more consistent acoustic control across the room. Rather than sticking with one color and shape, the panels were broken into two sizes with the smaller panels showing off a bright, bold yellow that compliments the wall in the adjacent room. This helps brighten the design and the space, while simultaneously providing the perfect amount of sound control.

3. Dynamic Acoustic Control

&#;Vitol&#; Houston TX, PDR, Featuring: Solutions Studio® by Arktura

A far cry from the drop ceiling panels of the past, these faceted acoustic felt ceiling baffles are the definition of innovation in the acoustic space. In this custom Solutions Studio® design, these grey ceiling baffles span the room, and were so impressive, they helped Vitol Houston be named an Architizer A+ Awards Finalist.

4. Moody Blues

&#;Engility&#; Springfield, VA, Form Architects, Spielmann Studio Photography, Featuring: SoundEdge® by Arktura

ROOAOO are exported all over the world and different industries with quality first. Our belief is to provide our customers with more and better high value-added products. Let's create a better future together.

This office needed acoustic control throughout the space, so clusters of deep blue suspended panels are mixed with a soft gray that matches the color of the flooring. Together, the colors help create a dynamic ceiling appearance for the room while also providing superior sound control.

5. Sleek and Subtle

&#;FEC Trammel Crow&#; Washington, DC, Smith Group, Hoachlander Davis Photography, LLC, Featuring: SoundEdge® by Arktura

This space features clean, crisp lines and sleek surfaces. The SoundEdge® acoustic panels suspended from the ceiling align with the style in a subtle way, and they help ensure that anyone using the space will be able to carry on conversations easily, no matter how busy it gets.

6. Sculptural Ceiling

&#;71 Above&#; Los Angeles, CA, Tag Front, Featuring: SoundStar® by Arktura

A benefit of using PET felt is its ability to be bent, sculpted and pieced together in so many ways. This area utilizes SoundStar® ceiling panels from Arktura in a neutral gray that matches the furniture, to create unique three-dimensional stars that help capture and absorb sound while creating a stunning and sculptural ceiling display.

7. Smooth Transitions

&#;Vrbo&#; Austin, TX, Rios Clementi Hale Studios &#; DT, Hunter Kerhart Architectural Photography, Featuring: Solutions Studio® by Arktura

These customized baffle wall and ceiling solutions curve around corners and transition smoothly across the walls and ceiling. Combining acoustic felt wall panels with ceiling panels controls noise throughout the busy work environment.

8. Suspended Stars

&#;One Medical Lobby&#; Chicago, IL, Callison RTKL, Featuring: SoundStar® by Arktura

For open spaces and buildings with high ceilings, sound control is even more important. Dropping a traditional ceiling only takes away from the height and style of the building, but by suspending sculptural panels instead, you can help absorb sound while enhancing and complementing the height of the space rather than undermining it.

9. Switch It Up

&#;MMO&#; Cleveland, OH, Bialosky Partners, Christian Phillips (Photographer) Featuring: SoftGrid® Switch by Arktura

The intricate web created by SoftGrid® Switch&#;s felt acoustic panels adds excitement and movement to the space even as it enhances acoustic support. For larger jobs, our SoftGrid® Max options let you maximize value and minimize the impact on the environment &#; a win-win.

10. Conversation Areas

&#;Optiv&#; Denver, CO, IA Interior Architects, James Florio (Photographer) Featuring: SoundStar® by Arktura

Commercial buildings and office spaces are often used for a variety of purposes at once, so they may feature wide-open spaces. This can make it difficult for people to sit and hold a quiet conversation when needed, particularly as more office spaces are adapting the open office concept to their design. By suspending felt acoustic panels just where you need them, you can create a quiet atmosphere without closing in the space.

11. Pastel Angles

&#;Open Cafe&#; Featuring: SoundAngle® by Arktura

If you want something a little more substantial than a thin panel, but don&#;t want a large three-dimensional sculpture on the ceiling, these V-shaped SoundAngle® felt acoustic panels are the perfect fit. They help absorb sound from multiple directions while providing a unique and stylish addition to the ceiling.

12. Multi-Level Dimension

&#;Contemporary Office&#; Featuring: SoftGrid® Round by Arktura

For a structural design, round baffles positioned at different levels create an acoustically controlled space with subtle dimensionality. SoftGrid® Round is a continuous series of rings that can be connected together, hung at different heights, span the entire ceiling or focus on a targeted area. The color options are wide-ranging, but in this case, white is the perfect choice for a neutral, unobtrusive design.

13. Subtle Stripes

&#;Madison Marquette&#; Washington, DC, Perkins+Will, Featuring: SoundAngle® by Arktura

Industrial spaces have a lot of character and appeal. They also need acoustic control. These SoundAngle® panels blend in perfectly with the industrial style ceiling without detracting from its appearance. They offer perfect sound control for the people using the space, making it the ideal spot for studying, working or relaxing.

14. Wood-Inspired Trellis

To bring in an element of nature and nod to outdoor garden trellises, these SoftSpan® 48 grids are wrapped in wood-textured Soft Sound® PET felt and suspended from the ceiling. The biophilic element of these panels complements the greenery included in the design.

15. Industrial Complement

&#;Open Office&#; Featuring: SoundAngle® by Arktura

Industrial spaces with prominent ductwork as part of the design have a unique visual appeal. These SoundAngle® panels help add some acoustic control, without covering up the ducts or taking away from their appearance. Instead, they complement the style effortlessly, enhancing the industrial appearance of the room.

16. Three-Dimensional 

&#;Neustar&#; Reston, VA, HKS Architects, Garrett Rowland Photography, Featuring: TriSoft® by Arktura

PET felt can also be layered to create unique patterns and three-dimensional ceiling structures. This area features a triangular geometric and playful design that covers the entire ceiling, offering superior acoustics and a design element to the room at the same time.

17. Space-Age Style

&#;Office Lounge&#; Featuring SoftGrid® Orbit by Arktura

SoftGrid® Orbit creates a space-age style in its honeycomb acoustic ceiling modules. These modules can connect together to span an entire room or create targeted acoustic support where it is needed most. The intricate pattern of panels included in each module is a space for light to play in, creating added depth within the room.

18. Dual Areas

&#;Advanced Clinic&#; Chicago, IL, Box Studios &#; CH, Featuring: SoftGrid® Flux by Arktura

One of the nice things about this style of ceiling panel is the ability to use it right where you need it. This building has two types of ceilings &#; one standard drop ceiling above the kitchen ceiling and one acoustic SoftGrid® ceiling over the seating areas &#; offering the visual appeal and sound control it needs in the loudest area of the room. The wood texture of the Flux panels adds an extra layer of elegance to the functionality of the ceiling design.

19. Folded Patterns

&#;Minotti Showroom&#; Atlanta, GA, Featuring: SoftFold® by Arktura

Get a contemporary look with PET felt that&#;s been folded into repeating patterns and designs. SoftFold® PET acoustic felt ceiling panels help soften the look of this contemporary room while complementing its strong lines and angles &#; and while offering sound control simultaneously.

20. Feel The Swell

&#;EmPower Health&#; Ewa Beach, HI, RMA Architecture, Olivier Koning Photography, Featuring: Atmosphera® Swell by Arktura

The gentle swelling wave pattern of Atmosphera® Swell lends excitement that is somehow both soothing and energizing. Just as the ocean&#;s rhythm ebbs and flows, so do these dramatic felt acoustic panels.

21. Blue Waves

&#;Nielson 675&#; New York, NY, The Switzer Group, Colin Miller Photography, Featuring: SoftFold® by Arktura

Create a subtle and brilliant backdrop for a room by adding some soft color to the ceiling. These SoftFold® panels are a rich blue color that creates the look of an ocean wave across the ceiling, adding a playful element to the room&#;s design and giving guests something to talk about while gathered together.

22. Open Weave

&#;Shoah Foundation&#; Los Angeles, CA, Belzberg Architects, Bruce Damonte (Photographer), Featuring: SoftFold® by Arktura

Busy spaces like this one need sound control to keep the area from getting overwhelmingly loud. However, with a low ceiling, the space would appear too closed-in. SoftFold® panels are the perfect solution &#; they offer a soft weave-like appearance that keeps the space from feeling too closed-in while adding much-needed acoustic control.

23. A Ceiling Cityscape

&#;Suny&#; Cobleskill, NY, Hamlin Design Group, Nicole McKasty-Stagg (Photographer) Featuring: SoftGrid® SkyLine by Arktura

Put the skyline on the ceiling with SoftGrid® SkyLine. Unlike the city, this skyline helps you avoid loud city noise and creates a dramatic look while controlling the room&#;s acoustics.

Make the Switch to PET Felt

By switching to PET felt for your acoustic designs, you open the doors to a wide range of possibilities in shape, color and style. You also get a durable, low-maintenance material that&#;s fully recyclable and green in construction. Make the switch to PET felt for your next project, and you will be amazed at the endless number of acoustic designs you can create.

For endless design possibilities, contact an expert at Arktura to discuss additional PET felt ceiling panel options.

The company is the world’s best 3D Pet Acoustic Panel supplier. We are your one-stop shop for all needs. Our staff are highly-specialized and will help you find the product you need.