Hello! My name is Isabel and I just started here at Lehner Designs as an Interior Design Intern. I am currently a junior at Purdue Indianapolis in the Interior Design Technology program. I am also the treasurer for our Student Design Organization, I love the opportunity it gives me to be involved in our program and on campus!
Today I want to talk about something I have been learning a lot about in school this semester. Acoustics!
Acoustics are one of the most important, yet overlooked design features for any space. Noise pollution has been linked to various health issues such as stress, anxiety, and lack of quality sleep. Whether you are selecting for a residential or commercial space it is always important to be mindful of your acoustics and make selections accordingly as they impact your wellbeing. They can also contribute to the overall aesthetic of a space if used well.
RESIDENTIAL
Acoustic solutions can be just as important in the home as they are in commercial spaces. Typically there are less acoustic specific solutions and materials for the home space, but any material or structural decisions made can affect the acoustics of your living space. In general consider your walls, floors and furniture as materials that will either absorb or bounce sound.
COMMERCIAL
In commercial spaces, most acoustic solutions must have an NRC rating. An NRC rating can tell you how to use certain acoustic solutions. NRC stands for Noise Reduction Coefficient and is measured on a scale from 0 to 1. The higher the decimal, the more sound absorption. Always be on the lookout for a high NRC rating on your labels.
There are many different solutions for commercial spaces, below I talk about them and highlight some favorites of each type.
PET Felt
PET Solutions look really cool, while also being environmentally friendly! PET is felt that is made from 100% recycled materials. They have very good NRC ratings and can be made into any shape or color.
This is a cool ceiling mounted PET cloud from Armstrong Ceiling Solutions! It has an NRC rating of 0.85 and comes in a variety of colors as well as different panel sizes. The way it creates a fluid like movement complements a workspace perfectly! It is energizing and calming all at the same time.
Ceiling Tiles & Panels
Ceiling tiles and panels are one of the most discreet ways to add acoustic solutions to your space. If you want something neutral they are an excellent source of sound absorbance. However, if you want to make a statement with your ceiling there are a variety of suspended acoustical ceiling tiles (aka “clouds”) that are wonderful choices for fun designs. Panels and tiles can be made of any material you could think of! Check out these ceiling mounted wood slat panels from Armstrong Ceilings.
These wood panels can be applied to both ceilings and walls and have an NRC range of 0.70-0.85 depending on the size of panel selected. They also come in multiple wood type finishes and slicing patterns!
If you are looking for a more subtle ceiling check out these fiberglass ceiling tiles from Armstrong. They come in several different shapes and colors. They also have LED recessed lighting options that fit into them!
Wall Panels & Tiles
Wall panels and tiles are a great way to make a design statement while also layering acoustics. You can create murals or interesting designs with tiles and larger wall panels can provide a lot of color and texture to a space. Momentum Textiles has some great options for both.
Check out this cool statement piece using the tuxedo wall tile and this awesome flower wall design using the petal wall tile, both from Momentum!
Layering
A great way to create acoustic harmony in your space is by layering all of the products mentioned above. Ceiling tiles, wall panels and any sort of PET design can all be layered to create the right amount of sound absorption for your specific space needs. The opportunities are endless!
I hope you enjoyed learning about acoustic products and all they have to offer. I know they can sound boring at first, but once you start designing with them, you can create some really cool stuff!
