FAQ Office Acoustics

Desk screens(also known as desk partitions) are dividers attached to desks to provide a level of privacy between employees. These systems tend to be popular in bench desking situations, as they offer privacy without the level of isolation that often comes with a cubicle set up. They offer a division between desks and can be easily taken off or changed. Providing a flexible partition solution should your office layout or desk situation change. Depending on the material they are made of, acoustic desk screens are also able to reduce the noise among the desks. Providing a better, more productive environment.

Acoustic screensare vertical, freestanding or desk mounted fabric covered, double-sided screen dividers. Used in open areas, like open plan offices, to absorb noise or to reduce echo. Acoustic screens act as a barrier by helping to prevent noise from passing through one area to another. They are designed to minimise sound travel and to create private spaces in open plan offices. Acoustic screens offer the dual benefit of sound absorption and blocking. These screens are flexible and can be easily re-positioned in order to provide the most effective sound blocking solution.

Acoustic panelsare noise absorbing panels that attach to your walls, glass or hang from your ceiling. Acoustic panels are designed to reduce, correct or absorb noise pollution in noisy areas. These panels come in a variety of finishes, colours and sizes and are the most popular choice of soundproofing options within offices due to the fact that they are easy to install anywhere within the office. Though their main objective is to reduce noise pollution in open spaces, they also help to add a touch of design and style to any wall space they are attached to.

Yes, sound absorbing panels work, but their effectiveness is dependent on many factors; such as space itself, the number of panels used and the level of noise you are hoping to reduce. By placing sound absorbing panels where sound waves bounce back sound reverberation will lessen, making it easier to hear and focus. Sound absorbing panels improve the sound quality within your room by absorbing sound in your office, classroom, canteen or anywhere where excess noise is a big problem. Their levels of sound absorption are dependent on the size of the panels and the material used to make them. Thicker panels may absorb more sound waves, but in general, the amount of panels you have stationed around a room has a bigger influence on the amount of sound reduction experienced within the space.

Made of a special type of foam, sound absorbing panels absorb sound waves to reduce general noise. When sound waves travel through the air and hit these panels the foam pores vibrate, increasing their friction and turning the sound energy into kinetic (heat) energy. Kinetic energy cannot be contained and so it disappears leaving no sound waves, therefore no sound. Essentially these panels clean the area of unnecessary sounds and block noise from both entering or exiting a room. The best sound absorption panels are fabric-wrapped panels, which offer superior noise control for a wide range of applications. Sound absorbing panels tend to be lighter, may feel cushion-like to the touch and are capable of “softening” room surfaces. Sound-absorbing panels can also be used to limit echoes in larger areas, such as banquet halls and gymnasiums.

The effectiveness of acoustic panels is measured on a scale from A to E (A means the best absorption). This class is calculated using what is called the “Noise Reduction Coefficient” (commonly abbreviated to NRC) and Sound Absorption Average (SAA), a scalar representation of the amount of sound energy absorbed when noise is striking a particular surface. The difference between NRC and SAA is that the first is calculated over a sound frequency range of 250-2000 Hz while the other 200-2500 Hz. An NRC of 0 indicates the perfect sound reflection and an NRC of 1 indicates perfect sound absorption. For Example, a class A (best sound absorption) spans between 0.9 and 1 NRC (meaning 90% to 100% of the sound is absorbed), while class E between 0.15 – 0.25 (meaning only 15% to 25% of the sound is absorbed). It becomes important to choose the right sound absorption class when you purchase office acoustics, to ensure to reduce the noise effectively.

No, acoustic panels will not completely soundproof a space. Acoustic panels are designed to improve the acoustics within a room by absorbing sound waves and reducing echoes and reverberation. They are effective at reducing sound reflections and improving sound quality within a space, but they will not block all outside noise or prevent sound from escaping a room. If you require complete soundproofing, it's important to consult with a professional and explore other soundproofing options.

An acoustic meeting podi s a small, enclosed space designed to provide a private and soundproof environment for meetings and conversations. It is usually made of sound-absorbing materials to reduce noise levels and improve speech intelligibility.

An acoustic meeting pod offers several benefits, such as increased privacy, reduced distractions, improved speech intelligibility, and enhanced collaboration. It can also help reduce noise pollution in open office environments and create a more comfortable and productive workspace.

Acoustic meeting pods work by using sound-absorbing materials to reduce noise levels and improve speech intelligibility. They usually have a ventilation system to provide fresh air and prevent overheating, and some models may also have integrated lighting, power outlets, and connectivity options.

There are several types of acoustic meeting podsavailable, such as single-person pods, two-person pods, four-person pods, and larger pods for group meetings. Some models may be designed for standing meetings or phone calls, while others may have integrated seating options and table surfaces.

When choosing an acoustic meeting pod, you should consider factors such as size, capacity, acoustics performance, ventilation, lighting, and connectivity options. You should also consider your budget and the specific needs of your team, such as the types of meetings you typically hold and the amount of privacy and collaboration required.