Why Acoustical Products are Having a 'Moment'

by Valerie Glander

Office design trends, by nature, tend to move at a slower pace than other Interior Design trends.  Office furniture is expected to have a useful life of seven to ten years, although it is common for offices to have furniture that is upwards of 20 years old.  By contrast, the useful life of technology products is about three years. 

Over the last decade, we’ve consistently seen the industry move toward open spaces.  We have partnered with hundreds of companies to create workspaces with lower panels, no panels, and more collaborative space.  These designs allow natural light and improved feelings of spaciousness, but also create higher noise levels. 

Enter Acoustical products.  Five to ten years ago, designers fell in love with the idea of bringing color and texture into space with sound-absorbing panels.  There were some European products and specialty lines out there, but it was a difficult sell.  Fast forwards a few years – now that so many of our clients have open offices, they are ready to tackle the sound issues.  Currently, we have 20+ vendors offering Acoustical panels, baffles, even lighting.  And we are ready! 

Acoufelt Fracture Wall Panels

We know they look cool, but let’s talk about the functional benefits of Acoustical Sound absorbers. 

Sound released into an environment travels until it meets resistance (walls, floor, ceiling) where it reflects back into the space.  If surfaces have low Noise Reduction Coefficients (NRC), like glass or tile, you’re likely to hear an echo.  Surfaces with more absorption – carpet, acoustical ceiling tiles and systems furniture panels have high NRC values because they absorb more sound than they reflect. 

Unika Vaev e3 Tiles

Acoustical Tiles

Acoustical wall tiles are made in various sizes, shapes and colors to create visual wall treatments featuring color and texture, in addition to providing effective sound absorption. These Unika Vaev e3 tiles are adhesive backed, making them a cost effective and easy solution.  Use them in small spaces, such as meeting or lounge spaces to reduce noise from conversation from traveling throughout the space.  In open spaces, with large glass or hard surface walls, consider adding acoustical tiles near seating or conversation areas. 

Acoufelt Truss Baffles

BuzziDonut Clouds

Baffles and Clouds

In spaces with high or open ceilings, acoustic baffles or clouds can help control sound and improve speech intelligibility.  Baffles are hung in groupings of long slats that come in a range of styles from simple rectangular to decorative cuts and bright colors.  Clouds are hung horizontally from the ceiling in flat or sculptural shapes.  Use them to create the visual appearance of more intimate space by clustering over furniture groupings.  One of my favorites is from one of our local partners – Acoufelt.  Their WoodBeQuiet printed ceiling baffles provide the architectural appeal of real wood slats without sacrificing sound quality. 

Nevins Ariel Hanging Screens

Hanging Screens

Another easy way to visually divide open spaces is by using hanging acoustical screens.  Hanging screens provide opportunity to bring dynamic displays of color or pattern, as well as varying degrees of acoustical privacy.  Use them to create collaborative space that can be moved both easily and inexpensively.  Ariel screens from Nevins provide both cutout and solid panel options with beautiful patterns. 

Unika Vaev MixMax

Modular Screens

Freestanding modular screens work well in flexible workspaces because they give users the ability to change the space to meet their needs at any given time.  Use them to create small conversation spaces or to provide instant ‘focus time’ barriers between workstations and high traffic aisles.  Stop in to our showroom to try out the Mix Max screen from Unika Vaev.

The Acoustical product market has really exploded with options – these products can both enhance the visual appeal and physical comfort of a room.  As office spaces continue to change, be sure to consider the acoustical needs of your workspace as well as the furniture and finish needs.