Wood panels are commonly installed in auditoriums and in rooms where acoustic performance is important. In closed auditoriums or classrooms, the sound quality plays an important role. Architects and designers have to make sure that the rooms are properly designed and the right materials are used for ensuring sound clarity.
One of the ways by which sound quality can be improved in auditoriums or classrooms is with the help of acoustical wood panels. Wood is commonly used in the construction and design industry, not only for its appearance, but also because of its acoustic performance.
Wood is often found at the heart of most building structures, primarily because of its resilience and its rigidity. However, apart from being strong, wood also has excellent acoustic properties. In fact, many musical instruments are often made from wood, including both percussive and stringed instruments.
The Sound Absorption Qualities of Wood
One of the reasons why wood is such an excellent choice is because there are so many different treatments and kinds of wood available. Fabric-wrapped wooden acoustic panels are capable of absorbing sound quite effectively, while diffusers are able to spill sound back in the open.
Acoustical wood panels allow soundwaves to reverberate and echo with ease throughout a closed space, especially in classrooms or auditoriums. They also provide considerably better sound absorption, which is an essential requirement in closed spaces.
In essence, the reason why wooden panels are so good is because they absorb sound quite effectively, reducing it by up to 50%. Acoustic wood panels can be installed around the walls of an auditorium and the ceiling to prevent sound from reverberating.
It’s important to understand that on its own, wood isn’t dense enough to fully absorb sound. But, with a fabric covering and proper crests or troughs, wood is capable of reducing reverberations considerably.
The fabric helps absorb the sound, while the grooves help in fragmenting the incoming soundwaves, disrupting passage and offering greater absorption qualities. Perforated wood acoustic panels are generally used in different buildings.
The Best Way to Reduce Echo Between Walls
One of the most effective ways to reduce echo between walls or the ceiling is to use acoustical wood panels. These sound panels are often made from a high-end fabric that’s wrapped around a porous fabric which is capable of trapping sound more effectively.
These acoustical wood panels can be installed in tandem with sound diffusers. Diffusers are able to spread sound at a certain frequency, all the while reducing standing soundwaves and improving clarity.
Depending upon the elevation of the stage, the amount of material required might vary. Designers often carefully evaluate the frequency response to determine the appropriate positioning for the acoustical wood panels. This helps reduce sound reflections and improves sound clarity for audience members.
More importantly, installing acoustic panels on the back wall improves sound absorption considerably, especially once the sound has passed through the audience once. This is a serious problem as sound tends to reflect from the back wall, causing speech intelligibility and affects clarity all around.
This helps cut down on the secondary waves that are released in the absence of any proper sound absorbing material.
Flooring is another major concern, though they are left largely untreated. Most auditoriums have padded chairs and carpeting which is more than capable of absorbing the sound. But, the sound does tend to reflect off the floor in some cases, and may reverberate off the ceiling.
To prevent this from happening, many auditoriums have suspended ceiling clouds. These are generally more effective when compared with conventional wall panels as they have a greater surface area, and the back of the cloud is also capable of absorbing sound.
The Popularity of Light-Frame Wooden Panels
Light-frame wood panels are generally quite popular for improving acoustics performance. One of the major reasons why they are preferred is because they absorb airborne soundwaves and prevent sound from spilling from one area to another.
Certain types of wood panels have greater sound transmission class (STC) ratings. They are capable of mitigating sound transfer and can help keep the sound within the auditorium, providing a greater soundscape while preventing any kind of reverb or echo.
Balancing Form and Function
Now that you know just how important acoustic wood panels are in absorbing and redistributing sound, it’s also crucial to talk about appearance. In an auditorium or a closed space, hanging wood panels is obviously going to affect the aesthetics of the place.
Therefore, it’s important to balance both form and function and opt for materials that look good and perform just as well. Depending upon the composition of the wooden panels, their sound absorption qualities will vary.
However, when selecting acoustical wood panels for any auditorium or closed space, it’s important to evaluate their outer appearance too. The Acoustech Wood Panels from AVL Systems are an excellent choice, as they are available in various designs, with custom digital imagery available for each panel.
Their wall and ceiling panels are made from high quality fiberglass board, with a wrapping of decorative fabric that further improves its performance and its aesthetic appeal. These are some of the best sound panels in the industry, improving absorption efficiency in any closed space.
And, the best part is that they are available in various custom sizes, and decorative fabric facings are also available.
Install the Best Acoustic Sound Panels from AVL Systems
If you’re looking for high-end acoustic sound panels for use in different spaces, such as an auditorium or a classroom, AVL Systems has an excellent range of options available. Their acoustic wood panels offer the highest sound absorption efficiency and performance, and they are generally lightweight, making them a highly flexible choice all around.
These wood panels are highly durable and resistant to damage, making them an ideal choice for use in high-traffic areas. They are available in an array of different prints, textures, and finishes, so they can easily blend into the décor of the place they are installed in.