The dampening factor: Sound absorption
There is a reason absorption often takes center stage in architectural design: it reduces the amount of reflection of sound waves off a surface, thereby minimizing noise levels and improving the auditory experience by making a space feel quieter and more inviting. One of the primary objectives of absorption is to enhance comfort and functionality in indoor environments by dampening sound.
This makes wall and ceiling products with absorption qualities a great solution for open-plan offices, where conversations, video conferences, and other unwanted ambient sounds can lead to excessive noise levels that make it challenging for employees to concentrate. In healthcare settings, absorption helps where patients need calm environs to heal, and medical staff members need privacy when discussing patient cases. Absorption options are also effective in schools, which feature a variety of spaces—from large gymnasiums and libraries to small classrooms—with different sound control needs under one roof.
Textile- and fabric-wrapped panels are the ideal solution for absorption. Materials such as felt and polyester offer natural sound-absorbing qualities with high noise reduction, as well as a wide array of colors, textures, and patterns for design versatility. Perhaps surprisingly, wood panels can also offer sound absorption; though wood is naturally reflective, it can be perforated and used with an acoustical backer for noise control.
Strategic amplification: Sound reflection
Unlike sound absorption, which dampens sound energy, sound reflection involves surfaces that bounce and concentrate sound waves back into the environment, amplifying sound in strategic ways that enhance the perception and experience of occupants.
The most important function of reflection is it contributes to auditory clarity and amplification in various environments. Spaces such as concert venues, auditoriums, and lecture halls are meticulously designed to incorporate reflective surfaces that help project sound and ensure it reaches the entire audience without significant loss or distortion. The strategic placement of reflective panels plays a pivotal role in enhancing the auditory experience, enabling lecturers’ or performers’ voices or musical instruments to be heard clearly, even in the back rows.
