The eye-catching wood linear veneered ceiling panels provide patients and families with a quieting connection to nature that helps in the healing process, while also serving as a wayfinding tool which helps with navigation around the building.
Acoustic performance
In the past, specifiers often had to make a trade-off between sight and sound, between aesthetics and acoustics, when it came to wood ceilings. Today, that is no longer the case as there is a broad range of options affecting acoustical performance.
To obtain the acoustic benefits of a wood ceiling, the panel must be backed with a material to absorb sound. Perforations in the panel increase the absorption of sound striking the surface.
The number, size, and shape of the perforations and the percent of open area all affect the acoustical absorption of the ceiling panel. Perforations vary in size and pattern depending on aesthetic appeal. For years, only limited perforation choices were available. Now, perforations are offered in a myriad of shapes including custom ones. Circles and ovals are the most popular.
Today, it is also possible to have microperforated panels in which the perforation openings are so small, they are virtually invisible. The result is the look of solid wood but with the ability to absorb most of the sound striking it.
The perforation pattern also affects the acoustical absorption of the ceiling and can impart a compelling visual effect. The most common standard patterns include horizontal and vertical rows, slots, and diagonals. Custom patterns are available as well.
Backloading the panel
The sound-absorbent material behind the perforations is usually in the form of a black acoustical fleece, encapsulated fiberglass, or a mineral fiber infill panel. The thickness and density of the material will affect its acoustical properties. In typical applications, the absorbent material is placed on top of the wood panel with an air gap between it and the deck above.
Today, it is possible to obtain the acoustic benefits of both sound absorption and sound blocking in a wood ceiling at the same time. To do so, it is recommended to back the perforated wood panel with a mineral fiber infill panel that has a noise reduction coefficient (NRC) of 0.60 or higher and a ceiling attenuation class (CAC) of 35 or higher in the same panel.
The NRC rating indicates the sound absorbing performance of a material. A ceiling panel with an NRC of 0.60 means it will absorb 60 percent of the sound striking it. The higher the NRC, the more the material prevents noise from bouncing around the room, reduces noise levels and reverberation time, and enhances speech intelligibility.
The CAC measures how well a material blocks sound from traveling from one space to another. The higher the CAC, the more the material reduces noise from adjacent spaces, ensures speech privacy, and provides quiet for concentration and focus. Panels with a CAC of 35 or greater represent high performance and are well-suited for spaces where speech privacy is a key consideration.
Case study
The administration building at Lyric Opera of Kansas City, Missouri, houses the regional opera company’s offices. When designing the space, architect Richard Hu of HJM Architects wanted to include a material that would add warmth to the building’s two-story lobby and open reception area on the second floor.
“The building has a very industrial aesthetic,” explained Hu. “Everything is exposed. We needed a warm material to offset all those cold, hard surfaces.”
The design team also needed to control acoustics. “The lobby is all concrete and glass, so it can get pretty noisy,” said Hu.
To accomplish both goals, the design team selected acoustical clouds comprised of concealed wood ceiling panels. Five acoustical clouds consisting of dark cherry wood veneer ceiling panels were suspended in a sloped, ribbon-like pattern above the space. Each cloud consists of a single row of standard panels with coordinated trim and a narrow reveal between each one.
