Sound-absorbing panels are functional boards that absorb sound energy through a porous structure. The core principle is to convert incident sound energy into heat energy, resulting in significantly lower reflected sound energy compared to incident sound energy. Their material characteristics are primarily loose and porous (such as glass wool and polyester fiber), mainly addressing problems like excessive indoor echoes and muddy sound, unlike soundproofing panels that use dense materials to block sound transmission.
Classification and Performance Comparison of Decorative Sound Absorbing Panels
1. Fabric sound-absorbing panels (upholstered)
Construction: Fireproof cloth wrapped around Class A centrifugal glass wool; frame options include resin/aluminum alloy; custom designs are supported.
Performance: Balanced sound absorption across the entire frequency range, lightweight and easy to install (approximately 3kg/㎡), dust-free, and creates a warm and inviting decorative style.
Limitations: The fabric surface easily accumulates dust; humidity > 60% makes it prone to mold growth.
Price: 80-150 RMB/㎡ (standard size 600×600×25mm)
Suitable for: home theaters, KTVs, hotel private rooms (both decorative and sound absorption effects need to be considered).
2. Wooden sound-absorbing panels
Construction: High-density substrate with grooves and perforations, backed with sound-absorbing felt, and wood veneer to enhance the texture.
Performance: Excellent mid-to-high frequency sound absorption (sound absorption coefficient 0.5-0.8), E0 grade environmentally friendly, moisture-proof and mildew-proof.
Limitations: A 5mm expansion joint must be allowed during installation (to prevent thermal expansion and contraction); wall load-bearing capacity ≥ 30kg/㎡; solid wood version has a 30% premium.
Price: 130-300 RMB/㎡ (Composite board: 130-200 RMB, solid wood veneer: 200-300 RMB)
Suitable scenarios: Recording studios, theaters (where high audio clarity is required), corporate conference rooms, villa feature walls (for high-end decoration needs).
3. Perforated gypsum board
Construction: Perforated gypsum board (pore diameter 4-8mm, perforation rate 3-8%), backed with sound-absorbing membrane.
Performance: Significantly superior low-frequency sound absorption (sound absorption coefficient 0.6-0.9), Class A fireproof, seamless splicing.
Limitations: Weak high-frequency sound absorption (sound absorption coefficient < 0.4); construction flatness error must be ≤ 2mm.
Price: 25-55 RMB/㎡ (Standard size 1220×2440×9.5mm, 65-90 RMB per sheet)
Applicable scenarios: stadiums, factories (low-cost, large-area noise control), office areas, hospital ceilings (in conjunction with air conditioning/lighting systems)
4. Wood wool board
Construction: Wood fiber and cement composite pressing, porous structure (NRC up to 0.9)
Performance: Wideband sound absorption (0.7-0.9 for low frequencies, 0.8-1.0 for high frequencies), Class A fireproof, impact resistant (can withstand the impact of a 10kg falling ball).
Limitations: Weighing 25-30 kg/m², requiring a steel frame for installation, resulting in high transportation costs.
Price: Mid-to-high-end positioning (imported panels ≥ 200 RMB/㎡, domestic panels 180-280 RMB/㎡)
Applicable scenarios: renovation of historical buildings (auditoriums, libraries, preserving natural textures), gyms, basketball courts (resistant to equipment impacts).
5. Polyester fiber sound-absorbing board
Construction: 100% polyester fiber thermoforming, flexible (minimum radius of curvature 300mm).
Performance: Excellent high-frequency sound absorption (noise reduction coefficient 0.8-1.1), formaldehyde emission 0.05mg/L (E0 grade)
Limitations: Sound absorption performance decreases by 15-20% when the temperature is ≤120℃ and the humidity is >70%.
Price: 100-200 RMB/㎡ (Custom curved/printed designs will incur an additional 20-30%)
Suitable scenarios: studios, art centers (curved surface design), school classrooms, children's playgrounds (safe with no risk of falls)
Construction process standard flow
1. Base treatment and keel installation
Apply sound insulation felt:
Material: 2mm thick butyl rubber sound insulation felt, fully adhered to the original wall surface, with seam overlap ≥50mm.
Keel construction: Light steel keel + shock absorbers (metal keel is a must), with a 3mm rubber strip between the keel and the wall to prevent resonance.
Keel installation specifications: Fix along the top/ground keel (expansion bolts @ 600mm) → Vertical keel spacing ≤ 600mm → Fill with 50mm thick 80kg/m³ centrifugal glass wool (staggered joints)
2. Key Techniques for Panel Installation
| Installation method | Applicable boards | Key points of operation | Quality control |
|---|
| nailing method | Wood panels, metal panels | Self-tapping screws should be spaced ≤200mm apart, with the screw heads recessed 0.5-1mm into the board surface. | Repair nail holes with putty and sand them smooth. |
| Paste method | Polyester fiberboard | With an environmentally friendly adhesive coverage rate of ≥90%, the adhesive should be applied from one corner of the wall to the other. | Avoid stress within 24 hours |
| Clip-on method | Custom metal/wood panels | The keel has a pre-set aluminum alloy slot for precise edge clamping of the sheet metal. | Seam error ≤ 1.5mm |
Application Scenarios and Avoidance Guide
1. The core difference between sound-absorbing panels and sound-insulating panels
| Dimension | Sound-absorbing panels | Sound insulation board |
|---|
| Functional essence | Absorb sound energy (reduce reflection) | Blocking sound energy (reducing transmission) |
| Material properties | Porous and loose (porosity ≥ 30%) | Dense and heavy (surface density ≥ 10 kg/m²) |
| Typical applications | Indoor acoustic optimization (e.g., conference rooms) | External noise isolation (e.g., for residences facing the street). |
2. Common Construction Mistakes and Solutions
Error 1: Sound-absorbing material is blocked by a dense layer
▶ Example: Sound-absorbing cotton is laid behind wood veneer panels without a cavity
▶ Consequence: Sound absorption efficiency decreases by more than 90%
▶ Correction: Use perforated panels (perforation rate 3-8%) + 50mm cavity structure
Error 2: Perforated board directly attached to the wall
▶ Data: Low-frequency sound absorption coefficient <0.2 without cavity, can be increased to 0.6 with 50mm cavity
▶ Standard: Cavity depth behind the board ≥1/4 times the wavelength of the main absorption frequency
Mistake 3: Coating clogs pores
▶ Impact: After painting, the noise reduction coefficient of perforated gypsum board drops from 0.8 to 0.2
▶ Alternative: Use pre-coated boards or sound-permeable coatings (pore throughput ≥90%)
Selection Decision Reference
Budget-oriented choices:
Economy type (<100 RMB/㎡): Perforated gypsum board (low-frequency noise control) + polyester fiber board (high-frequency supplementation)
Mid-range (100-200 RMB/㎡): Fabric sound-absorbing panel (overall performance) + wood composite panel (decorative).
High-end (>200 RMB/㎡): Wood wool board (durability) + custom metal sound-absorbing panel (acoustic design)
Scene adaptation formula:
Home theater: Fabric sound-absorbing panels (side walls) + wooden sound-absorbing panels (backdrop wall) + perforated gypsum board (ceiling)
Office space: Perforated gypsum board (ceiling, to control low-frequency air conditioning noise) + polyester fiberboard (wall decoration)
Children's area: Polyester fiberboard (full-range sound absorption + safety impact protection) + wood wool board (impact-resistant area)
By clearly defining functional requirements, controlling construction details, and avoiding common pitfalls, the acoustic optimization effect of sound-absorbing panels can be maximized, achieving a balance between scientific noise reduction and spatial aesthetics.
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