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Soundproof Panels With Art: Decorative, Felt and Custom Prints

Updated

A soundproof panel with art is just an absorption panel with a printed face, and it cuts echo as well as a plain panel with the same core. GIK Acoustics says its art panels use the same core as its standard panels, rated NRC 1.05, and that the print is acoustically transparent (GIK art panels (opens in a new tab)). Like every decorative panel, though, it won't stop noise from next door. So pick the core and thickness for the sound, then pick the print, felt or color for the room.

Do decorative soundproof panels block noise?

Decorative soundproof panels soak up echo inside the room, but they block very little noise between rooms. They're light and porous, and blocking takes weight. Primacoustic's 2 in. Broadway panel weighs 1.4 lb/sq ft (Riverbank test report (opens in a new tab)). That's less than a single 2.2 lb/sq ft layer of 5/8 in. drywall (USG (opens in a new tab)).

If blocking noise is what you're after, the soundproof panels guide covers it. The rest of this page is about picking panels that look good and absorb well.

Types of decorative soundproofing panels

Decorative soundproofing panels come in four main forms. How much each one absorbs depends more on its depth than on its finish.

Bar chart of lab NRC: 1/2 inch felt flat on the wall 0.45, 1 inch felt flat 0.60, 1/2 inch felt hung 8 inches off the surface 0.85, 2 inch fabric-wrapped fiberglass 1.00
Go thicker, or space the panel off the surface, and it absorbs more. Sources: Acoufelt (opens in a new tab), Primacoustic (opens in a new tab).

  • Art print panels

    Any image

    A printed fabric or coated face over fiberglass. The thickest option, and the one that absorbs the most.

  • Felt panels

    Class A fire

    PET felt in solid colors, V-cuts or woodgrain. Thin and light.

  • Wood slat panels

    NRC 0.55 flat

    Veneered slats over felt. See wood soundproof panels.

  • Painted panels

    Any color

    Primacoustic's Paintables coating takes paint and keeps absorbing.

Soundproof panels with art and custom prints

Soundproof art panels get their look from a print on the face. The core doesn't change, so a printed panel absorbs like the plain one. Primacoustic's Paintables option swaps the fabric for a breathable latex finish. You can spray paint it any color "without affecting acoustic performance," or take it to a local print shop, and many of those use UV flatbed printers (Primacoustic Paintables (opens in a new tab)).

Custom soundproof panels can mean custom sizes, too. Acoufelt's standard WoodBeQuiet felt panels are 48 by 110 in., and it'll cut custom sizes to order with a 3 to 6 week lead time (Acoufelt spec sheet (opens in a new tab)).

Felt soundproofing panels

Felt soundproofing panels are thin sheets of polyester (PET) felt. Acoufelt's come 1/2 or 1 in. thick and rate NRC 0.45 to 0.60 flat on the wall, or up to 0.85 when you hang them 8 in. (200 mm) off the surface (Acoufelt (opens in a new tab)).

  • Weight: 0.49 lb/sq ft at 1/2 in. and 0.98 lb/sq ft at 1 in.
  • Fire: ASTM E84 Class A, flame spread 15, smoke developed 200.
  • Material: polyester felt that's at least 60% recycled content.
  • Mounting: adhesive backing, construction adhesive or Z-clips, per the WoodBeQuiet slat spec sheet (opens in a new tab).

Example: A 1/2 in. felt panel absorbs about half of what a 2 in. fabric-wrapped panel does (NRC 0.45 vs 1.00). If your room has real echo, either cover more wall with felt or go with the thicker panel.

White and black soundproof panels

White soundproofing panels and black soundproof panels absorb the same as any other color. The core and thickness set the NRC, not the paint job. Acoufelt publishes one NRC for its 1/2 in. panel across 30 woodgrain finishes and 5 V-cut colors, Black included (spec sheet (opens in a new tab)).

Primacoustic's EcoScapes slat panels come in Ebony, Oak, Fog and Pine, and all of them rate NRC 0.55 mounted flat (product page (opens in a new tab)). Thinking about painting plain panels to match a wall? Read can you paint acoustic panels first. For recovering them, see what fabric to use for acoustic panels.

FAQ

Does a printed image reduce absorption?

Not if the face is made for it. GIK calls its print process acoustically transparent, and Primacoustic says painting its Paintables finish doesn't affect performance. Just make sure the maker says the face can take a print before you print on it.

Are felt panels a fire risk?

Acoufelt's felt is rated ASTM E84 Class A. Fire ratings vary from product to product, so check the data sheet. Are acoustic panels fire resistant explains what the ratings mean.

How many decorative panels do I need?

The same number you'd need of plain panels with the same NRC. A printed face doesn't change the count. How many acoustic panels do I need gives the numbers room by room.

Can I make my own art panel?

Yes. Wrap a printed, breathable fabric over a fiberglass or mineral wool board; see how to make acoustic panels. There are more answers in the soundproof panels FAQ.

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