How to Make Acoustic Panels: Cut List, Steps and Real Cost

To make acoustic panels, set a 24 x 48 in. board of 2 in. rigid fiberglass inside a 1x4 wood frame and wrap the whole thing in breathable fabric. The core does the heavy lifting: 2 in. Owens Corning 703 (opens in a new tab) rates NRC 1.00, which means it soaks up nearly all the mid-range sound that hits it.

Front view to scale of a 25 1/2 by 49 1/2 inch frame of 1x4 around a 24 by 48 inch board, cut list two pieces at 49 1/2 inches and two at 24 inches from two 8 foot boards, and a section showing fabric over a 2 inch board flush with the front of a 3 1/2 inch frame, leaving a 1 1/2 inch air gap at the wall — Each 8 ft 1x4 gets you one long side and one short side.

Cut and screw the frame. Two 49 1/2 in. sides and two 24 in. ends, glued and screwed at the corners.
Fit the board. Press it in flush with the front edge, which leaves 1 1/2 in. of air behind it. Wear gloves, long sleeves and eye protection when you're cutting fiberglass.
Wrap and staple. Fold the fabric around to the back. Start in the middle of each side and work out to the corners.
Hang it on Z-clips or picture wire, as in how to install acoustic wall panels.

Example: At ATS list prices as of October 2026, a case of six 2 in. 703 boards (opens in a new tab) is $139.99 ($23.33 each) and 56 in. burlap (opens in a new tab) is $7.99 a yard. One panel takes 2 yards, so $23.33 + $15.98 = $39.31 plus lumber and screws, compared with $79.95 for ATS's finished 2 x 4 ft panel (opens in a new tab).

Homemade panels cut echo. They don't soundproof a wall. A 2 in. board weighs only 0.5 lb/sq ft (3.0 lb/cu ft x 2 / 12), and blocking noise takes mass and sealed gaps, as the soundproof panels guide explains. There are more answers in the soundproof panels FAQ.

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