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How to create the best acoustics

Reverberation is a common problem in different environments. Using too many hard materials (glass, concrete, steel) makes sounds reflect, resulting in poor acoustics. This causes poor speech intelligibility and it also makes the room feel uncomfortable and chilly.

To reduce the reverberation in your room, it is best to apply absorption material. This will allow the sound waves to penetrate and be absorbed. The best acoustic solution differs per room. Each environment should be individually examined.

What is (good) acoustics?

The transfer of sound between a particular source and listener in a room is affected by the acoustics. Good acoustics strongly depend on the purpose of a room. What is good acoustics for one room is very bad for another. A concert hall or church has different acoustic requirements than an office or a classroom. In a church it is important to have a long reverberation, so the church choir and organ can sound well. For an office, on the other hand, you would like a short reverberation time, to make the speech intelligibility as high as possible.

Basically, the acoustic solutions depend on the type of sound, the function and volume of a room.

Technical acoustics

The importance of good acoustics

Acoustics are indispensable in our life. Your general well-being is closely related to your acoustic comfort. If you stay in a room with poor acoustics for a long time, your health will suffer. It can lead from frustrations, stress, concentration disorders to depression and many cardiovascular diseases.

Quality of sound will not magically appear in an acoustically poor environment. By absorbing sound waves with soft materials, the sound cannot reflect. This creates a pleasant acoustic indoor climate where you can comfortably enjoy every sound.

Sound absorption vs sound insulation

Reducing reverberation time in a room can be done by absorbing sound waves. Sound-absorbing materials ensure that sound waves are let in, but not fully reflected.

Sound insulation provides optimal sound between the rooms . Due to good sound insulation, the sound is sent back to where it came from.

Absorption en insulation

Desired reverberation times

Business

Office 0.5 sec. – 0.8 sec.
(building order: max 0.8 sec.)
Call center 0.5 sec. – 0.8 sec.
Meeting room 0.6 sec. – 0.8 sec.
(building order: max 0.8 sec.)
Reception 0.6 sec. – 1.0 sec.
(building order: max 1.0 sec.)
Waiting space 0.7 sec. – 1.0 sec.
(building order: max 1.0 sec.)
Treatment room 0.6 sec. – 0.8 sec.
(building order: max 0.8 sec.)
Consultation room 0.5 sec. – 0.6 sec.
(building order: max 0.6 sec.)

Sports

Swimming pool 1.2 sec. – 1.5 sec.
(building order: max 1.5 sec.)
Gym 1.2 sec. – 1.5 sec.
(building order: max 1.5 sec.)

Education

Theory room 0.5 sec. – 0.8 sec.
(building order: max 0.8 sec.)
Practice room 0.6 sec. – 0.8 sec.
(building order: max 0.8 sec.) )
Daycare 0.5 sec. – 0.8 sec.
(building order: max 0.8 sec.)
Sports area 1.2 sec. – 1.5 sec.
(building order: max 1.5 sec.)

Catering

Restaurant 0.5 sec. – 0.7 sec.
Talk Cafe 0.5 sec. – 0.7 sec.
Café with music 0.8 sec. – 1.0 sec.

Music studio

Recording space 0.2 sec. – 0.4 sec.
Practice space 0.7 sec. – 0.9 sec.

Industry

Distribution centers 0.7 sec. – 1.0 sec.
Magazine 0.7 sec. – 1.0 sec.
Workshop 0.7 sec. – 1.0 sec.

Home

Living room 0.4 sec. – 0.7 sec.
Home cinema 0.3 sec. – 0.5 sec.

Optimal acoustics stimulate productivity and comfort

Acoustic comfort has a major influence on the success of a company. It has a direct influence on the functioning of employees. Every stimulus takes employees out of their flow, which results in stress, loss of focus and performance.

Acoustic walls, dividers and furniture for an acoustically comfortable open-plan office

The advantages of good acoustics in the office

Good acoustics in a working environment ensure a more pleasant working environment. It ensures better speech intelligibility, better performance, more concentration, less absenteeism and a better atmosphere in the office. Research shows that happy employees are 22% more productive. Investing in good acoustics in the office is investing in the success of your company.

Better speech intelligibility
Fewer health complaints
Better concentration and performance
A pleasant atmosphere and more peace
An optimal experience of every sound

Reverb solutions tailored to your project

Noise control is essential for an optimal healthy and acoustic environment. At home, at a restaurant, at work, in a concert hall, … Noise nuisance must determine the atmosphere in every room and not bring it down. Our high-quality acoustic solutions ensure that every form of sound is mitigated. Thanks to PETAC ^®, an environment scores both visually and acoustically.

Acoustic wall panels

The acoustic panels can easily be used as wall cladding. Advantages are that you no longer have to plaster, sand and paint and you immediately opt for a decorative acoustic solution.

Playful ceiling islands in PETAC® silver wool felt for a restaurant

Acoustic ceiling panels

Our acoustic ceiling panels come in different shapes and sizes and can be glued directly to the ceiling. It makes the ceiling panels suitable for rooms with different heights.

Acoustic claustra wall as a divider to guarantee privacy in the restaurant

Acoustic dividers

Our acoustic dividers are sound-absorbing, of high quality and can be personalized as desired. They can be mounted on the desktop or used seperately.

Acoustic furniture

Sound-absorbing furniture reduces reverberation, which results in a perfect sound experience. Cupboards, cupboard doors, modular walls, acoustic cupboard coverings … Everything can be supplied as a standard or a custom solution.

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