With their distinctive slat wall design and acoustic enhancing properties, it’s fair to say that
acoustic wall panels have surged in popularity in recent years.
Suitable for covering either a small section of a wall or the entirety of an interior wall surface, acoustic wall panelling is a contemporary alternative to some of the traditional wall panel styles we’ve seen in previous years. In particular, slatted wood wall panels feature an intuitive design that goes far beyond looks to also enhance the sound quality of your space.
If you’re considering installing acoustic wall panels in your home, office or commercial environment, here is everything you need to know to inspire your project.
What Is An Acoustic Wall Panel?
An acoustic wall panel is made from a series of evenly spaced wooden slats which have been mounted onto a sound absorbing frame. Also known as vertical wood slat wall panels, acoustic wall panelling is used for both decorative and functional purposes.
Suitable for a wide range of commercial and residential environments, acoustic wall panels are particularly ideal to use where there is a need to enhance the sense of privacy or sound quality.
Acoustic wall panelling is designed to interlink, meaning each panel will snugly fit to the next offering a seamless design when installed on your walls or ceilings.
However, acoustic panels can also be installed as a partial wall design to break up the look of a blank wall, or to provide acoustic enhancement behind wall-mounted media units.
What Do Acoustic Wall Panels Do?
Acoustic panels for walls have two core functions in that they improve both the acoustic ambience as well as the aesthetics of the room.
Take a close look at the design of acoustic wall panels, and you’ll notice they feature vertical wooden slats which are applied to a thick felt backing. This allows the panels to effectively absorb and diffuse sound, helping to reduce issues such as echoing or reverberation in the room.
Of course, the slat wood panel design isn’t just clever in terms of improving acoustics, as it also makes a stunning visual impact. As a result, acoustic panels offer a minimalist design that fits with any decor or colour palette. Acoustic wall panels are particularly ideal for adding visual interest to bare walls, all while working to improve the sound quality of the room.
Acoustic Wall Panelling Benefits
- Achieves a high end look with ease
- Can be installed vertically or horizontally
- Ceiling or wall installation possible
- Contemporary alternative to traditional wall panelling
- Cost-effective
- Creates instant visual impact
- Easy to install
- Enhances acoustics of the room
- Low maintenance
- Multiple colour options
- Striking visual design
- Suitable for residential or commercial environments
How Are Acoustic Slat Wood Wall Panels Different From Other Wall Panels?
Two main differences set acoustic slat wood wall panels apart from other types of wall panels. These differences are based on their appearance as well as the functionality that they provide.
For example, Edwardian or Georgian style wall panelling is typically made from wood, or MDF if the panels are a modern replica. Traditional wooden wall panels are used to add a decorative touch to suit the style of the property. Therefore, the design characteristics of the panels will be based on a specific era. Overall, the purpose of traditional wood panels is purely for aesthetics, with the wood itself not offering any acoustic benefit to the room.
In contrast, slatted wood wall panels are a contemporary alternative to traditional styles of wood panels. Crucially, they seek to go beyond aesthetics to improve the sound quality of the room. This makes acoustic panels for walls ideal when installed behind TVs or media units, or in any room where the sound bounces around.
Where To Use Acoustic Panels?
Acoustic panels can be used within residential and commercial environments, wherever there is a need to enhance the acoustics or the aesthetics of the room. Despite being called acoustic wall panels, acoustic panels can also be applied to ceilings.
Ideas of where to install acoustic panels include bars, bedrooms, behind media or TV units, cafes, ceilings, hallways, hotels, kitchens, living rooms, offices, reception areas, restaurants, retail, stairs and walls.
In short, anywhere in your home or business where you are looking to make an instant visual impact, while also wanting to improve the sound quality of the space.
Why not take a look at our WoodWall panels in action to get some design inspiration for your project?
How To Install Acoustic Panels On Wall
[Richard: Embed the installation video you mention on the website here if you have it]
As acoustic wall panels are supplied as a readymade design, they are some of the easiest wall panel types to install. For a professional or competent DIYer, the process of installing acoustic panels should be straightforward.
At WoodWall, we have our own acoustic wall panel installation instructions to guide you. So rest assured, we’ll tell you everything you need to know including the tools you’ll need and the best techniques for a hassle-free installation.
In a nutshell, you will need to cut any panels to size and drill them into the wall, using the interlocking design to guide you. Acoustic panels can also be cut to make room for plug sockets or light switches. Any offcuts can be used to fill any gaps if your walls are taller or wider than the panels to ensure a seamless finish.
Depending on your design preferences, you can install acoustic panels vertically or horizontally.
Are Wood Slat Wall Panels Worth It?
If you are in the market for a wall covering that improves the acoustics of the room while being easy to install and of course, makes a striking style statement—then slatted wall panels aka acoustic wall panels are most definitely worth it!
Furthermore, wood slat wall panels arrive as a readymade design. So while they will need cutting to size, the process of doing so is designed to be straightforward. Compared with traditional wall panelling, this vastly reduces the time, cost and hassle involved when you want to panel your walls.
WoodWall – Order Our Acoustic Panels Online UK
Now you know everything there is to know about acoustic wall panels, all that’s left to do is order some to begin your project!
Shop acoustic panels for walls here at WoodWall, and discover our four available colour options. We’re based in Greater Manchester and deliver our products across the UK.
Need some help with your purchase? Please give us a call on 01925 640573 or fill out our contact form.
