Sound Absorbing & Soundproofing Panels

Every hard surface in a room reflects sound. Those reflections stack on top of the original sound, and the room gets louder, harsher and more tiring to be in. Sound-absorbing panels are made from open, porous materials that let sound waves in and convert that energy into a tiny amount of heat instead of sending it back at you. The result is less echo, less reverberation and much clearer speech.

Luckily for you, we sell them. Sound-absorbing panels, foam, boards, batts and blankets, the whole lot!

Absorbing sound is not the same as blocking it

This is the one thing worth getting right before you spend any money. Sound absorbers improve the sound inside a room. Sound barriers stop sound travelling between rooms, or coming in from outside.

If your problem is echo, harshness or a room that simply feels loud, you want absorbers. If your problem is the neighbour’s dog, traffic noise or the TV in the next room, you want sound barriers, and usually both working together.

Where sound absorbers are most useful

These are the spaces we help quieten down every week:

• Home theatres, media rooms and recording studios
• Offices, open plan workspaces and meeting rooms
• Restaurants, cafes, bars and function rooms
• Classrooms, childcare centres, churches and halls
• Gyms, dance studios and music practice rooms
• Workshops, sheds, factories and plant rooms
• Server rooms, generator enclosures and pool pump housings
• Apartments, townhouses and home offices

Sound absorber FAQs

Do acoustic panels actually work?
Yes, for the job they are built for. Panels absorb sound within a room, which reduces echo and reverberation and makes speech clearer. They will not stop sound coming through a wall from next door. If that is the problem you are solving, you need a sound barrier such as mass loaded vinyl or an acoustic board, and we stock those too.

How do I reduce echo in a room?
Add soft, porous surfaces to the hard ones. Start with the largest untreated wall and the ceiling, since those are the biggest reflectors. Rugs, curtains and soft furnishings all help, but purpose-built absorbers do far more per square metre. In most homes and offices, covering 15 to 25 per cent of the hard surface area makes an obvious difference.

What is an NRC rating?
Noise Reduction Coefficient is a single number from 0 to 1 that describes how much sound a material absorbs. A rating of 0 reflects everything, and a rating of 1 absorbs everything. Fibertex carries an NRC of 1. When you are comparing panels, NRC is the fastest way to compare like for like.

How do I install sound absorbing wall panels?
Most of our panels are installed with construction adhesive, double sided tape or mechanical fixings straight onto the wall. Foam and blanket products can be cut to size on site with a sharp blade or a fine tooth saw. Batts and boards go into wall and ceiling cavities during construction or renovation. Every product page carries an Installation Tips tab, and we are happy to walk you through it over the phone.

Can sound absorbers be used outdoors?
Some can. Our Outback Acoustic Panels and Hushtec Performance Series are UV and weather rated for fences, enclosures and construction sites. Indoor foam and batt products are not suitable for outdoor use. Have a look at our outdoor soundproofing range for anything exposed to the weather.