Building a Business Brick by Brick

Essential Considerations When Buying an Acoustic Fabric

Acoustic panels are often necessary for today's environment because of noise pollution. Whether it is in an office, a house or a school's auditorium, acoustic panels play an integral role in dampening noise. Although it is not mandatory, it is advisable to cover acoustic panels with fabric. However, your choice of material must be well-thought-out. Do not be guided solely by the aesthetics that an acoustic material offers but by how it can help an acoustic panel to accomplish its sound-dampening function. This article highlights critical attributes you should look for in an acoustic fabric. Keep reading for more information.

Acoustically Transparent -- One of the first things you should be looking for in an acoustic fabric is transparency. It is essential to understand that a transparent acoustic fabric is not a sound-absorbing material. The fabric allows sound waves to pass through, enhancing the performance of acoustic panels. If you buy a sound-absorbing fabric, you will not get optimal results from an acoustic panel. It is because sound-absorbing fabrics prevent sound waves from reaching an acoustic panel. Therefore, when buying a material to cover the panels, ask for one that is acoustically transparent and does not absorb sound readily.

Fabric Textile Content -- Different acoustic fabrics are made of varying materials, ranging from polyester and polypropylene to nylon. However, the material you choose depends on the conditions of the environment. For instance, nylon is a poor acoustic fabric when installing acoustic panelling on a vertical wall. The reason why is that nylon absorbs moisture readily and will begin to sag as water levels increase. Under the same conditions, polyester acoustic fabrics would hold their own in vertically installed panelling. If you know little about the different acoustic fabrics' textile properties, you can get help from an expert.

Flammability -- Most people do not know that acoustic fabrics must pass a flame test before approval. A flame test is particularly crucial if an acoustic fabric will be used in a room that holds many people, such as an auditorium. The reason is that materials burn and produce smoke differently, which can harm the occupants' health. For this reason, it is vital to understand how much flame and smoke a fabric produces and how fast it burns. For instance, fabrics used to cover acoustic panelling in small rooms such as classrooms should burn as slowly as possible to prevent smoke poisoning.

To learn more, contact a resource that carries acoustic panelling products.


Share