Articles

Acoustic Fabric Panels: A Balance of Beauty and Function

by Gerald Hynes Sontext Business owner

A popular option to fill a theater or a hall is to use acoustic fabric panels. Not only do they look appealing but contribute to improving the overall sound in a room. There are certain key factors to consider before choosing the right fabric for your paneling.

 Fabric Transparency and Functionality

The fabric must not absorb all sounds completely. It needs to allow sound to pass through directly into the panel behind it. Acoustically transparent fabric is necessary to enhance the sound quality in a room. Backed fibers use paper or acrylic liners and are normally used in direct wall coverings. This can prevent sound transfer and more importantly they do not stretch well. The best kind of acoustic fabric panel is the ‘unbacked’ one which is both visibly and acoustically transparent. The fabrics chosen should not have too much of an open weave and must definitely be breathable. Not all fabrics are conducive to being used for paneling. Polyester works well on more vertical surfaces while nylon and viscose retain too much moisture. In humid places, this can cause the fabric panels to sag and lose form. Natural fibers such as cotton and wool can stretch when moisture content in the air gets high. Hydrophobic fibers are brilliant because they remain tight and stable in all conditions.

Fabric Aesthetics and Flammability

With advancements in technology and research, more and more architects and designers are realizing the important role of using the right fabric to create a balanced sound. Most acoustic fabric panels are primarily used to add to the aesthetic design of a room. Not only do they become the focus of the room interiors but they define the design feature of any architectural building. They are available in different prints, colors, designs and thickness. The design is complemented by elegance and a fine finish. Another important factor that must be considered is flammability. The fabric must pass certain standard tests to determine how much smoke a fabric generates when it is burning. The tests also measure the size of the flames and how quickly the fabric burns. It can be quite dangerous to have smoke and fire spreading quickly in a room full of people. Most fabric panels are built to last and to perform with the highest level of acoustic performance.

Acoustic fabric panels are very popular because they are both decorative and functional. Not only are they durable, they look fantastic and provide a great noise control solution.


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About Gerald Hynes Sontext Freshman   Business owner

6 connections, 0 recommendations, 23 honor points.
Joined APSense since, August 26th, 2013, From Victoria, Australia.

Created on Feb 27th 2019 03:32. Viewed 502 times.

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