Make Your Own Sound Absorption Panels

Tips for making absorption panels
Do you want to make an absorption panel by yourself? Read our tips here! This approach may be easier than selecting a product that appeals to you. Choosing an absorbent product can be compared with selecting curtains or carpets. You are looking for something that fits the interior. There are products in our webshop that perfectly fit in a certain interior such as the Silent Office, and Flamex series. Great colours and shapes that not only improve the acoustics but also nicely dress up the room. But just like with curtains and carpet, there is no accounting for taste. In this article you will read how you can make your own absorption panels that are both attractive and contain excellent absorption values, according to your own taste and ideas.

Step 1: The frame
The thicker you make the frame, the more acoustic filling you can use and the better the absorption value of the panel will be. The frame can be made from four MDF L-profiles, available at qualitative hardware stores. Please take into account the various Akotherm thicknesses and density types when purchasing the profiles.

Preferably, cut the profiles at an angle of 45º for a mitre joint, screw the profiles together at the ends using (steel) connection profiles. Drill holes in the connection profiles for the attachment of chains or mounting cables. These profiles also ensure a strengthening of the frame.

Step 2: Acoustic filling
The filling you can use is Akotherm, we recommend using type D40. The thickness of the material determines the thickness of the panel. The thicker the material, the better the absorption value. A thickness of 40 mm has the most favourable ratio between cost and absorption values. Order enough so that you can fill the entire panel with Akotherm. Cut the material to size with a sharp knife or an (electric) bread knife. Akotherm D40 is a firmer plate than Akotherm Basic, and has a slightly higher absorption value as well. (The letter D stands for density 40 kilograms per cubic metre).

If you prefer a thinner panel on the wall, you can also use Flamex Basic as an acoustic filling. This product is available in the thicknesses 15, 25, 40 and 50 mm.

Step 3: Textile type
As for covering the frame, use a textile that is as thin as possible, since it allows more air to pass through and therewith sound. The thicker and denser the fabric, the lower the absorption value!

In case of thin textiles, pay attention to translucency and the visibility of the underlying absorption material and/or frame. Painting the frame in the same colour as the textile reduces this. Examples of textile types are cheesecloth, linen, polyester or trevira. Canvas, the material on which photos are printed as well, is too dense in terms of structure and placing an acoustic material behind it will therefore make little difference.

In order to cover the frame with textile, stretch the cloth on one side of the frame and staple it. Then stretch the cloth on the opposite side and staple it here as well. Make sure that the cloth doesn't fold and is evenly stretched across the entire frame. Staple the other two sides in the same way. After the cloth is stapled to the back of the frame, you can crop it.

Step 4: Assembly
The final step is to hang the absorption panel. The cables used in the example are adjustable in length and equipped with a hook on one side and a screw on the other. One side of the cable system can be mounted onto the frame, the other side with the hook onto the ceiling. Connect a mounting eyelet to the ceiling and hang the panel on it.

Would you like personal advice? 
Please contact us, we will be happy to answer your questions as soon as possible.