4 Types of Sound Absorbent Materials That Can Be Used in Schools

Children are very important and they hold the future of the world in their hands. But they are also known to make a lot of noise. Learning is hard enough for students and teachers. However, it gets even worse when loud noise causes everyone to be unable to concentrate. The World Health Organization (WHO) has found that too much noise reduces children’s learning efficiency. Therefore, we need to use and install some sound-absorbing materials to reduce noise in schools.

Placing sound-absorbing materials in schools can reduce background noise. This can make the classroom the best place to learn. Therefore, this helps students to calm down and learn better. We will discuss the best sound-absorbing materials for schools, cafeterias, and other public areas.

Low to No Maintenance Interior Acoustic Panels

In a world filled with noise, acoustic panels emerge as the elegant solution to create serene environments.

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Distinguish Between Soundproofing and Sound Absorption

It is important to note that soundproofing and sound absorption are not the same. If you missed your school’s instruction on acoustical materials, or if your school didn’t cover the topic at all. Then read the following:

• Acoustic Insulation: soundproofing materials completely block sound and are usually used in the construction of buildings. Examples include school theaters, fabrication shops, or other places that make intense noise. The materials used in the construction of these places usually block the noise. So even if it’s very noisy inside, you can’t hear anything outside.
• Sound Absorption: As the name suggests, these materials reduce noise by absorbing sound. Sound-absorbing materials usually come in many forms and sizes. Most often, however, they are installed on the outside of the building frame rather than embedded in the floor and walls. Noise-reducing partitions between classrooms are a good example of the application of sound-absorbing materials.

Since most schools will not rebuild or remove walls to address noise issues. Therefore we need to look for materials that absorb sound. Next, we will discuss the best sound-absorbing materials for inside school campuses and classrooms.

Acoustical Wall Panels

The average noise level inside a classroom is about 76 decibels (dB). This is consistent with the noise level when operating a vacuum cleaner or enjoying a classical music performance in a small theater.

However, this noise will not be confined to the interior. Anyone who has visited a poorly soundproofed school can confirm this. Fortunately, even the walls inside a school are not effective at blocking out noise. Then there are other measures we can take to reduce the noise.

Installing acoustic panels on the walls is an effective way to reduce noise. Adding wood acoustic foam and polyester panels to walls can increase the noise reduction coefficient (NRC). The Noise Reduction Coefficient (NRC) indicates the ability of sound-absorbing materials to absorb sound. The Sound Transmission Coefficient (STC) indicates the ability to prevent sound from penetrating.

Installation Instructions for Acoustical Panels

Whichever acoustic wall panels you choose, they need to be installed in a similar way:

1. In order to plan the installation of acoustic panels, you need to measure the walls and the items on the walls. When it comes to sound absorption, covering the volume is more important than covering the entire wall.
2. Prepare your tools and materials and cut all the pieces to the right size.
3. Choose how you want to attach the regular acoustic panels or acoustic foam panels to the wall. Most can be secured with clips or adhesive.
4. Attach the first panel first, then line up the rest of the panels to create a tight pattern or to cover the entire wall.

The type of acoustic panel you choose may depend on the size, noise level, and style of the room. For classrooms, aesthetics are equally important. Examples include polyester acoustic panels or fabric-covered fiberglass. These acoustic panels block noise and improve the aesthetics of the room.

For larger spaces such as cafeterias and auditoriums, there are other options. These spaces focus more on coverage and sound absorption than on appearance. Therefore, both compressed polyester and acoustic cotton are good choices for larger rooms with a lot of wall space to cover.

Acoustic Ceilings

Noise can travel in any direction, even upwards. Therefore, when noise hits the ceiling, there needs to be something to absorb the noise as well. This will prevent the noise from bouncing back and forth between the floor and the ceiling.

Fortunately, many schools have installed suspended ceilings. Suspended ceilings are made of lightweight tiles suspended from the building frame, which dampens rising sound. However, it is unfortunate that many schools still use the same suspended ceilings that were installed when projectors became commonplace.

Since then, technology has made huge leaps forward, and not just electronics. Now, you can choose from a number of different types of suspended ceilings to quiet your school:

• Fiberglass Ceilings: If a school misses the standard model ceiling, rest assured that this style is still available. And it’s much better than the original 1950s style. Modern top-of-the-line fiberglass ceilings have NRC ratings of up to 0.95. This means they can significantly reduce noise levels in noisy rooms.
• Smooth Metal Squares: This cutting-edge design can give your ceiling a more sophisticated, modern look. Since the color and design of these acoustic panels can be changed. It is therefore easy to match the current style of your school.
• High-performance Acoustic Panels: If eliminating noise is the most important thing, then choosing efficient acoustic panels will eliminate it. It also adapts to the normal ceiling grid.

A good acoustic ceiling can go a long way in preventing noise from reverberating in the room. Moreover, it will be even more effective if it is paired with some additional sound-absorbing materials.

Hanging Banners, Clouds and Baffles

Suspended ceilings aren’t the only thing that can quiet overactive students. There are many things that can be hung from the ceilings of movie theaters, gyms, and other venues to make them quieter.

You can also hang baffles, clouds, and banners that absorb and filter sound. They reduce noise and make speech easier to understand. With the right tools, they are easy to install. In addition, they can be quickly moved and reinstalled for performances or speeches.

• Ceiling Clouds: These almost realistic cloud shapes are imaginative and perfect for schools. This is because they are very good at reducing reverberation and look very aesthetically pleasing.
• Acoustic Baffles: These baffles are hung in rows on the roof to disperse rising sound waves. The materials in the Acoustic Baffles range are very lightweight, which makes them perfect for the job. This is because you don’t have to worry about them falling or putting too much stress on the structure.
• Acoustic Banners: Acoustic banners work in a similar way to baffles, breaking up sound waves and reducing noise. But they add a unique look to a room. Especially if they match the school team’s colors.

Outdoor Sound Absorbing Materials

The loud noises made during tennis matches and the sound of basketballs bouncing around can be very annoying over time. Fortunately, unless you’re standing on the court, you can’t hear these sounds at all.

Acoustic curtains have a fiberglass core that blocks sound and a soft padded outer layer that absorbs it. Since they resist UV rays and cushion hard surfaces. This makes them perfect for outdoor courts and pitches that need durability. Even better, they are very easy to install. All you need to do is hang the acoustic curtains so that they cover the fence as much as possible.

Acoustic curtains have holes on both sides, making it easy to hang them on any wall. In addition, they are perfect for use on a basketball court. All you need to do is add a few small hooks and they can be used anywhere on campus to insulate against noise.

Although acoustic curtains are meant for outdoor use. But they can also be hung in offices, schools, gymnasiums, auditoriums, and anywhere they are needed. They are also easy to disassemble and move to another location if you want a more permanent way to insulate against noise.

Summary

While these are the best ways to reduce noise on campus, they are by no means exhaustive. You can consult with an acoustician, as there are many ways to reduce noise in a space. If you need help identifying a more long-term solution, please contact us.

Schools can be made quieter with acoustic panel materials from COOWIN. Additionally, our acoustic panels offer excellent decorative effects. They can make your classrooms and cafeterias more beautiful and comfortable.

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