If you’re looking for a stylish and cost-effective acoustic solution for your commercial or residential property, PET felt acoustic panels could be ideal. As a lightweight and moldable option that comes in a range of beautiful colors and shapes, I love suggesting PET felt for on-the-fly alterations or for someone who wants a really modern solution with designer appeal.
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In this article, I’ll give you the basics on what PET felt is and how it’s made. I’ll also discuss some benefits and misconceptions and share some of the best PET acoustic panel solutions for your property. In the end, you should have a good idea of whether PET acoustic panels are the right choice for you.
PET felt is an eco-friendly synthetic felt material made from post-consumer recycled bottles. It’s strong yet soft, lightweight, flexible, resilient, and can be easily formed into various shapes. It’s also incredibly durable and water-resistant, making it perfect for humid climates. It’s also available in a variety of vibrant colors, such as yellow, orange, green and purple.
Compared to traditional felt material, PET felt has the added benefit of being hypoallergenic, odor free, and non-toxic. It doesn’t require frequent cleaning or maintenance and is extremely easy to clean. Its open cellular structure also means it can be easily cut or shaped as needed (more on this in a minute). Overall, PET felt offers both environmental and functional benefits. It’s an excellent choice for a wide variety of applications, including as an acoustic solution.
How is PET felt made? Typically, plastic bottles are shredded into flakes. The flakes are then heated and melted, which can be done using either a hot air-forced drying method or a steam-heating system. Both processes require precise temperature control so that the PET flakes are heated uniformly. Once the flakes melt, they form a fibrous material which is then pressed and twisted into a felt-like fabric, aka PET felt.
A specialty dye is used to make the PET super colorful and vibrant. However, like all things that require dying, there can be slight color differences between pieces of PET felt. That’s why it’s best to order more than you need to get a more uniform color in case you need additional panels down the road. So, how does PET felt become acoustic panels? What makes it so good for acoustics?
I love explaining this stuff, so let’s talk physics, shall we? Sound waves can’t be stopped, but they can be absorbed, reflected, and refracted, depending on the material the sound wave is passing through. Additionally, the speed of sound waves can be affected by things like density, temperature, and friction. As a result, sound-absorbing materials can help to reduce the amplitude (volume) of the sound.
PET felt is a porous material that affects sound waves in a unique way. It essentially creates a tortured path where heat is a byproduct of friction. When sound waves go through a porous substance like PET felt, the wave hits the fibers and bounces between the little air spaces between those fibers. It’s like an arrow going through a hay bale. The fibers and air pockets absorb and reflect the sound waves and slows them down incrementally.
In terms of absorption strength, fiberglass is one of the most effective materials available. Interestingly, PET felt can absorb sound as well as fiberglass when comparing a one-inch thick piece of both. However, PET felt products are typically produced at a thinner thickness and more dense. As a result, many people think it isn’t as effective. It is true that the denser something is, the less sound it’s going to absorb.
If you are using a 9mm PET felt product, you can enhance its ability to absorb sound by putting an air gap or spacing it further from a wall to improve its dynamic performance. In other words, air pockets and positioning help PET felt maintain its aesthetically appealing appearance and acoustic properties. It’s all about the laws of physics!
There are several benefits to choosing PET felt acoustic panels. Here are some of the top benefits:
PET felt is incredibly durable and impact resistant, which makes it ideal for areas that might endure extra wear and tear.
It’s simple to cut PET felt acoustic panels in the field, to size, making installation a breeze. Just use a heat gun or hairdryer on a low setting to shrink and melt the frayed fibers back into place.
You can utilize PET felt in higher humidity areas because it’s made of plastic.
Premium PET felt acoustic panels have incredible color options and shapes which allows you to optimize your creativity
You can cut PET felt right in the field and melt the edges back flat. For lower-cost panels, simply screw or adhere the panels to the walls. Alternatively, you can use a premium option (like the PolyPhon™ Polyester Acoustic Panels) with a hidden attachment panel in the back.
PET felt is partially made from recycled fiber, making it an eco-friendly option for acoustical solutions.
There are many types of PET felt acoustic panels on the market. The best solution will depend on your needs, goals, and budget. However, you want to be sure to go with a high-quality manufacturer like Acoustical Solutions.
Here are some of our best PET acoustic panels to consider for your project:
This cost-effective product comes in white and beige. PolyPhon™ Polyester Acoustic Panels are fire-resistant and easy to assemble, and their sound absorption ratings make them ideal for many applications. The panels’ acoustic properties block unwanted noise from transmitting from one side to the other and absorb low to mid-range frequencies. Customers typically order large quantities, and it’s common in projects requiring higher impact resistance where aesthetics isn’t a core requirement.
AlphaSorb® Designer Premium Acoustic Felt Wall Panels provide acoustic treatment without compromising aesthetics, thanks to their stylish design. With colors to suit any decor, these panels are easy to install and are the perfect solution to reducing noise levels in any space. They’re made from 100%-PET plastic from recycled bottles and are 100%-recyclable, as well as being fire-rated, environmentally responsible, and easy to maintain with a long-lasting lifespan. This material is also eligible for LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) MRc4 credits.
Constructed with the highest quality materials, AlphaSorb® Designer Premium Acoustic Felt Hexagon Wall Panels feature a unique hexagonal design that adds an elegant, modern touch to any room. The panel easily attaches to any wall and can be moved for easy repositioning when needed. With its contoured shape, this acoustic wall panel will look great and provide optimal reverberation control.
AlphaSorb® Designer Premium Acoustic Felt Drop Ceiling Tiles provide superior sound absorption and acoustic comfort to any space. Crafted with a unique diamond-shaped pattern, these durable and high-quality tiles are perfect for any commercial or residential setting. These ceiling tiles use the physics principles we talked about above. As a result, the acoustic properties maximize when you leave extra space and air around the PET felt panels.
AlphaSorb® Designer Premium Acoustic Felt Ceiling Baffles add a contemporary look and feel to your walls. They provide superior sound absorption with their noise-dampening features, perfect for creating quiet areas in any environment. In addition, these baffles come in an array of colors and styles, which allows you to make your space look stylish and elegant. With an easy installation process and coverage of up to 24 square feet, these are ideal for covering a lot of space.
Our recycled AlphaSorb® Designer Premium Acoustic Felt Ceiling Clouds provide optimal solutions for sound absorption and aesthetics that are both practical and stylish. These multi-dimensional pieces are an excellent way to upgrade any space with color, texture and shape. Through careful engineering, our felt clouds offer excellent acoustical benefits while also adding visual appeal to modern and contemporary interior designs.
Crafted with 100%-recycled PET plastic, these clouds are an eco-friendly option with high acoustic performance, making them perfect for open-plan offices, restaurants, and home theaters. They’re also designed to include an air cavity for maximum performance.
Five shapes, five colors–choose your favorite combination to customize your wall design! Installation is a cinch, simply peel and stick with the one-inch double-sided tape pre-applied to each panel. With the AlphaSorb® Series 200 Polyester Acoustic Panels, you can give any wall a beautiful, personal touch.
In short, PET felt acoustic panels are an excellent choice for a cost-effective acoustic solution. Both decorative and eco-friendly, they’re a perfect option for adding style and improving the acoustics of your space. Their numerous benefits will allow you to enjoy a beautiful, sleek, and virtually soundproof environment in any area.
Ready to get started with PET felt acoustic panels? Contact us today!
It is easy to confuse soundproofing and sound dampening as the same concept. The two concepts sound similar and are closely related, but they're no...
It is easy to confuse soundproofing and sound dampening as the same concept. The two concepts sound similar and are closely related, but they're not the same thing. Essentially, soundproofing a room means sound can’t effectively penetrate the exterior walls, while sound dampening is the process by which you can reduce the vibration of an object by applying a sound-dampening material over it. Rugs, carpets, foam, and sound-dampening felt can all dampen sound and soundproof a room, though there is a lot more that goes into it, which we'll get into below.
How Does Sound Dampening Work?
Sound dampening, which is also sometimes referred to as sound deadening, happens when you remove vibration energy from a structure or system by changing the sources producing the vibration. For example, you have a concrete wall in your home, and you line it with felt. Lining the wall in your room with felt reduces the wall’s vibrational frequency, thereby dampening or deadening, sound within the room.
Materials vibrate differently according to their physical properties, and they have natural frequencies and vibration frequencies. A material’s natural frequency is how fast it vibrates when there is no outside force acting on it. Its vibrational frequency is how quickly it vibrates when an external force acts on it.
When a material’s vibration frequency is equivalent to its natural frequency, it produces amplification. Amplification makes vibrations more grating and jarring while increasing their loudness. Adding materials that reduce vibration frequencies minimizes the vibration of a system and its components. Sound-dampening panels like those from Felt Right result in less harsh noise, preventing you from bothering or distracting neighbors and roommates.
A material’s sound-dampening ability relates directly to its NRC (noise reduction coefficient). The noise reduction coefficient measures a material’s “bounce back” ability. Materials with lower dampening qualities produce more bounce back, i.e. your drywall or concrete walls. Materials with higher dampening qualities make a lower bounce-back rate, which reduces unwanted vibrations and lowers sound.
Did You Know: Felt Right tiles have a noise reduction coefficient of .35, meaning they reduce noise by 35%. As a reference, carpet laid over concrete provides an NRC of .20 - .30, and concrete by itself provides an NRC of .00 - .20. Additionally, Felt Right’s stylish design lets you reduce bounce back within your room while adding to its visual appeal.
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How Does Sound Absorption Work?
Sound dampening reduces materials’ vibrations and amplification. Sound absorption explains the materials’ ability to absorb sound waves rather than deflect them back into the room.
When sound waves strike a surface, some pass through the surface, while others don’t. Harder materials with less porous surfaces produce a higher sound reflection, while softer, more porous surfaces absorb more sound. When you line harder, less absorbent surfaces with softer, more porous materials, you decrease your room’s echoes and, thus, its reverberating sound.
Sound-absorbing materials help keep harsh sounds out of your home, such as:
Heavy machinery
Engines
Power tools
Generators
How Does Soundproofing Work?
Soundproofing refers to blocking sound with insulator materials that stop sounds from entering or leaving a room. These materials are solid and heavy because they must be dense enough to physically block sound and keep it in an enclosed space.
Soundproofing materials need to be installed inside walls because they need to create a sound barrier between two rooms. Creating a complete separation between the walls prevents sound from leaving one room and entering the other.
Because they need to be installed inside walls, and the materials are dense and cumbersome, they are not ideal for general noise reduction. You shouldn’t need to knock out walls to reduce the noise inside your apartment.
The downside of soundproofing is that it requires a complex procedure to accomplish, making it unattainable for everyone except professionals. For example, in recording studios, engineers may have to construct metal frameworks with multiple plasterboard layers to soundproof a wall and prevent noise from escaping the room.
Sound-Dampening Benefits of Acoustic Paneling
There are many benefits to sound-dampening panels, including easy installation processes, increased privacy, and a more comfortable environment for better entertainment.
Easy Installation
Felt Right’s acoustic panels combine creativity and functionality in one flawless design. Our “My Studio” page allows the user to customize their felt acoustic paneling to their desire, improving your room’s acoustic properties without the hassle of invasive installation techniques.
Increased Privacy
Whether you like to entertain, are working remotely, or have loud roommates, you might not like the thought of your neighbors eavesdropping on your conversations or complaining about the noise you make within the privacy of your home.
We all enjoy privacy, and Felt Right’s acoustic paneling ensures you never have to share what happens inside your home again. Echoes within your house or apartment might carry conversations over to your neighbors or make your entertainment system seem louder than it is. Acoustic deadening materials absorb your voices and entertainment so you can preserve your home’s privacy.
More Comfort
Comfort typically implies physical relaxation on the couch or a bed. Felt Right’s acoustic damping material won’t provide you with the same type of comfort as your bed, but it will undoubtedly create a more peaceful environment for your ears and mental state.
When focusing on work, the last thing you want to deal with is hearing your neighbor’s loud conversation or their music. Felt Right’s noise reduction wall panels reduce unwanted noise, so you don’t feel irritated or distracted.
Better Entertainment
You shouldn’t have to invest thousands of dollars into your home entertainment system to enjoy its capabilities. With the correct Felt Right acoustic paneling, you can get the most out of your entertainment system. You won’t need surround sound to hear every word of dialogue and feel immersed in the cinematic experience.
The Benefits of Using Felt as a Sound Dampening/Sound Absorbing Material
Mostly comprised of wool, felt is produced by pressing and matting fibers together. It is a very durable and stable material in response to moisture, greases, salts, detergents, and other chemicals. Additionally, its millions of fibers make it exceptionally resilient.
Felt is an ideal option for sound absorption because its millions of fibers create frictional energy that dissipates sound energy. Felt also has a high density and elasticity, which further demonstrates its effectiveness at reducing sound.
The Different Applications of Soundproofing Vs. Sound Dampening
Choosing how to approach your noise reduction solution depends on your situation. Soundproofing can be the only realistic solution if you’re a musician who needs complete sound isolation. Aside from musicians, YouTubers, streamers, and voice-over actors are other professions where sound integrity is non-negotiable.
On the other hand, soundproofing methods can be invasive and expensive, often requiring steep construction budgets that significantly change your home. Sound-dampening materials accomplish noise reduction on a scalable basis, allowing you to fully customize your designs without compromising your bank account or personal taste.
Create Your Customized Felt Right Sound Dampening Design Today
Felt Right’s felt wall tiles aren’t only useful for sound dampening and noise reduction because your felt panels can give you a new creative outlet while eliminating noise from your neighbors. Plus, your felt pin board can act as a more durable, more attractive bulletin board, allowing you to strategize while reducing unwanted sounds. Visit our My Design page today to start constructing your sound-dampening acoustic design.
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