Mobile walls
Wall claddings
Choosing an acoustic system is only half the battle. Sound absorption efficiency depends just as much on the product’s specifications as it does on the installation location and method. Installation errors—such as improper placement, an inappropriate mounting method, or neglecting critical areas—can reduce the actual NRC by as much as 30–40% compared to laboratory values.
This guide discusses the key principles for installing acoustic wall and ceiling panels in commercial spaces: offices, conference rooms, and hotels.
Before beginning installation, an acoustic analysis of the room is necessary. In a typical office space, the critical areas are:
If the same total panel area is concentrated on a single wall instead of being distributed evenly across all walls and the ceiling, the sound-absorption effect will be significantly weaker—some reflections will remain active on the unclad side of the room. The placement of the panels should be planned during the acoustic design phase and not left to the contractor to decide.
For Class A office building projects, it is recommended to perform an acoustic simulation (Odeon, EASE, or equivalent) before selecting and positioning the system. Optimal Poland provides BIM models for use in design software—available for download at bimobject.com/pl/optimalpoland.
A practical rule for open-plan offices: The panels should cover at least 25–35% of the total surface area of the walls and ceiling to achieve a T60 reverberation time of ≤ 0.6 s. In rooms with hard finishes (concrete, glass, stone), this proportion increases to 40–50%.
These values are approximate. Accurate calculations require taking into account the sound absorption coefficient αw or NRC of a specific product and the room geometry.
The choice of fastening method depends on three factors:
Most commonly used with lightweight felt, foam, and textile panels (20–50 mm thick, weighing up to 3 kg/m²). Available methods:
Acoustic ceiling panels can be installed in three ways:
Before installing ceiling panels, always check the load-bearing capacity of the suspension points with the structural engineer. Wooden and CPL panels can weigh 8–12 kg/m²—this is a significant load for a suspended ceiling.
A 50–100 mm gap between the panel and the wall or ceiling improves low-frequency absorption by as much as 10–15 dB in the 125–250 Hz range. The grid is made of aluminum or steel profiles. This solution is recommended for rooms with predominant bass reverberation—such as conference rooms with concrete ceilings and hard floors.
Regardless of the fastening method chosen, the substrate must meet several requirements:
In commercial buildings, acoustic panels are installed after the plumbing and electrical work is complete, but before furniture and movable fixtures are installed. Recommended order:
Acoustic panels installed in commercial buildings are subject to fire safety requirements (Regulation of the Minister of Infrastructure on the technical conditions to be met by buildings, Journal of Laws 2002, No. 75, item 690, as amended).
Key requirements for wall and ceiling finishes:
When designing hotel facilities and conference rooms, it is advisable to verify fire safety certifications with a fire safety expert during the system selection phase. Optimal Poland provides complete technical documentation and certifications for every system.
Practical experience shows that the effectiveness of acoustic panel systems is most often compromised by the following errors:
Optimal Poland’s acoustic panel systems have been installed in the following locations, among others:
See: Full portfolio of projects.
Effective installation of acoustic panels requires the right product, a precise layout plan, and careful execution. Each of these stages requires verification—both of the panels’ technical parameters (NRC, αw, fire rating) and of the condition of the substrate and the mounting method.
Optimal Poland offers technical support during the design phase and provides BIM models for design software, which allows for verification of the system’s layout prior to implementation.
Here are the answers to the questions that designers and contractors most frequently ask us when planning acoustic systems.
The choice of method depends on the weight of the panel and service requirements. Lightweight felt and fabric panels (up to 3 kg/m²) can be installed using construction adhesive. Heavier wood and CPL panels (over 5 kg/m²) require mechanical fastening: with anchors or rail systems. Track and hook systems are particularly recommended in facilities where future replacement or rotation of elements is anticipated.
The number of panels depends on the sound absorption coefficient (NRC or αw), the room volume, and the target T60 reverberation time. A practical rule of thumb for open-plan offices: panels should cover 25–35% of the total wall and ceiling area. In rooms with hard finishes, this proportion increases to 40–50%. Accurate calculations require an acoustic analysis that takes the geometry of the space into account.
Yes, ceiling panels are one of the most effective solutions, especially in rooms with a ceiling height of more than 3 m. They can be installed directly to the ceiling structure, on a support profile in suspended ceilings, or on steel cables in island configurations (baffles). Before installing ceiling panels, verify the load-bearing capacity of the suspension points with the structural engineer—wooden and CPL panels can weigh 8–12 kg/m².
In commercial facilities: yes. Polish regulations require that wall and ceiling finishes in escape routes and public spaces meet at least Class B-s1,d0 according to EN 13501-1. The manufacturer must provide a classification test report or a Declaration of Performance (DoP). This requirement applies to the panel, the adhesive, and the installation components as a system.
The panels are installed after the wet work (screeds, plastering, painting) and electrical installations are complete, but before the furniture is installed. This sequence ensures that the substrate remains intact and allows for the precise marking of installation zones. When renovating existing walls, it is necessary to prepare the substrate in advance: remove old layers of emulsion paint, fill in any defects, and apply a primer.
Yes, in the low-frequency range. A 50–100 mm gap between the panel and the wall or ceiling (spacer grid) can improve low-frequency absorption by 10–15 dB in the 125–250 Hz range. This is particularly important in rooms with predominant bass reverberation—such as conference rooms with concrete ceilings. For frequencies of 500 Hz and higher, the gap is less significant.
Optimal Poland offers technical support at every stage of the project—from system selection to final acceptance of the installation. If you are designing a space that requires acoustic panels, contact our technical department or download the BIM models directly into your project.
