Quick answer: The right acoustic panel depends on the space. Use fabric-wrapped wall panels in offices and classrooms, ceiling rafts and baffles where wall space is limited, and timber-slat or printed panels where appearance matters. Most real-world projects combine two or three panel types to control the full range of frequencies, from voices to low-frequency hum.
Acoustic treatment is not one product. It is a set of solutions matched to a room's dimensions, surfaces and noise problem. This guide explains the main acoustic panel types, the environments each suits, and how to combine them, so you can specify with confidence.
Browse the full acoustic panels and sound-absorbing solutions range, or call the team on 01382 913 913 for a free acoustic assessment.
How to choose acoustic panels: the three questions that matter
Before looking at specific products, answer three questions about your space:
- What is the noise problem? Speech intelligibility and echo (mid-to-high frequency) need different treatment from mechanical hum or music (low frequency).
- Where is the available surface? Rooms with glazed or full walls often have to use the ceiling, which points you towards rafts and baffles rather than wall panels.
- How much does appearance matter? A recording booth can use plain foam; a corporate reception or restaurant needs panels that double as design features.
Acoustic panel types and where each works best
Fabric-wrapped wall panels
Best for: offices, meeting rooms, classrooms. These absorb mid-to-high frequency sound (the range of human speech) and can be specified in almost any colour, so they suit settings where appearance matters as much as performance. The Zen Acoustic Pin Boards combine this absorption with a pinnable display surface, making them a strong dual-purpose choice for classrooms and team areas.
Ceiling rafts and baffles
Best for: open-plan offices, gymnasiums, atria and any room with limited or glazed wall space. Suspended from the ceiling, they treat large open areas without using a single wall. Horizontal Zen Raft clouds sit parallel to the ceiling, while vertical Zen Baffle fins maximise absorptive surface area in tall or industrial spaces. The lightweight Zen Light Raft and Zen Light Baffle are designed for easier suspension where ceiling loading is a concern.
Timber-slat and decorative panels
Best for: receptions, boardrooms, hospitality and high-end retail. The Zen Timber Slat panel diffuses and absorbs sound while adding warmth, suiting spaces where the acoustic treatment should read as a design feature rather than a functional fix. Printed Zen Photo panels let you carry branding or artwork across an absorptive surface.
Foam panels and bass traps
Best for: recording studios, home theatres, podcast rooms and music practice rooms. Foam panels give precise, cost-effective control of high-frequency reflections, while bass traps placed in room corners absorb the low frequencies that other panels miss. These are the right choice where accurate sound reproduction matters more than appearance.
Diffuser panels
Best for: lecture halls, music rooms and studios. Rather than absorbing sound, diffusers scatter it, reducing echo and flutter without making a room sound dead. They are often used alongside absorptive panels to keep a space lively but controlled.
Movable acoustic partitions
Best for: flexible workspaces, multipurpose rooms and education facilities. These reconfigure a space while providing acoustic separation, suiting environments that change use through the day.
Treating a space: it is usually a combination
Effective acoustic treatment rarely relies on one product. A typical open-plan office might pair ceiling rafts (to bring down overall reverberation) with fabric-wrapped wall panels (to control speech between desks). A school hall could combine wall panels with baffles to meet BB93 reverberation targets. The starting point is always the room: its size, its hard surfaces and the specific noise it suffers from.
Presentation Spaces offers a free acoustic assessment that measures your space and recommends a tailored combination, followed by expert installation and a post-installation check that the treatment meets its target.
Frequently asked questions about acoustic panels
What is the best acoustic panel for an office?
For most offices, fabric-wrapped wall panels are the best starting point because they absorb the speech-frequency sound that causes distraction, and they can be colour-matched to the interior. In open-plan offices with limited wall space, ceiling rafts or baffles are often more effective, as they treat a large floor area from above. Many offices use both.
Do acoustic panels actually reduce noise, or just echo?
Acoustic panels primarily reduce reverberation (echo) by absorbing sound that would otherwise bounce off hard surfaces. This makes speech clearer and a room feel calmer. They do not block sound passing through a wall, which requires soundproofing (added mass and isolation) rather than absorption. For most offices, classrooms and restaurants, echo control is the problem that needs solving.
How many acoustic panels do I need?
As a rough guide, treating 15 to 20 percent of a room's total surface area delivers a noticeable improvement in most settings, with more required for rooms with very hard surfaces or specific reverberation targets such as BB93 in schools. The exact quantity depends on room volume and use, which is why a measured acoustic assessment is the most reliable way to specify.
What is the difference between a ceiling raft and a ceiling baffle?
A ceiling raft (or cloud) is mounted horizontally, parallel to the ceiling, presenting its face downward into the room. A baffle is mounted vertically, hanging down like a fin, which exposes both sides to sound and maximises absorptive area in tall spaces. Rafts suit standard-height offices and meeting rooms; baffles suit high-ceilinged or industrial spaces.
Are acoustic panels suitable for schools and BB93 compliance?
Yes. Acoustic panels are central to meeting Building Bulletin 93 (BB93) reverberation requirements in UK schools. A combination of wall panels and ceiling treatment is typically specified to bring classroom and hall reverberation times within the standard. We can advise on a compliant specification for new-build or refurbishment projects.
Can acoustic panels look good as well as work?
Yes. Fabric-wrapped panels come in a wide colour range, timber-slat panels add a natural design feature, and printed panels can carry artwork or branding. Acoustic treatment no longer means visible grey foam: most modern panels are specified to enhance an interior, not compromise it.
Ready to specify the right acoustic solution?
Browse the full acoustic solutions range or contact Presentation Spaces for a free acoustic assessment and a tailored recommendation. Call 01382 913 913 or email info@presentationspaces.co.uk.
