The more you learn about acoustic office panels, the better you can help your clients cut out the noise. Acoustic panels education and training can also give you an edge over competitors. Whether you are self-employed or part of a contracting team, take it upon yourself to learn all you can about installation and other aspects of the job.

Many different commercial acoustic soundproofing panels and applications exist. Educate yourself to find out what the client really needs in soundproofing the home or business so you can select the right product. Showing your commitment to lifelong learning may help you advance or send your contracting business to new heights.

Consider the following for your educational needs:

1. Find information on how the thickness of acoustic foam panels affects soundproofing quality. You'll want to think not only of blocking the sound but absorbing it as well.

2. Determine whether sound absorption needs differ in working with residential acoustic panels compared to commercial applications. What works best in each setting?

3. Learn more about portable acoustic panels or screens that can be used for office settings in which cubicles are used.

Action Steps
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Get information about the science of sound and soundproofing with custom acoustic panels

As an acoustical contractor, you will benefit from learning not only about acoustical panel products but also about sound itself. Learning more about sound absorption, noise criteria, and how the ears relay sound can be a benefit in understanding how the panel works.

I recommend: Get a reverberation demonstration and an online tutorial on acoustics from Acoustical Solutions. ArticlesBase.com provides additional information on soundproofing techniques, including acoustical panels.

Acquire a contractor's license to install acoustic wall panels

To get your career started as an acoustical panel contractor, you'll want to take the appropriate steps to become licensed in your state. Some state regulations call for a fee and application, while others expect you to pass an exam as well. In other words, you may need to learn more about acoustic panels just to get your license. Make sure you're aware of all requirements.

I recommend: In Arizona, for instance, acoustical systems fall under specialty residential contracting licenses under the Arizona Registrar of Contractors. If you do business in California, check out the license course education via Contractors License of California. Use a search engine such as Google to find contractor requirements for your own state.

Provide services that go beyond DIY acoustic panels installation

Although some homeowners or business owners may attempt to install acoustic panels themselves, you can sell quality, professional workmanship with your services. Proper installation will not only provide the best soundproofing your clients demand but will also take into account the aesthetics.

I recommend: Order the technical manual "Acoustical Ceilings Use & Practice" from the Ceilings & Interior Systems Construction Association. Check out the seminars available from Meyer Sound Laboratories.

Acoustic panels may bring to mind visions of your childhood friend's drop ceiling in his basement or those terrible carpeted panels your grade school teacher would pull out to divide the class. But acoustic panels have come a long way, and now you don't have to sacrifice looks for the sounds of silence.

Whether you need acoustic panels for your sound studio, classroom or conference room, your possibilities are endless. Though you may be looking for peace and quiet, what you're about to see will show that acoustic panels can be something to get excited about. By approaching the purchase of acoustic panels with function and style in mind, you'll be able to:

1. Determine what kind of acoustic panel is the perfect fit.

2. Integrate acoustic panels as part of your design.

3. Make do-it-yourself acoustic panels.

4. Use the do-it-yourself section to help determine perfect placement to get the best sound absorbency out of your acoustic panels.

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Keep down the noise in your office with acoustic panels without muffling style

Even the most basic acoustic wall panels are being made with a designer's eye these days and savvy sellers are working in design tips to make what used to be boring beautiful. Retailers will make custom acoustic panels, permanent or even portable acoustic panels.

I recommend: Soft Sound Acoustic Panels will not only help you decide which kind of sound proof acoustic foam panels will help meet your needs, but they'll also show you how to work them into a room so they are there as a design element and don't stick out like a sore thumb. GIK Acoustics has room sets that are ready to go and custom wood stands that will help you make your panels free standing.

Explore acoustic panels as art

Some modern acoustic panels have designistas declaring 'Goodbye, foam!' on design websites. Setting your sights on acoustic panel as art can squeeze your pocket book, but there are also some surprisingly affordable solutions, too, made out of recyclable materials to boot.

I recommend: Auralex pArtScience SpaceArray looks like a piece of art, but its style disguises the technology behind noise diffusion. re:modern reimagines the acoustic wall panel by offering the Mio Acoustive weave wall tile. They can be permanent or temporary and are paintable.

Create your own acoustic panels

So commercial acoustic soundproofing panels aren't doing it for you and the decorative acoustic panels aren't quite your style. Maybe both are busting your budget. Like any entrepreneur, the next step is that you will tackle this project head on yourself. Take some advice from people who've designed their own do-it-yourself (DIY) acoustic panels.

I recommend: Step-by-step instructions for home-made acoustical panels made by a musician can give you just what you need. Covered in the right fabric, you can make their style blend right in or stand out. DIY Network helps you do it yourself with helpful placement advice. Another product, Green Glue, offers even more muffling qualities when used as a part of this project.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  An eye on safety is a must when you are buying acoustic panels. Many commercial sites will tell you how flame retardant their product is. Look for those ratings, and if you can't find them you may want to move on. When building yourself, keep flame retardant qualities in mind. Work to find products that are already treated or that you can treat to keep you, your workers and your clients safe.

An acoustic panel is material that controls the sound or noise level in a room. These panels reduce or absorb the sounds that echo, reflect or reverberate in a room or studio, thus improving the sound quality for listening or recording. Acoustic panels are available in different types, such as wall panels, ceiling panels and door panels.

In this guide, we will cover some of the key terms related to acoustics panels, such as acoustic treatment, acoustic insulation, decibel (dB), absorbers and diffusers.

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Acoustic treatment

Acoustic treatment is a systematic approach to improve the audibility in a room. It involves improving the quality of desired sound and reducing the unnecessary sound waves by using acoustic panels, baffles and absorbers.

I recommend: Amazing Home Theater provides detailed information about acoustic treatment and steps followed for acoustic treatment. You can also read through information about the acoustic treatment at the Connect Multimedia.

Acoustic insulation

Acoustic insulation prevents sound from traveling from one room to another by using materials that resist transmission of sound waves. Acoustic panels are very useful for the purpose of acoustic insulation in residential and commercial applications.

I recommend: HGTVPro.com provides information about acoustic wall insulation. CSR Building Products is another resource that provides information about acoustic insulation products.

Acoustic foam

Acoustic foam (also known as studio foam) is an acoustic insulation material. This foam absorbs undesired sound and thus, improves quality of desired sound.

I recommend: Unger Technologies, a reputable company in the field of acoustic engineering, provides information about acoustic foam material.

Decibel (dB)

A decibel is the unit for the measurement of sound energy. One decibel is the minimum change in the volume that can be perceived by a human ear. In the field of acoustics, sound intensity is expressed in decibels.

I recommend: To learn more about decibels, read through the acoustic terms glossary at Acoustical Solutions, a reputable supplier of soundproofing and noise control products.

Absorption coefficient

The absorption coefficient of an acoustical material indicates the ability of the material to absorb sound waves.

I recommend: For detailed description for absorption coefficient, read through explanation at Acoustics101.com, an informative website by Auralex Acoustics.

Absorbers

An absorber's function is to absorb the unnecessary sound that is reverberated or echoed. Absorber products are made of different materials as per application requirements.

I recommend: Audio Masterclass publishes an article on acoustic treatment that provides information about the different types of absorbers and their functioning.

Diffusers

A diffuser is a device that diffuses the echo or unnecessary sound reflected from walls or ceilings of a room. This helps in improving the sound quality.

I recommend: For description about the process of diffusion and diffusers, read through the glossary of technical terms at Sweetwater Sound.