Acoustic Panels

Acoustic panels can keep the noise low while still being high on style

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.

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.

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.

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.

• 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.

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