What Are Acoustic Ceiling Tiles?
Acoustic ceiling tiles are a form of tile that absorbs sound and reduces sound escaping through your suspended ceiling.
How do acoustic ceiling tiles absorb sound?
Acoustic
ceiling tiles are made up of specialist materials, that allow the tile to absorb
sound energy that hits its surface. As a result, this reduces sound
reverberation, also known as echo and sound transfer to the void or floor
above.
The performance of the tile is generally rated in Noise Reduction Coefficient (NRC) and Ceiling Attenuation Class (CAC). The higher the NRC and CAC rating, the higher the acoustic performance. The best way to understand this is to imagine a cinema room, which has a flat above it. The cinema room itself would want the sound in the room to remain clear and echo free, whilst also preventing sound from travelling through the suspended ceiling and subsequently to the flat above.
The make up
of the ceiling tile plays a big part in this, as we have different forms of
ceiling tiles produced from mineral fibre and glass wool. Glass wool tiles,
such as the Ecophon
Advantage A tend to be the better absorbers of sound, similar to acoustic
insulation rolls or slabs.
Do acoustic ceiling tiles all look the same?
No, they do
not. There are many different sizes and styles of acoustic
ceiling tiles available, meaning there is a style to suit every project. However,
the vast majority of these tiles tend to be white, and there are only a couple
of options in black which are readily available, such as the Rockfon
Charcoal.
Glass wool-based
tiles have a similar material type finish, whereas mineral fibre tiles, come in
an array of plain, sandy and perforated type finishes. The style that you opt
for would be down to personal preference and in most cases, wouldn’t affect the
acoustic performance of your ceiling system.
Who are the leading brands of acoustic ceiling tiles?
There are many
manufacturers around the world who produce ceiling tiles and boards. The most
popular, and reliable in our opinion are: -
·
Armstrong
Acoustic Ceiling Tiles
·
Ecophon
Acoustic Ceiling Tiles
·
Rockfon
Acoustic Ceiling Tiles
·
Knauf
Ceiling Solutions Acoustic Ceiling Tiles
We have
chosen these four as the leading manufacturers as they have the most sales and
highest performance tiles in the UK. Between them, they have spent millions of
pounds on acoustic research, to ensure that their ceiling tiles are suitable
for your application.
Where do you need acoustic ceiling tiles?
Surprisingly, there are many areas where you either need, or would benefit from an acoustic tiles ceiling. The most common places to find these would be: -
·
Schools
·
Cinemas
·
Theatres
·
Studios
·
Offices
·
Board
Rooms
The above
are just a few of the areas you would tend to use sound absorbing ceiling
tiles, this is due to the nature of the environment. Acoustic tiles are used
where concentration and privacy are required, such as in classrooms, where
students need focus, ceiling tiles would reduce echo and make the teachers
voice much clearer. We talk about Building Bulletin 93 in our Ceiling Tiles
For Schools guide, where the government has set minimum performance
standards for ceilings, to ensure that classrooms are as well equipped for
concentration as they can be.
So, it’s
not always just about performance, there are also areas in which you must meet minimum
performance standards, outlined by the government or local councils.
Can you paint acoustic ceiling tiles?
You
certainly can, however, changing the surface of a ceiling tile will change its
technical performance. The surface of the tiles are specifically designed to
reflect and absorb sound, so changing the surface would alter how it reacts to
sound waves.
We
understand that you may want decorative acoustic ceiling tiles but painting
them is not always the best solution.
Our advice
would be not to paint your ceiling tiles, unless acoustic performance is not a
requirement, as you will ultimately alter the performance and void any
manufacturer warranties that your ceiling has. Further to this, painting your
ceiling can make access into the void more difficult as paint can also overlap
on to the ceiling grid, meaning a messy entrance to the void above.
Can you clean acoustic ceiling tiles?
Cleanability
is often a requirement on suspended ceiling instillations, so most manufacturers
do make their tiles cleanable. However, different tiles will need to be cleaned
in different ways, some tiles can only be wiped down with a slightly wet cloth,
whereas others can be pressure washed.
Pressure washable
ceiling tiles are of course extremely dear and not very common, so the chances
of you having this form of tile would be slim.
You should
always check data sheets and product detail sheets to find out how your tiles
can be cleaned; this will ensure that your tiles remain intact for as long as
possible. Like painting tiles, if you were to clean your tiles with the wrong
product, you may void your warranty.
Do acoustic ceiling tiles work?
They certainly
do! Acoustic ceiling tiles can make huge differences in a room, from reduced
echo to sound transfer, they are designed to keep sound in, and keep it
sounding good!
Here at
Judge Interiors, we have had many customers over the years that have had
trouble with acoustics and come to us for advice. We would always advise
installing an acoustic ceiling system, where sound is a problem, but installing
acoustic tiles isn’t the only thing you can do, we also supply many other
acoustic products to go with your suspended ceiling, such as our ever-popular acoustic
insulation pads. These pads sit directly on top of your ceiling tiles and make
a massive difference to the sound quality and performance of your ceiling.
Acoustic
ceiling tiles truly are worth the investment, they can turn a loud and uncomfortable
atmosphere into a relaxing and comfortable space. When ordering new or replacement
ceiling tiles, you should always consult an expert, to ensure that you are
choosing the best option for your project.
For more
information on acoustic ceiling products, give our expert team a call today on
01253 864901.