Acoustic wall panels are sound-absorbing panels mounted to walls to reduce echo, reverberation, and unwanted noise reflections within a room. They work by trapping sound waves in their porous core — typically PET felt, foam, fabric-wrapped fibreglass, or wood wool — converting sound energy into a tiny amount of heat through friction. The result is a quieter, calmer space with clearer speech and less background noise. Acoustic panels do not block noise from other rooms (that's soundproofing), but they dramatically improve how a room itself sounds.

Common signs that a room would benefit from acoustic wall panels include hearing distinct echoes when speaking, having to raise your voice in conversation, fatigue or headaches after long meetings, video calls sounding "tinny" or hollow on recordings, and speech becoming hard to follow when more than a few people are talking. If your room has hard surfaces (concrete, glass, plasterboard, tile) and minimal soft furnishings, it's almost certainly a candidate for acoustic treatment. Our acoustic calculator will give you a precise reverberation-time reading and a recommendation in under two minutes.

A useful rule of thumb is 30–50% coverage of one major wall surface, though the exact figure depends on room size, ceiling height, existing surfaces, and the absorption class of the panels you choose. A small home office of 10 m² typically needs 6–9 m² of panel coverage; a 30 m² meeting room around 12 m²; an 80 m² restaurant around 18–25 m² when combined with ceiling treatment. Our acoustic calculator gives a tailored recommendation based on your room's exact dimensions and surfaces, including how many panels you'd need at each available size.

We stock four main types of acoustic wall panel, each suited to different applications. Fabric-wrapped panels (such as SilentSpace) offer premium aesthetics and Class A absorption for offices, meeting rooms, and homes. PET felt panels (such as Autex Cube and Groove) are lightweight, available in vibrant colours, and ideal for restaurants, retail, and creative spaces. 3D wall tiles (such as BAUX) provide a sculptural, decorative feature alongside acoustic performance. Timber slat panels add natural warmth with the visual character of wood, suitable for premium residential and hospitality settings.

No — acoustic wall panels are designed to absorb sound within a room rather than block sound transmission between rooms. They reduce echo, reverberation, and harshness, which improves speech clarity and acoustic comfort for the people in that room. To stop noise travelling between rooms (or from outside), you need denser solid-mass solutions like upgraded glazing, acoustic plasterboard, resilient bars, or dedicated soundproofing systems. The two acoustic problems are different and need different solutions, though they're often confused.

Yes — acoustic panels have moved well beyond their traditional industrial appearance and are now a recognised interior design element in their own right. Our range includes panels in over 100 fabric colours, sculpted 3D tiles, geometric patterns, printed art panels, timber finishes, and circular and curved shapes. Many architects and interior designers now specify acoustic panels primarily for their visual contribution, with the acoustic performance as a welcome bonus. Most products can also be ordered in custom sizes or made-to-order configurations to suit specific design requirements.

Most acoustic wall panels are designed for fast, straightforward DIY installation. Lightweight panels (PET felt, fabric wrapped) typically use contact adhesive spray or wall spikes, supplied with the panels. Heavier panels (3D tiles, timber slats) use mechanical fixings or batten systems. For situations requiring removable installation — such as rented spaces, behind whiteboards, or where wall damage must be avoided — Rotofast Snap-On fixings or velcro mounting systems allow panels to be lifted off and reattached without leaving marks. Full installation instructions are included with every order, and our team is available to advise on the best approach for your project.