Create a better acoustic environment in your business using acoustic solutions
A good acoustic environment in the workplace is often the difference between a productive day and a draining one. But what does it actually mean to have good acoustics in a business, and how can materials such as wood be used to create both visual harmony and acoustic balance? In this article, we explore the importance of the acoustic environment in public spaces and how modern solutions such as wooden acoustic panels can transform a workplace.
What is acoustics and what does it mean for us?
Before we look at specific solutions, it is important to understand the basics of how sound works and how it affects our daily lives.
What does acoustics mean?
The word ‘acoustics’ derives from the Greek word ‘akoustikós’, which means ‘of or for hearing’ or ‘the study of sound’. In architecture and interior design, it refers to how sound is created, propagated, and received in an enclosed space. Good acoustics mean that sound is perceived as balanced and that unwanted noise is minimised, which is crucial if we are to spend time in a space for longer periods of time without becoming exhausted.
What is acoustics in practice?
In a physical space, acoustics are governed by how sound waves interact with the surroundings. When sound waves hit hard surfaces, such as concrete walls, large glass panels, or plasterboard, they bounce back and create what we call reverberation or echo. If these surfaces are left untreated, the sound level builds up quickly, leading to a noisy environment. If, on the other hand, the surfaces are clad with porous or textured materials, such as wooden slats or acoustic panels, the sound can either be absorbed or diffused. The result is a softer and more pleasant soundscape where voices can be heard clearly without having to be raised.
Why the acoustic environment and sound in the workplace are crucial
A well-designed acoustic environment is one of the most important, yet sometimes most overlooked, factors for achieving a sustainable workplace. In fact, poor acoustics are one of the most common sources of stress and fatigue in offices and public spaces.
Increased concentration and productivity
In an open-plan office or a public environment, it is often the small, constant sounds that are the most disruptive. By investing in the right acoustic solutions, you can minimise disruptive background noise and sudden sound spikes. This allows employees to stay focused on their tasks for longer, which directly impacts both the quality of work and productivity.
Improved health and long-term wellbeing
The noise level in the workplace is directly linked to the body’s stress response. High or jarring noise levels force the brain to constantly work to filter out irrelevant information, leading to mental exhaustion, headaches, and stress-related issues. Creating a quiet acoustic environment demonstrates that a company is interested in investing in the long-term health of its staff and reducing the risk of sick leave.
Better communication and clearer conversations
In spaces with good acoustics, conversations become more effective. When reverberation is controlled, there is no need to strain your voice in order to be heard, and the risk of misunderstandings is reduced. This is particularly important in environments such as meeting rooms, reception areas, and canteens, where clear communication between colleagues and customers is absolutely crucial to the smooth running of the business.
How does acoustic improvement work?
To create a balanced soundscape in a business, isolated measures are rarely sufficient. Instead, a strategic approach to control sound waves is required, and this is primarily achieved through two approaches: absorption and diffusion.
Sound absorption: Capturing noise
Sound absorption involves preventing sound from bouncing off hard surfaces and creating echoes. By using porous materials, sound waves are ‘captured’ and converted into small amounts of heat energy instead of being reflected back into the room. This is particularly effective for reducing the overall noise level in environments where there is a lot of background noise, such as canteens or open-plan offices. By strategically placing absorbers on walls and ceilings, you can create a noticeably quieter atmosphere.
Sound diffusion: Breaking up echoes
Whilst absorption removes sound, diffusion is about spreading it out. Instead of the sound wave bouncing straight back (like a ball against a flat wall), structured and irregular surfaces are used to break up the sound and scatter it in many different directions. This removes sharp, ‘hard’ echoes without making the room completely dead or silent. Diffusion contributes to a lively yet controlled acoustic environment where the sense of space is maintained.
Why wood is the optimal material
It is in the choice of materials that theory meets practice. Wood is an excellent natural material that can be engineered to handle both absorption and diffusion simultaneously. By using slats with specific spacing and rear-mounted damping, a technically advanced solution is created that meets stringent acoustic demands. In addition to its technical characteristics, wood adds a visual softness and natural warmth to an interior, which, according to research, can also have a positive psychological effect on those in the space.
GLT Herrljunga: Sound-absorbing components for acoustic environments
When it comes to combining functional sound reduction with timeless Scandinavian design, GLT Herrljunga is a key player. We specialise in manufacturing the sound-absorbing profiles and timber components required to build high-performance acoustic solutions in public spaces.
Slats as the core of effective acoustic panels
An acoustic panel is only as good as its constituent components. Our carefully manufactured slats form a key part of modern sound absorbers. By mounting these slats at precise intervals in front of an acoustic fabric or mineral wool, a structure is created that effectively breaks up sound waves. This makes it possible to control reverberation in a wide variety of spaces from large, open auditoriums to busy office environments.
Material choices that define the room
We manufacture components and profiles in various types of core material and surface finish to meet the visions of architects and interior designers. Slats can be supplied in everything from exclusive walnut-veneered MDF to other carefully selected woods. By choosing the right wood, you can create an environment that not only sounds good but also exudes a sense of quality and natural luxury.
Flexibility for both ceilings and walls
We produce profiles that are designed to be flexible and adaptable.
They work just as well as a base for a sound-absorbing ceiling as they do for decorative and functional wall cladding. This versatility makes it possible to achieve a cohesive visual style throughout the space, where ceilings and walls work together to create a harmonious whole.
Sustainable design for public spaces
In environments such as schools, hotel lobbies, and modern offices, solutions are required that can withstand daily wear and tear whilst retaining their beauty over time. GLT Herrljunga’s profiles are developed with a focus on sustainability and aesthetics. We produce a solution where technical functionality meets timeless craftsmanship, contributing to spaces where people can thrive, work and, spend time for many years to come.
Take the step towards a better acoustic environment
Improving the acoustics in your workplace is an investment in both staff wellbeing and your company’s brand. With the right wooden components, you can transform a noisy and stressful space into a harmonious workplace that exudes calm and professionalism.
Would you like to know more about our acoustic profiles?
Do you need acoustic slats or profiles for a specific project? Contact us at GLT Herrljunga for advice about how our products can be used to optimise the acoustic environment in your next public space. We’ll help you find the right technical solution and surface finish for your specific needs.
Checklist: How to improve the acoustic environment in your workplace
Creating a harmonious acoustic environment is a multi-step process. Use this checklist to identify your needs and choose the right solutions for your business.
1. Analyse the current situation
- [ ] Identify sources of noise: Does the noise come from inside (e.g. coffee machines, conversations, fans) or outside (traffic, construction sites)?
- [ ] Measure the reverberation time: Is there an echo when people are speaking in the meeting room or canteen? A long reverberation time is the clearest sign that sound absorbers are needed.
- [ ] Assess the zoning: Are there clearly defined areas for focused work and social interaction?
2. Strategic measures
- [ ] Combine absorption and diffusion: Do you have enough soft surfaces to absorb sound (absorption) and textured surfaces to break up echoes (diffusion)?
- [ ] Consider ceilings and walls: The ceiling is often the largest reflective surface. Have you installed or planned for an acoustic ceiling?
- [ ] Choose the right materials: Wood is an excellent choice for combining acoustic function with a welcoming, biophilic design (natural materials that reduce stress).
3. Component requirements (for architects and purchasers)
- [ ] Durability: Have the materials been selected to withstand wear and tear in a public environment?
- [ ] Quality of slats: If you are planning acoustic panels – are the slats manufactured with high precision to ensure both function and aesthetics?
- [ ] Design consistency: Can the acoustic solution be adapted to the company’s visual identity (e.g. specific wood types such as oak or walnut)?
4. Follow-up
- [ ] Ask staff: How is the acoustic environment perceived once the measures have been implemented?
- [ ] Continuous optimisation: The acoustic environment changes depending on the layout and number of people in the room. Are more wall absorbers or partition walls required?