If you’re looking for a stylish and cost-effective acoustic solution for your commercial or residential property, PET felt acoustic panels could be ideal. As a lightweight and moldable option that comes in a range of beautiful colors and shapes, I love suggesting PET felt for on-the-fly alterations or for someone who wants a really modern solution with designer appeal.
In this article, I’ll give you the basics on what PET felt is and how it’s made. I’ll also discuss some benefits and misconceptions and share some of the best PET acoustic panel solutions for your property. In the end, you should have a good idea of whether PET acoustic panels are the right choice for you.
PolyPhon™ Polyester Acoustic Panel / Ceiling Tile 2′ x 4′ x 1″ Box of 14 White
What is PET Felt?
PET felt is an eco-friendly synthetic felt material made from post-consumer recycled bottles. It’s strong yet soft, lightweight, flexible, resilient, and can be easily formed into various shapes. It’s also incredibly durable and water-resistant, making it perfect for humid climates. It’s also available in a variety of vibrant colors, such as yellow, orange, green and purple.
Compared to traditional felt material, PET felt has the added benefit of being hypoallergenic, odor free, and non-toxic. It doesn’t require frequent cleaning or maintenance and is extremely easy to clean. Its open cellular structure also means it can be easily cut or shaped as needed (more on this in a minute). Overall, PET felt offers both environmental and functional benefits. It’s an excellent choice for a wide variety of applications, including as an acoustic solution.
How is PET Felt Made?
How is PET felt made? Typically, plastic bottles are shredded into flakes. The flakes are then heated and melted, which can be done using either a hot air-forced drying method or a steam-heating system. Both processes require precise temperature control so that the PET flakes are heated uniformly. Once the flakes melt, they form a fibrous material which is then pressed and twisted into a felt-like fabric, aka PET felt.
A specialty dye is used to make the PET super colorful and vibrant. However, like all things that require dying, there can be slight color differences between pieces of PET felt. That’s why it’s best to order more than you need to get a more uniform color in case you need additional panels down the road. So, how does PET felt become acoustic panels? What makes it so good for acoustics?
What Makes PET Felt Good for Acoustics?
Sound Absorption Diagram
I love explaining this stuff, so let’s talk physics, shall we? Sound waves can’t be stopped, but they can be absorbed, reflected, and refracted, depending on the material the sound wave is passing through. Additionally, the speed of sound waves can be affected by things like density, temperature, and friction. As a result, sound-absorbing materials can help to reduce the amplitude (volume) of the sound.
PET felt is a porous material that affects sound waves in a unique way. It essentially creates a tortured path where heat is a byproduct of friction. When sound waves go through a porous substance like PET felt, the wave hits the fibers and bounces between the little air spaces between those fibers. It’s like an arrow going through a hay bale. The fibers and air pockets absorb and reflect the sound waves and slows them down incrementally.
In terms of absorption strength, fiberglass is one of the most effective materials available. Interestingly, PET felt can absorb sound as well as fiberglass when comparing a one-inch thick piece of both. However, PET felt products are typically produced at a thinner thickness and more dense. As a result, many people think it isn’t as effective. It is true that the denser something is, the less sound it’s going to absorb.
If you are using a 9mm PET felt product, you can enhance its ability to absorb sound by putting an air gap or spacing it further from a wall to improve its dynamic performance. In other words, air pockets and positioning help PET felt maintain its aesthetically appealing appearance and acoustic properties. It’s all about the laws of physics!
Cumberland Children’s Hospital – Bright white PolyPhon™ Panels mounted to Children’s Hospital ceiling for sound control.
6 Benefits of PET Felt Acoustic Panels
There are several benefits to choosing PET felt acoustic panels. Here are some of the top benefits:
1. Durability and Impact Resistant
PET felt is incredibly durable and impact resistant, which makes it ideal for areas that might endure extra wear and tear.
2. Cutability in the Field
It’s simple to cut PET felt acoustic panels in the field, to size, making installation a breeze. Just use a heat gun or hairdryer on a low setting to shrink and melt the frayed fibers back into place.
3. Tolerates Higher Humidity
You can utilize PET felt in higher humidity areas because it’s made of plastic.
4. Color Options for Optimum Creativity
Premium PET felt acoustic panels have incredible color options and shapes which allows you to optimize your creativity
5. Simple Installation
You can cut PET felt right in the field and melt the edges back flat. For lower-cost panels, simply screw or adhere the panels to the walls. Alternatively, you can use a premium option (like the PolyPhon™ Polyester Acoustic Panels) with a hidden attachment panel in the back.
6. Eco-friendly
PET felt is partially made from recycled fiber, making it an eco-friendly option for acoustical solutions.
What is the Best PET Acoustic Panels Solution?
There are many types of PET felt acoustic panels on the market. The best solution will depend on your needs, goals, and budget. However, you want to be sure to go with a high-quality manufacturer like Acoustical Solutions.
Here are some of our best PET acoustic panels to consider for your project:
PolyPhon™ Polyester Acoustic Panels
This cost-effective product comes in white and beige. PolyPhon™ Polyester Acoustic Panels are fire-resistant and easy to assemble, and their sound absorption ratings make them ideal for many applications. The panels’ acoustic properties block unwanted noise from transmitting from one side to the other and absorb low to mid-range frequencies. Customers typically order large quantities, and it’s common in projects requiring higher impact resistance where aesthetics isn’t a core requirement.
King Family Vineyard – White Polyphon™ panels used in ceiling to reduce ambient noise for during events.
AlphaSorb® Designer Premium Acoustic Felt Wall Panels
AlphaSorb® Designer Premium Acoustic Felt Wall Panels provide acoustic treatment without compromising aesthetics, thanks to their stylish design. With colors to suit any decor, these panels are easy to install and are the perfect solution to reducing noise levels in any space. They’re made from 100%-PET plastic from recycled bottles and are 100%-recyclable, as well as being fire-rated, environmentally responsible, and easy to maintain with a long-lasting lifespan. This material is also eligible for LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) MRc4 credits.
AlphaSorb Designer Premium Acoustic Felt Wall Panels Building Lobby Installation
AlphaSorb® Designer Premium Acoustic Felt Hexagon Wall Panels
Constructed with the highest quality materials, AlphaSorb® Designer Premium Acoustic Felt Hexagon Wall Panels feature a unique hexagonal design that adds an elegant, modern touch to any room. The panel easily attaches to any wall and can be moved for easy repositioning when needed. With its contoured shape, this acoustic wall panel will look great and provide optimal reverberation control.
AlphaSorb Designer Premium Acoustic Felt Hexagon Wall Panels installed in a Yoga studio
Alphasorb® Designer Premium Acoustic Felt Drop Ceiling Tiles
AlphaSorb® Designer Premium Acoustic Felt Drop Ceiling Tiles provide superior sound absorption and acoustic comfort to any space. Crafted with a unique diamond-shaped pattern, these durable and high-quality tiles are perfect for any commercial or residential setting. These ceiling tiles use the physics principles we talked about above. As a result, the acoustic properties maximize when you leave extra space and air around the PET felt panels.
Closeup photo of a Designer Premium Acoustic Felt Ceiling Tile 1″ Tegular in Pale Grey with a cutout for a sprinkler head
AlphaSorb® Designer Premium Acoustic Felt Ceiling Baffles
AlphaSorb® Designer Premium Acoustic Felt Ceiling Baffles add a contemporary look and feel to your walls. They provide superior sound absorption with their noise-dampening features, perfect for creating quiet areas in any environment. In addition, these baffles come in an array of colors and styles, which allows you to make your space look stylish and elegant. With an easy installation process and coverage of up to 24 square feet, these are ideal for covering a lot of space.
AlphaSorb® Designer Premium Acoustic Felt Ceiling Baffles
AlphaSorb® Designer Acoustic Felt Ceiling Clouds
Our recycled AlphaSorb® Designer Premium Acoustic Felt Ceiling Clouds provide optimal solutions for sound absorption and aesthetics that are both practical and stylish. These multi-dimensional pieces are an excellent way to upgrade any space with color, texture and shape. Through careful engineering, our felt clouds offer excellent acoustical benefits while also adding visual appeal to modern and contemporary interior designs.
AlphaSorb® Designer Premium Acoustic Felt Ceiling Clouds
Crafted with 100%-recycled PET plastic, these clouds are an eco-friendly option with high acoustic performance, making them perfect for open-plan offices, restaurants, and home theaters. They’re also designed to include an air cavity for maximum performance.
AlphaSorb® Series 200 Polyester Acoustic Panels
Five shapes, five colors–choose your favorite combination to customize your wall design! Installation is a cinch, simply peel and stick with the one-inch double-sided tape pre-applied to each panel. With the AlphaSorb® Series 200 Polyester Acoustic Panels, you can give any wall a beautiful, personal touch.
AlphaSorb® Series 200 Polyester Panels
Get Started with PET Felt Acoustic Panels from Acoustical Solutions
In short, PET felt acoustic panels are an excellent choice for a cost-effective acoustic solution. Both decorative and eco-friendly, they’re a perfect option for adding style and improving the acoustics of your space. Their numerous benefits will allow you to enjoy a beautiful, sleek, and virtually soundproof environment in any area.
Ready to get started with PET felt acoustic panels? Contact us today!
To learn more about how Acoustical Solutions can solve your noise control problems, use our contact form, call one of our Acoustical Sales Consultants at (800) 782-5742, or visit us on the web at acousticalsolutions.com.
