It's not just music that sounds better in the right environment: Acoustics can also play an important role in the office. A pleasant work environment with good room acoustics increases motivation and productivity. We'll give you tips on how to ensure people feel comfortable at work and are well protected from noise pollution.
What is room acoustics?
Room acoustics refers to the properties of a room that influence its ability to generate, reflect, and absorb sound. Room acoustics are an important factor for well-being in an office space. They can improve or impair concentration, speech comprehension, and communication in general. Properties that influence room acoustics are essentially the size and shape of the room, as well as the materials used within it. The material must be able to absorb sound effectively. This means the material should have a high density of pores and cavities.
Moss is a highly effective sound-absorbing material that is often used to improve room acoustics. Moss pictures and moss walls, in particular, help reduce disturbing noises and create a more pleasant atmosphere.
Consequences of poor room acoustics
If your office has poor acoustics, you're not alone. It's estimated that 90% of all offices are affected by some form of noise. Acoustics are an important factor in the office atmosphere, as they can have a huge impact on employee productivity and well-being. Studies show that prolonged exposure to high levels of noise can lead to the following consequences:
- Lower productivity and concentration
- Higher stress levels
- Reduced recovery from work-related fatigue
Measures to improve
There are two ways to improve the acoustics in your office: sound absorption and sound insulation.
Sound absorption is the process by which sound waves are absorbed by a material to prevent them from being reflected back into the room. Absorption converts the sound energy into another form (usually heat).
Soundproofing is the use of materials that block or dampen noise entering a room, reducing its impact. There are various types of diffusers for office environments, such as ceiling tiles with built-in air deflectors or dampening clips that allow air to pass through while preventing sound from escaping.
Step 1: Determine the noise source
First, you should determine the cause of the problem. Is the noise coming from a fan or an air conditioner? If so, talk to a technician to fix it. If this isn't your problem and someone is talking loudly in another room, it might be time for new workspace partitions. As you can see from these examples, finding out what's causing the noise in your office can solve the problems quickly and efficiently. However, poor office acoustics can also be caused by a variety of other factors, including:
- Employee conversations that are transmitted across workstations
- Sound reflected from walls, floors and ceilings (especially if they are hard surfaces)
- Background music or other noises coming from the rest of the office
Step 2: Optimize room acoustics
To improve room acoustics, background noise must be reduced and sound absorption increased. To reduce background noise, you can use acoustic panels or wall coverings with maximum absorption properties. The most effective way is to install acoustic panels or panels as a facade on walls, including the ceiling. If you don't want to use panels, you can also hang acoustic fabric over your desk or create a kind of partition between your office and another. Using sound absorbers is guaranteed to create more pleasant room acoustics.
Sound absorbers: Which ones are there?
There are many different types of sound absorbers. The most common are soundproofing panels, acoustic ceiling panels, and wall absorbers, which include our moss pictures and moss walls. Sound absorbers are designed to absorb sound. They are the opposite of soundproof panels, which prevent sound from entering or leaving a room. Soundproofing panels are primarily used to prevent sound from entering or leaving a room. If you want to prevent colleagues from hearing your phone conversations or discussions in meetings, these panels are very useful. Acoustic ceiling panels are also well suited to reducing reverberation in large spaces like auditoriums and conference rooms where there is a lot of echo. If you want a quieter office without taking up more space, this may be the best solution for you.
Wall absorbers , such as our moss pictures and moss walls, can also be a good choice, If you want to reduce echoes in an open-plan office where everyone can hear everything everyone else says (e.g., when they're talking loudly on the phone), wall absorbers can help reduce ambient noise and reverberation in these areas by absorbing more energy than normal walls would naturally absorb.
Absorbing sound indoors presents a constant challenge for interior designers and planners. To meet both aesthetic and acoustic requirements, acoustic products made from natural, maintenance-free moss appear to be the ideal solution. The sound-absorbing properties of moss walls and moss pictures have been laboratory tested according to ISO 11654:1997, yielding results of up to 60% sound absorption !
Conclusion: Make it easy for your ears too
The measures listed above are relatively easy to implement and can have a positive impact on the acoustics in your office. These measures can help you create a workspace that is both pleasant and productive for employees. So, if you want to improve the acoustics in your office, there are many options. The first step is to identify the problem and ensure everyone is aware of its importance for communication and productivity. Then, you can improve the sound-absorbing properties of the room by installing sound absorbers that absorb the annoying sound waves.
Moss is a natural sound absorber and can help significantly reduce noise in the office. Moss pictures and moss walls, in particular, offer an elegant solution for both improving acoustics and creating a stylish, natural ambiance. If you're interested in a moss acoustic solution, we'd love to hear more about your acoustic needs!