Working in an office often calls for a strong ability to focus. Having a calm, comfortable work environment is essential to being effective and productive. Yet it’s not uncommon to be disrupted by surrounding noise, especially in open-plan offices. That can significantly impact productivity. That is why improving the acoustics of your premises is essential. Here we share our techniques to improve office acoustics.
Use absorbent floor and ceiling coverings
Floor coverings and absorbent ceilings are an excellent way to improve the acoustics of your office. Absorbent floor coverings, such as carpet, can help reduce surrounding noise and echoes. First because they avoid footstep noise, and also because they absorb other sounds.
Absorbent ceilings are another sound solution to reduce noise in offices. These ceilings are made from absorbent materials such as mineral wool, acoustic foam or porous wood. These materials absorb sound waves and reduce echoes.
Use acoustic partitions
Acoustic partitions are one of the most effective ways to improve your office’s acoustics. They can be installed on walls and ceilings to reduce surrounding noise. They are often made from materials such as rock wool or fibreglass, which are excellent acoustic insulators. In addition, acoustic partitions can be customised to meet your specific needs and can even be used as a decorative element.
Partitions are also a good way to lay out your space as you see fit and help your teams work more smoothly.
Add soundproofing panels
Soundproofing panels can be installed alongside soundproofing partitions. They are usually fitted on walls and can help decorate the workplace. They are sometimes used to enclose a break area and can also separate workstations in an open-plan office. Read our article on how to turn a workspace into an open-plan office.
These panels have genuine acoustic properties and help absorb unwanted sounds and echoes. They come in a wide variety of sizes and shapes, allowing them to be customised to meet your specific needs.
Use thick curtains
Thick curtains are a simple, affordable way to improve your office’s acoustics. Their composition and naturally wavy shape help absorb noise in your workspaces. They are also easy to install and come in a variety of colours and styles to match your interior design.
Reduce the size of open-plan offices
Open-plan offices have become increasingly popular in modern workplaces, but their acoustics can be difficult to manage. If most of your team spends the day on the phone or in video calls, the noise can quickly become unbearable. This can cause drops in productivity or even a rise in absenteeism.
It can be worth reducing the size of open-plan offices, dividing the surface by 2 or by 3 by installing acoustic partitions. That way you get several smaller open-plan offices, quieter and more comfortable for your teams.
Sometimes, choosing closed or semi-closed workspaces is a better option to improve your company’s overall acoustics.
Use absorbent furniture and accessories
Furniture and accessories can also help improve your office’s acoustics. Upholstered chairs, cushions, curtains and desks with an acoustic panel can all help reduce surrounding noise and echoes. Using absorbent materials lets you create a more pleasant work environment for your employees.
Improving office acoustics can have a significant impact on your teams’ well-being and productivity. Many techniques help you absorb surrounding noise. The most effective remains creating closed spaces using acoustic partitions to separate the different offices. That gives you a more comfortable, more productive work environment for your company. If you’d like to carry out an acoustic assessment of your premises, get in touch with one of our experts in office fit-out.
