ABOUT ACOUSTIC CEILING TILES

Acoustic Ceiling Tiles are intended to reduce echo within the room, and also to reduce sound transmission between rooms. They may form part of a suspended ceiling, or may be attached directly to the underside of the ceiling. A common material for acoustic ceiling tiles is open-cell melamine based foam, which may have a Hypalon coated surface. The leading acoustic ceiling tile manufacturers listed below the panel of sponsored links have comprehensive websites, with information on all aspects, including colors and materials.

CHOOSING THE BEST TYPE

Ceiling tiles are most usually fitted into a drop or dropped ceiling. This consists of a grid of metal channels, typically in the form an upside-down T, which is hung from the ceiling on wires. The most common sizes for the grid panels in the USA is either 2ft by 2ft or 2ft by 4ft. Light fittings and ventilation grilles are available in the same sizes, so that they can easily be fitted instead of solid panels. The space above the drop ceiling is called the plenum space. It is used for concealing ductwork, wiring, and piping. It may also be used as part of the air circulation system.

Suspended ceiling tiles

The panels for a drop ceiling can be made of metal, plastic, wood, or mineral fibres. They are available in a wide range of colours and surface textures. Mineral fibre is the best material for acoustic ceiling panels. For improved absorption of sound, additional insulation known as Sound Attenuation Batts (SABs) or 'sound batts' above the panels. This helps to deaden sound within the room, and reduce noise transmission between rooms. There are two commonly used ways of defining acoustic performance. The Noise Reduction Coefficient (NRC) is a single number between zero and one which measures the sound absorption performance of a material such as an acoustic ceiling panel. The higher the number, the better the acoustic performance. The Ceiling Attenuation Class (CAC) measure the ability of an acoustic celing panel to block airborne noise transmission between different areas. The higher the CAC number, the better the performance in suppressing sound transmission.

Directly fixed ceiling tiles

As an alternative to a drop ceiling, acoustic ceiling panels can be fixed directly to the ceiling. For example, where exceptional sound absorption is required specially profiled acoustical foam panels can be fixed to the ceiling. These have protruding ridges or pyramids, greatly increasing the surface area and providing very high sound absorption. This type of acoustic ceiling panel is used in recording studios, edit rooms, broadcast studios, and home studios. In extreme cases, such as testing and research laboratories requiring anechoic (no echo) rooms and chambers, wedge acoustical foam can be used. The deep wedge pattern, typically 6 or 8 inches deep, scatters and deflects sound waves, eliminating bounce-back sounds such as echo, feedback and resonance.

LEADING USA MANUFACTURERS

Acoustical Ceiling Tiles. The Acoustical Ceiling Tiles website is published by American Micro Industries Inc., of Chambersburg, Pennsylvania. AMI manufacture acoustic ceiling tiles for commercial, educational, and residential applications. They are intended for upgrading in-room sound quality, and for reducing noise transmission through a ceiling. They may be used in theaters, studios, offices, schools, restaurants, and places of worship. The acoustic ceiling panels can be installed easily in existing drop and suspended ceiling grids. The Acoustical Ceiling Tiles website explains the two main test standards for the performance of acoustic ceiling panels: Noise Reduction Coefficient, and Ceiling Attenuation Class. The former measures sound absorption within the room; the latter measures sound blocking between rooms. AMI supplies four different types of acoustic ceiling panel, most of which are available in white or black.

Acoustical Solutions. Acoustical Solutions Inc., of Richmond, Virginia, is a manufacturer and distributor of soundproofing products including acoustic ceiling tiles, which has been operating since 1989. The Acoustical Solutions product range of ceiling tiles comprises: Sonex Contour Ceiling Tiles, Sonex Hamoni Ceiling Tiles, Signature Ceiling Tiles, Signature Noise Barrier Ceiling Tiles, AlphaSorb Ceiling Tiles, AduioSeal Drop Ceiling Barrier, AlphaMidnight Tiles, AlphaEnviro Ceiling Tiles, Woodtrends Acoustical Ceiling Tiles, Sonex Whiteline Ceiling Tiles, and Sonex Squareline Tiles. Each is available in a variety of colors and patterns. Other acoustical products offered by Acoustical Solutions include: Acoustical Blankets, Acoustical Foam, Acoustical Wall Panels, Audiometric & Recording Booths, Diffusers & Bass Traps, and Drum Shields.

Acoustical Surfaces. Acoustical Surfaces Inc., of Chaska, Minnesota, is an online supplier of soundproofing and noise control solutions, including acoustic ceiling tiles. Acoustical Surfaces has been providing solutions for soundproofing, noise control, acoustical and vibration problems for 25 years, and has over 400 specialty soundproofing and noise control products in its range. Design advice to customers can be offered by Acoustical Surfaces experts by phone or on site. The Acoustical Surfaces website is organized into the following main sections: Echo Eliminator, Sound Silencer, dBA Panels, Decorative Fabric Wrapped Panels, Sound Absorbing Foam, Hanging Acoustical Baffles, Acoustic Quilted Curtain, Flooring Underlays, and Acoustical Ceiling Panels. Acoustic Ceiling Panels are offered in thicknesses of 1 or 2 inches, and in the following sizes: 2x2 foot, 2x4 foot, and 4x8 foot.

OTHER RELATED PRODUCTS

You may also like to visit our USA product guides on: Ceiling Panels, Crown Moldings, and Drop Ceilings.

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Ceiling Product Guides: Acoustic Ceiling Tiles, Ceiling Panels, Ceiling Tiles, Crown Moldings, Drop Ceilings, Suspended Ceilings.