Acoustic Finishes

Acoustic panels in Singapore are mostly bought to cure echo, not to block a neighbour's noise. They absorb sound inside a room, so speech is clearer and rooms full of stone, glass and concrete feel calmer. If the problem is sound coming through a wall or a slab, you need soundproofing, which is a different job. This guide explains the difference, what NRC ratings mean, where panels work best, the fire-safety points for commercial spaces, and indicative prices.

Absorption versus soundproofing

Absorption reduces the sound that bounces around a room. Porous materials such as felt, mineral wool and open fabric let sound in and turn a small part of its energy into heat. Reflections die away faster, and the room sounds less harsh.

Soundproofing, or sound insulation, stops sound from passing between spaces. It relies on mass, airtight construction and separating one layer from another, for example a heavy plasterboard wall on its own studs with sealed joints. A 25 mm panel glued to a party wall will barely change what your neighbour hears.

Our journal on soundproofing a condo covers the insulation side in more detail.

NRC explained simply

The Noise Reduction Coefficient (NRC) is a single number, usually between 0 and 1, that shows how much sound a material absorbs. It is the average of the absorption measured at four speech-range frequencies (250, 500, 1,000 and 2,000 Hz) in a laboratory test. A value near 0 means the surface reflects almost everything, like painted plaster or glass. A value near 1 means it absorbs almost everything that reaches it.

• Thickness matters. Thin felt mainly absorbs higher frequencies. Thicker panels, or panels mounted with an air gap behind them, reach lower into the voice range.
• Compare like with like. Results depend on the test method and how the sample was mounted. Ask for the test report, not only the headline figure.
• Other ratings. European data sheets often give a weighted absorption coefficient (αw) and an absorption class from A (highest) to E. These are a different scale from NRC.

Where to place acoustic wall panels

• Near the people talking. In meeting rooms and dining rooms, treat the walls at seated and standing head height first.
• Between parallel hard surfaces. Two bare walls facing each other create a fluttering echo. Treating one of each pair often settles it.
• At the first reflection points. In listening rooms and home cinemas, treat the side walls where sound from the speakers first bounces towards the seats.
• As part of the furnishing. Rugs, heavy curtains, upholstered banquettes and full bookcases all absorb or scatter sound. Count them in before adding panels.

Our acoustic felt panels and acoustic wood panels pages compare the two most common wall finishes.

Walls or ceiling?

In most open rooms the ceiling is the largest hard, uninterrupted surface. That is why ceiling treatment often makes the biggest single difference. One Singapore installer's restaurant cost guide ranks it first for that reason. Walls are easier to reach and can be designed as features, but they take knocks from chairs and shoulders.

See acoustic ceiling panels for clouds, baffles and acoustic false ceilings.

Fire safety in commercial spaces

In commercial premises, wall and ceiling linings are classified under the SCDF Fire Code by how fast flame spreads across their surface, from Class 0 (best) to Class 4, based on British Standard 476 tests. Escape routes and corridors carry the strictest requirements. Ask for the test certificate for the exact product, thickness and facing, and have the project's Qualified Person confirm what each area needs. In general, the requirements are tighter in exit staircases, exit passageways and corridors than in rooms, and buildings with sprinklers have some relaxations. Fabric facings and timber veneers count as part of the surface, so the certificate must cover the finished panel. In homes the rules are lighter, but we still prefer tested materials near kitchens and in home cinemas full of equipment.

Indicative acoustic panel prices in Singapore

• Fabric-wrapped wall panels, 50 mm thick, supplied and installed: from about S$185 per 1,200 x 600 mm panel, or about S$255 per square metre (Singapore installer, 2026).
• Ceiling panels, baffles and clouds: higher per square metre than wall panels, because of suspension hardware and access (same source).
• Acoustic false ceiling in a home: around S$12 to S$18 per square foot, with premium materials costing more (Singapore renovation guide, 2026).

Bespoke felt and timber designs depend heavily on specification, and we did not find reliable published Singapore rates for them. Scaffolding, after-hours work in commercial premises and custom sizes are commonly priced separately. Prices vary with size, specification and site conditions, and these figures are not a Keneki quote.

Our acoustics studio treats sound as part of the design from the first sketch. That means absorption built into joinery, ceilings and soft furnishings rather than panels added afterwards. Keneki designs and manages the work end to end, and our partner workrooms and installers make and fit it. For a room that is too loud, arrange a consultation.

Frequently asked questions