Is it cheaper to make your own acoustic panels?

This blog post aims to highlight some of the cost savings when you make your own DIY soundproof panels. While we do not wish to undermine the manufacturers producing these panels, as many of them create highly impressive products, this article is tailored for the DIY enthusiast who is reasonably handy, meticulous, and looking to save money on their build.

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MATERIALS OVERVIEW:

Acoustic Fill:

One of the most crucial materials needed is the acoustic fill. This material is what enables the Acoustic Panel to absorb a wide range of sound frequencies. Though there are several fill options available, many manufacturers prefer Fiberglass Rigid Board. The most commonly used is Owens Corning's 703 Series board, which is exceptional in absorbing high to mid-low frequencies, fire-rated, and cost-efficient.

Currently on our site, you can purchase a box of 2" thick OC 703 for $52.50 with $35 Flat Rate Shipping ($87.50). This box contains 6 panels that are 24" x 48". We will use this material for comparison purposes in this post.

Acoustic Fabric:

Aside from the fill, the second most important material is the acoustic fabric. This is the material you will see for long periods, especially during late-night sessions. It's wise to choose an attractive fabric and color that is also acoustically transparent, meaning the fabric itself will not reflect sound off the panel surface. Many DIY enthusiasts opt for inexpensive burlap, which comes in various colors and is porous. However, professionals and most manufacturers use higher-end fabrics like Guilford of Maine's Anchorage range. This range is 100% acoustically transparent (UL Tested), fire-rated, and visually pleasing, available in 30+ bold colors, which can give your DIY acoustic panel that "professional look" you desire.

Framing:

Most professionally made acoustic panels feature frames made of wood, metal, or even plastic. For ease of fabrication, wood is the recommended material. Local home improvement stores offer a variety of options, and it is not necessary to use high-quality wood since the frame will not be visible. You'll need approximately 12 feet of material per panel. For cost estimation, we found pieces of dimensional lumber sized 1" x 2" x 8ft for less than $3 each, bringing the framing cost to around $4.50 per panel.

Hardware:

Framed acoustic panels are often installed using Z-Clips, which are bent aluminum brackets shaped like the letter Z. Two clips are screwed onto the back of the frame pointing downwards, while another two are installed on the wall pointing upwards. The panel is then slid into place. These Z-Clips can be purchased on our site for $12 for a box of 24 clips, enough for 6 DIY sound panels. Alternatively, you can use picture frame wiring or other fastening methods.

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PRICE COMPARISONS:

Upon researching, we found that premade 2" thick acoustic panels are priced between $50 and $150 per panel. For comparison, we chose a reputable manufacturer offering moderate prices. We selected 6 panels that are 2" thick, featuring fiberglass fill, high-quality Guilford of Maine fabric, and measuring 24" x 48". We encourage you to shop online to find your own comparison pricing:

Professional Acoustic Wall Panels:

6 Panels w/ Shipping Costs: $507 ($84.50/ea)

DIY Panels:

6 panels of Owens Corning 703 2" thick w/ Shipping Cost: $87.50 ($14.58/ea)

5 yards of Guilford of Maine Anchorage Fabric w/ Shipping Cost: $124.95 ($20.83/ea)

72ft of Lumber for Wooden Frames (pickup locally): $27 ($4.50/ea)

MetroFlex Z-Clips Box of 24 Clips: $12 ($2/ea)

Total: $251.45 or $41.91 each panel

Savings: $255.55 or $42.59 per panel

When you make your own soundproof panels, you'll save nearly half the cost compared to purchasing online panels without compromising quality; you still get the same acoustic fill and high-quality fabric!

In smaller spaces, achieving a super low RT60 is notably easier due to the ratio of reflection to absorbance, especially when treating all room surfaces with mineral wool.

In my small guest bedroom, used for playing pedal steel and storing clothes, I aim to reduce the RT60 value well below 0.5s through treatments, as indicated by the graph lines.

Room treatment is a complex subject fraught with conflicting information, partly because of poor intuition about sound mechanics and the varied reasons for treating rooms.

For music listening in small rooms, room treatments should focus on reducing early reflections. These treatments tend to absorb higher frequencies disproportionately, altering the tonal balance of your music, essentially acting as wall-mounted low-pass filters.

For voice recordings, treatments that minimize room effects can make recordings more intelligible and less fatiguing, especially when listening through headphones. I also want to treat the area near my monitors to achieve dry playback, although this might affect the overall tonality.

The human voice ranges down to around 80hz, with resonant frequencies at 120hz, which is where these treatments start to become effective. My goal is to create voice recordings that sound natural and well-balanced.

Let's consider the example of creating a voice recording booth. Isolation and absorbance are key for this application. I have a room in my basement, approximately the size of a large closet, with angled walls and a ceiling height of about 7 feet. This space is ideal for achieving low RT60 values through proper treatment.

Are you interested in learning more about Akupanel Wood Acoustic Panels custom? Contact us today to secure an expert consultation!