How to Choose Wood Wool Acoustic Panels: Fibre, Fire and Acoustics Explained

Wood wool acoustic panels (fibrolite) look simple, but a few choices decide whether your room ends up quiet and good looking or just expensive. Here is what actually matters when you specify them.

1. Fibre width sets the look

This is the most visible choice. Sonablock comes in three fibre widths:

  • 1.0 mm fine gives the densest, cleanest surface. Best for corporate offices, healthcare and hospitality where a precise look is wanted.
  • 1.5 mm medium is the versatile middle ground and the most popular for mixed commercial use.
  • 2.0 mm coarse is open and tactile, suited to loft offices, gyms and retail where a raw aesthetic is intentional.

2. Thickness and the air gap drive acoustics

The panel alone absorbs sound, but the cavity behind it does a lot of the work at low frequencies. Sonablock reaches αw 0.60 to 0.65 (Absorption Class C) with a 200 mm gap. If you can leave a void or add mineral wool behind the board, you get noticeably more absorption than mounting it tight to a hard wall. Choose 25 mm boards for the best performance, or 15 mm where ceiling depth is tight.

3. Check the fire rating against the room

For commercial walls and ceilings you usually need a reaction-to-fire class on file. Sonablock is Euroclass B-s1,d0 to EN 13501-1: low fire contribution, low smoke, no flaming droplets, valid with and without an air gap. Always confirm the spec your project requires.

4. Colour and finish

Natural, white RAL 9010, light grey RAL 7035, dark grey RAL 7004 or black RAL 9011, with custom RAL and NCS on request. The surface needs no filling, sanding or painting after install, which saves time on site.

5. Order quantity and edges

Wood wool is sold by the pallet (30.96 m² for 25 mm). Below a pallet a surcharge applies, so plan coverage with a small waste allowance. Edge profiles (square, bevelled and others) change how panels meet, so pick the edge before you order.

Need help matching a spec to your project? Browse the Sonablock range or contact us for a project quote. Sonablock is made in Latvia by Stiga RM, PEFC certified and CE marked, and is a sustainable alternative to Heraklith and Troldtekt.

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