Recycled PET Felt Acoustic Panels: What They Are Made Of, How They Perform and How to Choose

PET felt acoustic panels have become one of the most popular ways to control noise in offices, studios, homes and hospitality spaces. They are light, easy to fix, available in many colours and shapes, and made from recycled material. This guide explains what recycled PET felt actually is, how well it works for sound dampening, and how to compare thicknesses and densities so you choose the right panel for your room.

What are PET felt acoustic panels made from?

PET stands for polyethylene terephthalate, the same plastic used for drink bottles. To make acoustic felt, recycled PET is processed into fine fibres and then heat pressed into a dense, self supporting board. No chemical glues are needed because the fibres bond thermally, which keeps the material low odour and safe to handle.

The felt sold by Wall Panels Pro is made from recycled PET and carries GRS, the Global Recycled Standard, which verifies the recycled content and the supply chain. That makes it a genuinely sustainable choice rather than a marketing claim, and it is why specifiers working to environmental targets choose recycled PET felt over older mineral or foam treatments.

How effective is PET felt for sound dampening?

It helps to be precise about what acoustic felt does. PET felt is an absorber. It reduces echo and reverberation inside a room by absorbing mid and high frequency sound energy, which makes speech clearer and spaces calmer. This is what most offices, meeting rooms, classrooms and homes actually need.

What PET felt is not is a sound blocker. A thin felt panel will not stop noise passing through a wall to the room next door, because blocking transmission needs mass, not absorption. If your goal is to stop neighbours hearing you, that is a different solution. If your goal is to quieten the room you are in, reduce echo and improve speech clarity, PET felt is well suited and the effect is immediate once enough surface area is covered.

The amount of absorption depends on the panel, the area you cover and whether there is an air gap behind it. Mounting a panel with a cavity behind it improves low frequency performance noticeably compared with bonding it flat to a hard wall.

Comparing thicknesses and densities

Two numbers decide how a felt panel performs and looks: thickness and density.

• Thickness is the most important driver of absorption. A 9mm panel handles everyday speech frequencies well and suits walls where a slim profile matters. An 18mm panel reaches lower into the frequency range and absorbs more energy overall, which suits rooms with more echo or where acoustic performance is the priority. Mounting either thickness with an air gap behind it pushes the absorption lower still.
• Density affects both acoustic behaviour and feel. A denser felt is more rigid, holds a crisp edge and resists damage, which is useful on walls within reach. A softer, lighter felt drapes more easily and suits shapes and baffles. Standard production gives concrete figures to compare: the 9mm felt is around 2000 grams per square metre and the 12mm felt is around 2400 grams per square metre.

The standard panels sold on the site are 9mm and 18mm, where the 18mm is two 9mm sheets bonded together. For larger projects, made to order large format sheets are available in 9mm, 12mm and 18mm, and these can be specified in different densities so the acoustic performance and stiffness can be tuned to the job.

For a typical office or home, a 9mm self adhesive panel on the wall is the simplest effective choice. For rooms with more echo, the 18mm panel, more coverage, or an air gap behind ceiling baffles will do more. The practical rule is that total covered area matters more than chasing the single thickest panel, so plan coverage first and thickness second.

Formats and installation

Recycled PET felt is easy to work with. It comes in standard 9mm and 18mm panels and in ready cut shapes such as circles and long tiles, often self adhesive for direct fixing to a clean, sound wall, plus made to order large format sheets in 9mm, 12mm and 18mm for bigger acoustic projects. It can be cut with a sharp blade, does not fray badly, and is light enough that a single person can install a wall of panels without special tools or a substructure. For ceilings and baffles, mechanical fixings or suspension are used to create the air gap that improves low frequency absorption.

Frequently asked questions

What are PET felt acoustic panels made from?

They are made from recycled polyethylene terephthalate, the plastic used in drink bottles, processed into fibres and heat pressed into a board. No chemical glue is used because the fibres bond thermally. The felt supplied by Wall Panels Pro is GRS certified for recycled content.

How effective are PET felt panels for sound dampening a room?

Very effective at reducing echo and reverberation, which improves speech clarity and makes a room feel calmer. They absorb mid and high frequency sound. They do not block noise passing through a wall, which requires mass rather than absorption.

How do I compare thicknesses and densities of PET felt panels?

Thickness mainly drives how much sound is absorbed. A 9mm panel suits everyday speech and slim wall profiles, while an 18mm panel reaches lower frequencies and absorbs more, and an air gap behind either improves low frequency performance. On standard production the 9mm felt is around 2000 grams per square metre and the 12mm around 2400 grams per square metre, and made to order large format sheets can be specified in different densities. Density affects rigidity and durability, with denser felt better for walls within reach and softer felt better for shapes and baffles. Prioritise total covered area first.

Where can I find suppliers of recycled PET acoustic panels?

Wall Panels Pro supplies GRS certified recycled PET felt acoustic panels in sheets and ready cut shapes, with self adhesive options and delivery across Europe.

How do I install felt acoustic panels on walls?

Most wall panels are self adhesive and fix directly to a clean, dry, sound surface. Cut to size with a sharp blade, plan your layout, and press firmly into place. For ceilings or baffles use mechanical fixings to create an air gap and improve low frequency absorption.

Looking to quieten a room? Browse the felt acoustic range in sheets and shapes, or ask for advice on how much coverage your space needs.