Fibrolite vs Other Acoustic Panels: Where Wood Wool Wins (and Where It Doesn't)
Wood wool cement board (fibrolite) is not the only way to quiet a room, and pretending it is the best at everything would not help you. Here is a fair comparison with the other common acoustic finishes so you can match the panel to the job.
Fibrolite vs PET felt panels
Felt panels are light, self-adhesive and easy to install by hand, which makes them ideal for offices, studios and homes. Fibrolite is heavier and more of a building material: it brings a Euroclass B-s1,d0 fire rating and a robust, knock-resistant cement surface that felt cannot match. Choose felt for quick, soft, DIY-friendly treatment; choose fibrolite for durable, fire-rated commercial and public spaces.
Fibrolite vs acoustic foam
Foam is cheap and absorbs mid and high frequencies well, but it looks like a studio, ages poorly and usually has weak fire performance. Fibrolite looks like architecture, lasts decades and carries a proper fire class. For anywhere people actually see the wall, fibrolite is the easy winner.
Fibrolite vs perforated MDF or plywood
Perforated wood panels look refined and hit useful absorption figures, but MDF cores are combustible and sensitive to moisture. Fibrolite tolerates up to 90 percent relative humidity and will not feed a fire, so it suits gyms, pool surrounds, kitchens and damp or high-risk rooms far better.
Where fibrolite is not the answer
It is honest to say where it loses. If you need a perfectly smooth, paintable flat surface, wood wool is the wrong texture. If the install is a small home project and weight or pallet quantities are a problem, felt is friendlier. And for the very lowest bass frequencies, no thin panel beats a dedicated bass trap with depth.
The short version
Pick fibrolite when you want real acoustic absorption, a B-s1,d0 fire rating, moisture tolerance and a natural, durable finish in one material. Our Sonablock range delivers αw 0.60 to 0.65, is made in Latvia by Stiga RM, PEFC certified and CE marked, and is a sustainable alternative to Heraklith and Troldtekt. See the Sonablock range.