Two Myths on Acoutical Ceiling Tiles

Ceiling tile systems that are designed to combat sound bleed or improve the acoustics within a room require more than standard grade ceiling tiles. Discover there the two key myths of commercial grade ceiling tiles that can help guide you in your selection process.

First, most commercial grade ceiling tiles are not designed to absorb echo. Most will carry NRC values (Noise Reduction Coefficients) of a .50-.55. NRC values are one means by which acousticians can gauge the effect of the material and its ability to control background noise within a room. Sound panels and upgraded ceiling tiles will carry NRC values of .80 - 1.15. These panels target an increase in sound absorption, some even doubling the overall impact of sound reduction that lower grade ceiling tiles will deliver. So for loud venues filled with background noise, standard commercial grade ceiling tiles offer little in terms of sound abatement.

The second great myth about ceiling tiles is that they "block" noise. Where common floor/ceilinig assembly's exist, and a drop grid tile system is in place, commercial grade ceiling tiles offer little in their ability to "cap" off a room acoustically. Ceiling tiles carry no density, they have minimal effect on blocking plenum noise from bleeding in or out of a room through the ceiling. If your goal is to block sound from bleeding through a drop grid tile system, be sure your tiles are dense, or rest weight insulation plates above them. Like flooding water, sandbags are used to block the direction of the water because of the density of the sandbag. You need density to redirect waves, whether they are water or sound waves, and most ceiling tiles are lightweight. They do not block noise.

There are ceiling tiles that have density embedded into the tiles, and there are insulation plates that can arest atop existing, commercial grade ceiling tiles. Both of these options will add the density you need to combat the sound bleeed. Be sure you triple-up pn the hangers used to support the grid system, which in turn will be asked to support the weight of your new tile system.

In conclusion, if you have an existing grid system or intend to install one, be sure that you target ceiling tiles designed to "absorb" echo or that "block" noise. Do not install a standard commercial grade ceiling tile unless your only goal is to hide the pipes in the ceiling.

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