What are acoustic ceiling elements?

Acoustic ceiling elements are freely hanging panels mounted under the ceiling. They absorb sound on multiple sides and are therefore very effective in improving the acoustics in larger or open spaces.

How do acoustic ceiling panels work?

Acoustic ceiling panels absorb sound reflected upwards. This reduces echo and creates a pleasant acoustics in the room. They work best in combination with other absorbing materials.

When do you choose ceiling elements instead of other ceiling panels?

Ceiling elements are ideal when a space does not have a suspended ceiling or when you are looking for a solution that is both acoustic and aesthetic. They offer flexibility in placement and are also suitable for rooms with many installations on the ceiling.

In which spaces are acoustic ceiling panels suitable?

Ceiling panels are ideal for offices, meeting rooms, classrooms, hospitality venues, and living rooms. They are often used in spaces where wall surface area is limited or where noise issues originate from the ceiling.

How many ceiling panels do I need?

This depends on the size of the room, the height, the usage, and the level of echo. A general guideline is to cover 30% to 50% of the ceiling surface with acoustic material to significantly reduce the echo. We always recommend to get in touch so we can assess your specific situation and provide tailored advice.

Can you clean the ceiling element?

Cleaning is not necessary in principle, but if dust or dirt does accumulate on the surface over time, you can gently dust or clean the panel with a lightly damp cloth. Avoid aggressive cleaning agents, as they may damage the material.

Is the ceiling element paintable?

No, repainting the EASYceiling ceiling element is not recommended. Applying paint can close off the open structure of the acoustic material, reducing its sound-absorbing properties. For colour variations, we offer a range of standard colours to choose from.

What materials are used for frameless ceiling panels?

The EASYceiling Cloud ceiling panel is made up of high-quality, sound-absorbing materials. The core consists of glass wool, a material known for its excellent acoustic properties. This ensures that the ceiling island effectively absorbs sound waves and reduces reverberation in the space. The sides are finished with a sleek, seamless surface without a visible frame.

What is the cocktail party effect?

The cocktail party effect is officially known as the Lombard effect, which was discovered in 1909 by Étienne Lombard. This effect occurs when people start to speak over each other in a noisy environment. As soon as the sound level increases, people automatically speak louder. As a result, the overall noise level continues to rise. This phenomenon often occurs in restaurants and is also known as the cocktail party effect.

Improving acoustics in restaurants with an eye for aesthetics

Almost everyone recognises this situation. You are enjoying a meal with friends or family in a restaurant. The food is good, the service is friendly and the atmosphere is pleasant. Still, there is sometimes one disturbing issue: you cannot hear each other well. Many conversations create a lot of sound waves. Combined with a high reverberation time, this often leads to poor speech intelligibility and fatigue for both guests and hospitality staff. Guests start to speak louder, which causes the cocktail party effect and further worsens the acoustics.

Aimée

This problem also occurred at the Mediterranean restaurant La Griglia. The poor acoustics affected not only the guests’ experience but also the working comfort of the staff. Conversations were tiring and a sense of calm was missing in the space.

The cause was mainly the extensive use of hard materials in the restaurant. This included the type of walls, the ceiling, and the materials used for the tables and the bar. Sound waves from talking guests and working staff were constantly reflected back into the space. As a result, the reverberation time was too high for a pleasant restaurant experience.

To find a suitable solution, our room acoustics consultant Robbert te Loeke mapped the wishes of the restaurant owners and carried out a reverberation time measurement. This showed a clear preference for a ceiling solution, while preserving the interior design. To restore calm to the space, the reverberation time was reduced from 0.78 seconds to 0.60 seconds.

The aesthetic acoustic solution

The chosen solution fits perfectly in this situation. In the restaurant, 16 circular, fabric-covered EASYfabric ceiling circles were installed, finished with Camira Blazer fabric. Each circle has a diameter of 120 cm and is executed in the same colour as the ceiling. This allows the panels to blend seamlessly into the interior and remain visually subtle.

The panels are suspended using S-shaped hangers measuring 3.5 cm in length. This creates an air gap above the panels, which provides additional sound absorption. As a result, the acoustics are noticeably improved and the ceiling circles gain a stylish, floating appearance.

With this solution, EASY Noise Control brings together design and functionality. Restaurant La Griglia is very satisfied with the result and now offers both guests and staff a calm and comfortable environment.