An Introduction to Office Acoustics

A study conducted by economic consultants at Oxford Economics in 2016 found that employees wanted a workspace free from noise and distractions above anything else. The study also found that, despite this, noise and acoustics came at the very bottom of all the considerations companies usually weighed while developing offices.  

In 2022, many workspaces are abandoning traditional cubicles and converting their spaces into layouts that bring people together in collaboration. In addition to the sound of employees speaking to each other, converted buildings tend to have high ceilings and concrete surfaces that noise tends to bounce off. And before you know it, you have got a noisy office. Noisy offices can not only cause drops in productivity but also contribute to higher blood pressure and workplace accidents and mistakes.  

But what exactly is office acoustics, and how do you ensure better acoustics in the workplace?

This blog post is a quick guide that will help you understand office acoustics better and assist you in making your workplace a productive place to work. From the definition of office acoustics to its advantages, we discuss all the essential things to help your space be the open, efficient workplace you want. 

#1 What are ‘Office Acoustics’?

Acoustics is a way to describe how sound behaves within a given space. Similarly, office acoustics refers to how sound behaves in an office environment, where there are several noises and hard surfaces for sound to bounce off. 

#2 What are the types of noises in the workplace?

Noise in the workplace represents any sound that can interfere with an employee’s ability to perform or concentrate. These unwanted sounds can range from the telephone ringing and colleagues talking to each other to noisy machinery and honking on the streets.

#3 Why is sound masking necessary in the workplace?

Along with the evolution of the working world, workplaces have changed too. Workplaces are now adopting the open-plan approach to office design in an attempt to increase collaboration and communication. However, this means that whatever noise occurs in the office will affect your work. The typing on the keyboard, loud chatter and footsteps on the floor are some of the things that have the power to derail an otherwise productive work session. 

A study by the Danish Technical University showed that employee productivity reduced by 15% when noise was introduced. All of this makes it critically important for employers to improve the acoustics and mask as much sound as much as possible in their offices. 

#4 What are some of the most efficient ways to improve acoustics and reduce noise in the office?

ACOUSTIC PANELS

Sound bounces off harder surfaces but is absorbed through softer materials. So to absorb sounds in the workplace, you can consider options like acoustic panels. Acoustic panels reduce reverb, create a high-quality sound environment and are very easy to install. Options like the Fluffo Air Dot Overhead Panels are ideal for large open spaces, wide corridors and halls. These panels can acoustically treat an area without harming your office design. They are available in various colours and shapes to blend perfectly with your already established office interior design. 

MODULAR SCREENS

The main benefit of having an open plan office is the ability for employees to move around, collaborate and work flexibly. Due to this, it can be hard to decide on a fixed sound control measure for the entire office. For situations like this, the best sound masking solutions are modular screens. Similar to acoustic panels, freestanding modular screens can be set up in any area within seconds. Whether you want to set it up near a conference table or in your breakout area, a modular screen will provide instant privacy and sound control. The panels can easily be left in place or taken down again and can be stacked discreetly out of sight when not in use. 

MEETING PODS

If your workplace has an open-plan layout, office phone booths are something you should be investing in. Originally designed for open-plan offices with significant background noise, a meeting pod or a meeting booth provides a quiet area to have a meeting, take a call or do focused work. Acoustic booths such as the Hush Meet not only isolate sounds but also have anti-virus coating and effective ventilation to protect you while you work. Acoustic pods, on the other hand, are great for allowing one person to take calls privately and without distracting others.

PLANTS

Yes, plants put everyone in a great mood and improve air quality. But did you know that plants also contribute greatly to absorbing sounds? In addition to acoustic panels and pods, consider introducing some greenery into your office. Large plants in pots can really improve the acoustics of the office and help reduce office noise. You can also look into adding a moss wall to bring the outdoors in and treat poor office acoustics. 

SEPARATE ROOM FOR MACHINERY

No business can run without machines and server rooms. However, these devices are primarily large and can emit noise that can disturb the peace and quiet of your office if kept in the same space. To stop sounds from machines from entering the workspace, place them in a separate room. You can then line the storage rooms with Sound-Zero Class ‘O’ insulation to soundproof them. This acts as an acoustic sound absorber, especially in the troublesome low frequencies range.

SOUND ABSORBING MATERIALS 

As discussed previously, hard surfaces do not absorb sounds well. Therefore, opting for softer surfaces like carpets, soft furniture, paintings, curtains, and partitions will help control unwanted noise in your workplace. Remember, from ceiling panels to sound-absorbing furniture, it is possible to achieve good acoustic control in any type of floor plan without sacrificing style and comfort. 

Have you considered your office’s acoustics?

Now that you have all the essential information about office acoustics, its effects and why acoustics are important in any workplace, it’s time to kit out your office. If you need assistance in acoustically treating your office, we’re here to help. As experts in office supplies and interiors in Ireland, we can walk you through the best acoustic products for the needs of your office. 

Get in touch with us today by visiting our website or contacting us here!