You're not alone if you have asked yourself,“What do they mean by acoustic?” or “Are these panels actually acoustic?”— This article will help you understand what our panels can do for sound in your space.

Have you ever wondered why the sound in a forest feels so calm and soft? The answer is in the materials and surfaces. The tall round trees covered in bark and leaves scatter sound waves... the soft loamy soil and surfaces absorb them. This reduces echos and softens harsh noises. This is similar to the way Slatwood behaves in your space.

When people talk about soundproofing or acoustics, they are most often trying to reduce or impact sound transmission.

• Structure-borne sound: This is transmitted through the vibrations of a building's structure. Examples include footsteps on a floor or a door slamming. 
• Airborne sound: This is the most common type of sound transmission. It is caused by pressure fluctuations in the air that cause a surface to vibrate, such as voices, music, or barking dogs. 
  

When airborne sounds bounce off hard surfaces like drywall, glass, or concrete, they create echo and an overall “noisy” feel. The solution? Use materials that absorb sound energy and soften those reflections — making the sound in your room calmer and more pleasant. This is where Slatwood panels shine.

Slatwood panels aren’t just designed to look beautiful — they’re engineered to make your space sound better, too. Here’s how they work:

• Wood slats scatter and diffuse sound waves so they don’t bounce harshly around the room.
• Acoustic felt backing absorbs sound energy, reducing echo and background noise.
• Optional air gap — mount your panels slightly off the wall to enhance low-frequency absorption even more. Filling the gap with rockwool or insulation will also help.

When used together, these layers allow Slatwood panels to achieve a Noise Reduction Coefficient (NRC) of 0.8–0.95 — meaning they can absorb up to 95% of the sound energy that hits them.

The Result: A Beautiful, Quieter Space.

Whether you’re designing a home office, a cozy living room, or a modern workspace, Slatwood panels bring warmth, texture, and calm to your environment. They don’t just make your space look incredible — they make it sound better, too.

So yes — they really are acoustic. Even if you don’t use the optional air gap, the panels will have an effect on the sound of a space, although at a lower NRC.