When constructing spaces like hospitals, health care facilities, classrooms, offices, and home theatres, creating an environment conducive to focus is the top priority. As such, it’s highly recommended to use acoustic ceiling tiles for this build instead of settling for regular options. Since they’re specifically designed for superior noise suppression, investing in acoustic ceiling tiles will, in turn, be an investment in productivity, comfort, and privacy.
To help you find out which acoustic ceiling tile is the best for your project, we’ve put up a comprehensive buying guide that’ll help you get the value for your money. Ahead, learn all about acoustic ceiling tile materials, features to look for, and more.
What are acoustic ceiling tiles?
Unlike regular ceiling tiles, acoustic ceiling tiles are specially engineered to reduce unwanted noise in a room. These panels are manufactured using materials that don’t reflect sound, which minimises the noise going around and out of a room. Most ceiling tiles work in three ways: either by blocking sound, absorbing it, or diffusing it.
What spaces need acoustic ceiling tiles?
Contrary to popular belief, commercial or occupational spaces like schools, hospitals, offices, recording studios, and movie theatres aren’t the only ones that benefit from the use of acoustic ceiling tiles. Homeowners can utilise them too, especially if they’re building a home theatre or a study.
What are acoustic ceiling tiles made of?
There are a number of materials used in manufacturing ceiling tiles, and each has its own characteristics that may make it more suitable for a project than the other.
Types of acoustic ceiling tile materials
1. Volcanic Rock
Volcanic rock ceiling tiles are made from natural stone formed by volcanic activity, offering a durable, lightweight, and non-combustible alternative to traditional materials like PVC. Their natural composition provides excellent acoustic and thermal insulation, making them ideal for commercial and residential spaces that require sound control and fire resistance. A great example of this is the Stonewall Platinum medical grade Medigrid tile, which uses engineered volcanic stone to deliver both performance and safety without compromising on weight or appearance.
2. Wood
Good at acoustic control, wood ceiling tiles are also a popular choice for their natural aesthetic. Depending on how it’s finished, it can give a touch of elegance to a space. However, it can be prone to termites, rotting, or warping due to environmental conditions. Wood is also quite high-maintenance and costly.
3. Metal
Manufactured from alloys like steel or aluminium, metal ceiling tiles are preferred by those who are looking for a sleek, modern look. Unlike wood, they’re easy to clean and are moisture- and fire-resistant. However, they can be more costly and produce a sound when impacted.
4. PVC
PVC or polyvinyl chloride ceiling tiles are lightweight and resistant to water and mould. This makes them a popular choice for buildings in humid, coastal areas. Due to this feature, PVC makes for a great bacteria-inhibiting and fire-resistant material. Lastly, PVC also comes in a variety of colours and designs, making it versatile for any style.
5. Mineral Fibre
Using a combination of wool and fibreglass, mineral fibre acoustic ceiling tiles are a favourite of many for their affordability. They’re utilised by known brands like Rock SG as they’re known for superior sound absorption. Like PVC, they come in a variety of designs and textures for any application. Lastly, they’re durable but may be susceptible to sagging if used in wet areas and not maintained or treated properly.
6. Fibreglass
Also lightweight, fibreglass is the best option for builders who prioritise ease of installation. They provide excellent sound suppression and are also moisture-proof. However, they can be fragile, so to augment their durability, fibreglass ceiling tiles are often used with resin during installation.
What are the benefits of using acoustic ceiling tiles?
Compared to regular ceiling panels, acoustic ceiling tiles offer a range of benefits that go beyond just noise suppression, making them worth your investment.
Noise Control
As acoustic ceiling tiles have been designed, they offer noise suppression unmatched by regular ceiling tiles. They’re built to absorb the sound waves and prevent them from reverberating in and out of the room.
Sound Quality
Acoustic ceiling tiles don’t just help prevent unwanted noise from coming in or out. It also helps you hear what you need to hear more intelligibly within the room. This means clearer conversations and better understanding for its users.
Privacy
By adding an extra layer of sound control that prevents your conversations from seeping out of the room, acoustic ceiling tiles are perfect for those who prioritise privacy. This makes it a great investment for those building spaces that require such confidentiality, like offices, hospitals, and even homes.
Energy Efficiency
Acoustic ceiling tiles aren’t just made for sound—they multitask too! Due to their material and composition, acoustic ceiling tiles also improve insulation. Like with noise, they help prevent heat from coming in during scorching summers and out during cold winters. This, in turn, reduces your reliance on heating and cooling appliances, saving you dollars in energy bills in the long run.
What features to look for in acoustic ceiling tiles?
Noise Reduction Coefficient (NRC)
The sound absorption of ceiling tiles is usually measured by the Noise Reduction Coefficient (NRC). This measures the percentage of sound that can be absorbed by the material. The higher the NRC is, the better.
Good acoustic ceiling tiles typically start at an NRC of 0.55, like the Lunar tile, which is suitable for general sound absorption and privacy. For spaces where higher acoustic performance is needed, we recommend choosing tiles with an NRC of 0.70 or above — like the MediGrid tile from Stonewall Platinum— to better minimise noise and reduce disturbance.
Ceiling Attenuation Class (CAC)
Next, you also want to make sure that your acoustic ceiling tile properly blocks sound. Check the ceiling tile’s CAC, which measures the amount of decibels the tile blocks from going in or out of a room.
Like with NRC, you want to go for a higher CAC rating as much as possible. Anything less than 25+ would offer subpar blocking. Meanwhile, those with 35+ CAC are considered high quality.
Durability
Sound suppression is nothing if your acoustic ceiling tiles can’t withstand the test of time. It’s better to invest in panels made with sturdy material that’s easy to maintain and clean. If you can get your hands on acoustic ceiling tiles with a decades-long warranty, you can ensure the quality of the product.
Resistance to Elements
Since the acoustic ceiling tiles will be part of your building’s structure, it’s best to ensure that they’re resistant to environmental damage. It always depends on your location and climate. For Western Australia, we recommend getting ceiling tiles that are fire-resistant, especially if near bushfire-prone areas. Choosing ceiling panels with strong moisture- and mould-resistance can also help in surviving our humid and rainy winters.
Ease of Installation
A construction material’s ease of installation is also another huge factor to consider, especially if you’re trying to build within a tight schedule and budget. The harder it is to transport, measure, cut, and install your ceiling panels, the higher labour costs will likely be. We suggest going for lightweight materials, or acoustic ceiling tiles that already come in the colour and finish you want, to minimise the time spent on construction.
What are the best acoustic ceiling tile options?
For all-around acoustic performance: Rock SG Lunar Ceiling Tiles
Rock SG Lunar Ceiling Tiles offer exceptional sound absorption, making them great for any application. Not to mention, they come in fire-rated options and are moisture- and sag-resistant. Whether you’re building offices, schools, or retail spaces in Perth, this acoustic ceiling tile made from wet-formed mineral fibres helps create a pleasing environment without breaking the bank.
For health & safety: Stonewall Platinum Aspect Vivid Medigrid
From hospitals and clinics to aged care centres and schools, where health, safety and acoustic performance are key, the Aspect Medigrid tile is designed to meet the strict requirements in all of these spaces. It offers a compliant, all-in-one solution for demanding environments.
Aside from offering superior acoustic performance, Stonewall Platinum Aspect Vivid Medigrid is also built to meet strict global standards for safety and cleanliness. Non-combustible, waterproof, and easy to clean with bacteria-inhibiting properties, this acoustic ceiling tile also comes in your chosen custom colour. Whether you’re going for white or black ceiling tiles for your space, Medigrid can help make your space visually appealing.
Construct a productive environment with Westgyp
As mentioned, there are a number of factors you need to consider depending on your build’s needs. If you’re still unsure which type of acoustic ceiling tiles are best for your requirements and budget, we’ll help you find the right fit. We at Westgyp have spent over 3 decades supplying building materials to various residential, commercial, and medical construction projects, and we’re here to help you out with yours as well! Contact us today to learn more, and our knowledgeable staff will be here to guide you.