The Cost of Office Noise
Noise is one of the most persistent complaints in modern offices, yet it remains one of the least addressed. Research from the Leesman Index found that noise levels are important to 71% of employees, yet only 33% find them satisfactory in their workplace. That gap represents a measurable drag on staff satisfaction, retention and daily output. For businesses across Johannesburg, Cape Town, Durban and Pretoria, the cost of ignoring office acoustics shows up in lost productivity, higher absenteeism and lower employee engagement. Acoustic panels offer a targeted, practical way to close this gap without redesigning the floor plan.
How Noise Reduces Productivity
Not all noise affects concentration equally. Irrelevant speech, the kind that drifts across desks in an open-plan layout, is the most disruptive. Banbury and Berry (2005) demonstrated in the British Journal of Psychology that irrelevant speech reduces cognitive performance by 5 to 10% on tasks requiring focused attention. When multiplied across an entire office and a full working day, even a modest reduction in focus translates into significant losses.
“Acoustic privacy is one of the biggest challenges in contemporary workplaces and has detrimental effects on productivity.”
Leesman, The Leesman Index
The problem is compounded by hard surfaces that are common in commercial interiors: glass partitions reflect sound rather than absorb it, polished concrete floors bounce conversations across the room, and plasterboard walls do little to dampen noise. Acoustic panels work by absorbing this reflected sound energy, reducing reverberation time and lowering the overall ambient noise level. Our office acoustics overview explains how different panel configurations address these challenges.
Open-Plan Office Solutions
Open-plan layouts present the greatest acoustic challenge because sound travels freely between workstations. Kim and de Dear (2013), publishing in the Journal of Environmental Psychology, found that workers in open-plan offices report 25% worse ability to concentrate and 23% less satisfaction with their work environment compared to those in private offices. Speech spill between desks is the primary culprit, and glass partitions, while visually appealing, reflect sound rather than absorb it.
Effective treatment typically combines wall-mounted acoustic panels to reduce lateral reflections, suspended ceiling clouds or baffles to control overhead reverberation, and desk-mounted screens to limit direct speech spill. PET felt panels are well suited to this layered approach because they are lightweight, easy to install and available in configurations that suit different ceiling heights and wall areas. The result is a measurable reduction in background noise without sacrificing the collaborative benefits of an open layout.
Meeting Rooms and Boardrooms
Meeting rooms and boardrooms present a different acoustic problem. These enclosed spaces often have hard, reflective surfaces on every boundary, creating excessive reverberation that muddles speech. This is particularly disruptive during video conferences, where microphones pick up reflected sound and remote participants struggle to follow the conversation. Wall panels and ceiling treatments reduce reverberation time, improving speech clarity for both in-person meetings and virtual calls.
For boardrooms where aesthetics are a priority, CNC-routed PET felt panels serve a dual purpose: they provide effective acoustic absorption while functioning as a design feature. Panels can be shaped with custom patterns and finished in colours that complement the room's interior. Our colour library includes 48 options across neutral, warm and bold palettes, giving designers flexibility to match any corporate identity.
Breakout Spaces and Reception Areas
Breakout areas, kitchens and reception zones often sit adjacent to focused work areas, and noise from these spaces carries easily through open-plan offices. Acoustic baffles suspended from the ceiling help define zones and reduce sound transfer, while wall panels in these transitional spaces absorb noise at the source. In reception areas, where first impressions matter, CNC-cut panels can double as branded design features. Our art installations page shows examples of how custom panels combine acoustic function with visual impact.
Choosing the Right Panel Configuration
The right acoustic solution depends on the specific noise problem and the room's characteristics. PET felt panels are available in three thicknesses, each with a different Noise Reduction Coefficient (NRC): 12mm panels achieve an NRC of 0.45, suitable for light treatment in smaller rooms; 18mm panels reach 0.65, appropriate for most office applications; and 24mm panels deliver an NRC of 0.80, ideal for meeting rooms, boardrooms and high-noise environments. All three thicknesses can be CNC-routed for custom patterns and are available in 48 colours. Visit our materials page for full specifications on thickness, density and acoustic performance data.
“Workers in open-plan offices report 25% worse ability to concentrate and 23% less satisfaction with their work environment compared to private offices.”
Kim & de Dear, 2013, Journal of Environmental Psychology
Why PET Felt Works in Commercial Environments
PET felt acoustic panels are manufactured from Recycled PET plastic, making them a responsible material choice for commercial interiors. They are fire rated for use in office buildings, low VOC, non-toxic and moisture-resistant. Unlike fabric-wrapped alternatives, PET felt does not harbour dust or allergens, requires no specialist cleaning and retains its acoustic performance over time. These properties make it particularly practical for high-traffic commercial spaces where durability and hygiene matter. Browse our installation gallery to see completed office projects across South Africa.
Acoustic Assessments for South African Offices
Every office is different, and the most effective acoustic treatment starts with an understanding of the specific noise challenges in your space. We offer acoustic assessments for offices in Johannesburg, Cape Town, Durban, Pretoria and throughout South Africa. An assessment identifies the primary noise sources, measures reverberation times and recommends a panel configuration tailored to your space, budget and design requirements. Get in touch to book an assessment or discuss your project with our team.