How do I Compare Brands and Types of Acoustic Products?

Before reviewing this, we suggest you read: What is a NRC Rating? For the basics.

When reviewing what product to choose for your acoustic project, it is important to remember that you should be comparing apples to apples.  This means:

• If a product has a NRC rating of 0.35, it will perform significantly less than a product with a NRC rating of 1.0.  More treatment will be required to meet the same reverberation time targets. 
• When reviewing NRC ratings, ensure you are reviewing the correct NRC rating for the mounting method you will be using.  All of My Acoustic Panels NRC ratings are based upon Type A mounting.
• When creating a comparison budget for your project, calculate the total cost of products needed meet your reverberation time targets. 
• Comparing the price of one panel vs. the price of another panel is only useful if the panels have the same NRC rating.
• Comparing the price per square foot of one brand of panels vs another is only useful if the panels have the same NRC rating.
• If you choose to use a mounting method that requires furring, be sure to account for increased cost in furring materials (wood, hardware, fiberglass, etc.) and labour time compared to Type A Mounting.
• Understand the mounting hardware of the acoustic product you are choosing.  The two most common types of mounting hardware are impalement plates and z-clips.  At My Acoustic Panels, we only offer impalement plates. Impalement plates allow panels be be mounted at any angle.  Z-clips require panels to be mounted to align with the clips only. Panels that use Z-clips take longer to install.
• Check the Fire Ratings on any panel you will be installing.  They should have one or both of the following ratings (ASTM E-A84, or CAN/ULC S102).  ASTM E-84 testing is the standard for testing in the United States.  CAN/ULC S102 is the standard for testing in Canada.  My Acoustic Panels has the following fire rating:
• ASTM E-84: Class 1 or A.
• CAN/ULC S102: Class A