Our acoustic panels are designed to absorb sound, not block it. These are two different things — and understanding the difference is key to getting the right solution for your space. 

Sound absorption (measured by NRC) reduces echo and reverberation within a room. When sound waves hit our micro-perforated tin panels paired with 2" acoustical pads, the energy is captured rather than bouncing back into the space. This is what makes conversations clearer and rooms feel quieter and more comfortable. 

Sound blocking (measured by STC or CAC) prevents sound from traveling between rooms — through walls, floors, or ceilings. That requires dense, heavy barrier materials and is a different type of acoustic treatment. 

Our panels achieve an NRC rating of 0.85 when paired with our 2" acoustical pads — certified by Riverbank Acoustical Laboratories, an NVLAP-accredited testing facility. That means they absorb approximately 85% of the sound energy that hits them, dramatically reducing room echo and reverberation. If your goal is to make a loud restaurant more comfortable for conversation, reduce the "buzz" in an open office, or improve audio clarity in a conference room or home theater, these panels are exactly the right solution. 

Yes — and in fact, high-ceiling spaces are where acoustic treatment makes the biggest difference. The taller the ceiling, the more distance sound waves travel before bouncing back, which creates longer reverberation times and more noticeable echo. Hard, untreated ceilings are often the single largest reflective surface in a room. 

Our acoustic panels with an NRC rating of 0.85 — certified by an independent, NVLAP-accredited acoustical laboratory — absorb up to 85% of the sound energy that strikes them, making them highly effective at reducing that overhead echo. Testing showed absorption coefficients at or above 0.89 across the entire 250 Hz–1000 Hz speech range, meaning these panels are especially strong where it matters most for conversation clarity. Whether installed as a Drop-In ceiling or Nail-Up application, they intercept sound waves before they can bounce around the room and build up into distracting noise. 

For very tall spaces (like double-height lobbies or converted lofts), ceiling treatment is often the first and most impactful step. Pairing ceiling panels with soft furnishings, rugs, or wall treatments at lower levels creates a layered approach that manages sound from multiple angles. 

Very little. Our acoustic panels feature the same authentic stamped tin patterns and are available in the same range of over 50 colors and finishes as our standard panels. The key visual difference is that acoustic panels have a micro-perforation pattern — tiny holes just 0.026" (about half a millimeter) in diameter — punched into the face of the tile. 

These perforations are what allow sound waves to pass through the tin surface and into the acoustical pad behind, where the energy is absorbed. From a normal viewing distance below the ceiling, the micro-perforations are virtually invisible. The overall look, texture, and character of the pattern remain the same — you get the design aesthetic of authentic tin with acoustic performance built in. 

Our acoustic panels are available across a range of our most popular patterns. Each pattern is offered in both Nail-Up and Drop-In installation types, and you can choose from over 50 colors and finishes — including our best-selling options and custom Artisan finishes. 

To see the full selection, visit our acoustic tile collection or contact our design team at 888.231.7500 for help choosing the right pattern for your space. We also offer free design assistance to help you find the right fit. 

Absolutely — these are among the most popular applications for our acoustic tiles. Each of these environments has hard surfaces (tile floors, glass walls, concrete, exposed ceilings) that cause sound to bounce and build up, making it hard to hold conversations or concentrate. 

With an NRC rating of 0.85, our panels absorb up to 85% of that reflected sound energy, which dramatically reduces background noise, echo, and the overall "loudness" of a room. Specifically: 

• Restaurants & bars: Reduce the escalating din that forces diners to shout over each other. Guests stay longer and enjoy their experience more. 
• Offices & open workspaces: Improve speech clarity and reduce distracting background noise so teams can focus and communicate effectively. 
• Conference rooms: Tame echo so video calls, presentations, and conversations are crisp and intelligible. 

Our panels are also widely used in lobbies, retail shops, libraries, courthouses, media rooms, cafés, and kitchens. They combine real acoustic performance with the design appeal of authentic tin, so you don't have to sacrifice style for function. 

Yes. Our perforated acoustic tin panels have been tested by Commercial Testing Company (Dalton, GA) in accordance with ASTM E84-16 — the industry-standard fire test for surface burning characteristics, required by the International Building Code for interior wall and ceiling finishes. 

The panels carry a Class A fire rating, which is the highest classification available: 

• Flame Spread Index (FSI): 15 — well within the Class A threshold of 0–25 
• Smoke Developed Index (SDI): 5 — far below the maximum allowable SDI of 450 

Fire rating test results are available for download on our website. 

Yes — our panels are made from authentic T1 grade tin-plated steel, manufactured in the USA at our facility in Palmetto, Florida. They are real metal panels, not plastic, faux-tin, or composite alternatives. 

The tin-plated steel is press-formed into each decorative pattern using precision tooling, then finished with our powder coat or Artisan hand-finish processes. The acoustic versions use the same steel substrate (0.010" thick) with micro-perforations that allow sound waves to pass through the tin surface and into the 2" thick acoustical pad behind it, where the sound energy is absorbed. This means you get the durability, quality, and authentic character of real metal with acoustic performance built in. 

Yes. Our Drop-In acoustic panels fit into all standard 2' x 2' ceiling grid systems (15/16" wide T-bar), which are designed to integrate with recessed lighting, HVAC diffusers, sprinkler heads, and other ceiling-mounted components. You simply leave grid openings where fixtures need to go, just as you would with any drop-ceiling tile. 

For Nail-Up installations, recessed lighting can be accommodated by cutting openings in the panels to fit your fixtures — our tin-plated steel can be cut with standard tin snips or a hole saw. We recommend planning your lighting layout before installation so cutouts align cleanly with the panel pattern. 

If you have questions about integrating specific fixtures or systems with your acoustic ceiling, our design team is happy to help with layout planning. Call us at 888.231.7500 or use our free design service.