DIY Your Way to Soundproof Your Home: Learn How to Construct Acoustic Wall Panels

Acoustic wall panels are an effective and inexpensive method of reducing reverberation and sound in a home studio, nightclub, or other environment where sound proofing is necessary. Making acoustic wall panels yourself is a great way to save money and take some control over the exact style and size of your panels. It is far from a difficult job and with the right materials and instructions you can create achieving acoustic wall panels to your own specifications in no time at all.

To create your own acoustic wall panels, the first thing to do is to decide on the exact number you need and make sure to have a couple of spares just in case. Generally, the rule of thumb is one panel per 4 foot square section of wall. Once you know an approximate number of panels you need, it’s time to start gathering the materials required. These can be found at most hardware stores, and include 1×4 lumber, insulation material such as rockwool, and fabric to cover the panels and give them a finished look.

Start by building the frame that will house the insulation. Cut four pieces of 1×4 lumber, two 4 foot lengths, and three 3 foot, 10 inch lengths and build a 4 inch deep square frame. Secure the corners with wood glue and then attach the plywood backing, again with wood glue. Leave this overnight to make sure the wood glue has set.

Once the frame is ready, insert the insulation material carefully and evenly, trying not to compress it too much, and make sure all edges are covered with insulation. Since the fabric is for aesthetic purposes only, you can choose a pattern or color you find attractive, but usually 3 yards of material will be more than enough for one panel. Cut and apply the fabric to the frame and metal-staple the seams to secure it. This should be enough to make your panels look finished and professional.

Any DIY project requires a good set of tools, a careful attitude, and adequate knowledge. Building acoustic wall panels is no exception. Follow these steps to make sure you get the job done right, and you will be able to enjoy the comfort and silence of your studio or club in no time.
Making acoustic wall panels is quite a strightforward process. While there are pre-made panels available, it is significantly cheaper to make them yourself. If you are setting up a club, a recording studio, or any other location that might generate a lot of noise, acoustic wall panels will be a necessity.

To make acoustic wall panels, you will need a few pieces of lumber, some insulation material, and a fabric to finish the panels with. Measure the area you need to cover, and multiply that by four to get the total square feet (e.g. the total area of a 4 foot square section of wall). This will be the amount of acoustic wall panels you will need. The lumber you get should be 1×4 dimensions, and the optimal insulation material is rockwool. You will also need 3 yards of fabric for every panel.

The first step of building the frames for your wall panels is to cut your lumber into four pieces. For each panel, this will consist of two 4-foot long pieces and three 3-foot 10 inch lengths. You should use wood glue to attach them to each other, forming a square. To help this process, you can get pre-made frames. Once done, glue a 4-foot square piece of plywood to the back of the frame. After that, leave it overnight for the wood glue to dry.

Once the frame is dry and the box is complete, you can fill it with the cushioning material. Take care to not compress the insulation too much, as it can make it less effective in absorbing sound. Fill all four corners of the frame, making sure not to leave any gaps.

With the frame filled, you can turn your attention to the fabric. Cut it so that it covers the entire frame, overlapping each side by an inch. The edges of the fabric should fold over the frame slightly, where you can use glue to attach it to a more permanent finish.

Now that all the components of the acoustic wall panel are prepared, you can put them together. Trim down any excess material on the fabric and make sure that all the panels are flush. Glue the back side of the fabric to the insulation, making sure there are no holes or gaps. You can also use an appropriate type of glue to attach the fabric on the edges of the frames.

That’s it! It may sound daunting at first but making acoustic wall panels is not that difficult of a task. With a few tools, some lumber, insulation, and fabric, you can greatly reduce the noise in your space and save money as well.