Frequently Asked Questions

Sound absorption and sound insulation solve different problems. Absorption reduces echo and reverberation inside a room by converting sound-wave energy into heat as it strikes a soft, porous material — that's what every Re-Sound panel does. Insulation prevents sound from passing through a wall or floor into the next room, which requires dense, sealed mass construction. Re-Sound panels improve the acoustics of the space you are in; they are not a soundproofing solution between rooms.

Reverberation is the persistence of sound in a room after the original source has stopped — the "live" quality of a hard-surfaced room. It is measured as RT60: the time it takes a sound to fall by 60 decibels. High reverberation makes speech difficult to understand, raises ambient noise levels, and increases listener fatigue. In offices, restaurants, schools and healthcare environments the recommended RT60 is typically between 0.4 and 0.8 seconds. Re-Sound panels reduce reverberation by absorbing mid- and high-frequency sound — the range where human speech lives.

Three things drive room acoustics: the volume of the space, the materials on its surfaces, and the function it serves. Hard, smooth surfaces (concrete, glass, tile, parquet) reflect sound and create echo. Soft, porous surfaces (textiles, recycled-fibre panels, carpet) absorb it. The larger and harder a space is, the more absorptive surface you need to bring reverberation down to a comfortable level. Re-Sound panels are designed to add that absorptive surface without adding bulk.

They are different ways of expressing the same property: how much sound a material absorbs. αw is the weighted sound absorption coefficient defined by ISO 11654 — a single number from 0 (perfect reflector) to 1.0 (perfect absorber). NRC (Noise Reduction Coefficient, ASTM C423) is the American equivalent, also 0 to 1.0. Class A is the top absorption class in ISO 11654, awarded to materials with αw ≥ 0.9. Several Re-Sound products are Class A rated: the higher the αw, the more absorptive the panel.

As a rule of thumb, plan for absorptive surface equivalent to about 20-30% of the floor area in a typical office, meeting room or restaurant. So a 30 m² room will benefit from roughly 6-9 m² of acoustic panels. The exact figure depends on existing surfaces, ceiling height, and the use case — for a more precise number we are happy to run a Sabine calculation based on your floor plan. Send us the dimensions and we will come back with a recommendation.

Re-Sound panels are designed for B2B interior environments: offices, meeting rooms, open-plan workspaces, lobbies and reception areas, restaurants, hotels, schools and universities, healthcare facilities, libraries, and cultural spaces. They can be wall-mounted, ceiling-mounted or freestanding (Divide), and the wood-veneer ranges (rWood) are suitable for premium, design-led architectural projects where appearance matters as much as performance.

They are three different material families serving different design intents. The textile range (Interior, Solid, Divide) is made from 100% recycled textile fibres with a fabric cover — soft, warm, available in multiple colours, made in Belgium. The rPET range (Panel, Groove, Flex Groove) is made from 100% recycled PET bottles, OEKO-TEX® certified, and can be processed like MDF (cut, mill, paint); ideal for bold colours and custom installations. The rWood range (Groove, Perf, Micro, Panel) combines FSC-certified wood veneer with a recycled-fibre core, giving a premium architectural finish in 8+ wood species; manufactured in Europe.

Fire classification varies by product line. The rPET range is certified B-s1,d0 to EN 13501-1 — suitable for most commercial and public-building applications. The rWood range carries classifications up to B-s2,d0 depending on finish, and the micro-perforated rWood Micro reaches the highest fire safety rating in our catalog. Each product page lists the exact certification, and the test certificates are available as PDF downloads after a quick contact form. For specific project compliance requirements get in touch with the exact classification you need.

Yes — samples are free for qualified B2B requests. Use the contact form on any product page to request samples; specify which colours, finishes or veneers you would like to see. Sample kits are typically shipped within 5 working days within the EU. For larger projects we can also arrange a showroom visit or send a project consultant on site.

Circular at Re-Sound means three things, designed in from the start. First, inputs: we use recycled materials wherever the acoustic performance allows it — 100% recycled textiles in the Interior/Solid/Divide range, 100% recycled PET in the rPET range, and a recycled-fibre core under the FSC-certified veneer of the rWood range. Second, end of life: every Re-Sound panel can be returned to us through our free take-back service, and the materials are reprocessed into new panels or new raw material rather than going to landfill. Third, design: connections (magnetic, mechanical, hook systems) are reversible so panels can be removed without destruction, allowing reconfiguration during the building's life.

At end of life — when a building is being refurbished or the panels are being replaced — Re-Sound will collect the panels from your site, free of charge within Belgium and at logistics cost in the rest of the EU. We then process them back into raw material: textile panels are shredded and re-spun into new fibre; rPET panels are reground and re-pressed; rWood cores are separated from the veneer and reused. To initiate a return, contact us with the original delivery reference and approximate volume.

Recycled content varies by product family. The textile range (Interior, Solid, Divide) is made from recycled textile fibres with high recycled content. The rPET range uses 100% post-consumer recycled PET (the actual bottle-equivalent count varies by panel size — roughly 60 bottles per standard Groove panel). The rWood range uses a high recycled-fibre core with FSC-certified veneer on the visible face. Detailed material breakdowns and EPD documentation are available on each product page and on request.

Standard catalog items ship within 2-3 weeks from order confirmation across the EU. Custom sizes, custom colours, or large project quantities typically run 4-6 weeks. For projects on a deadline, contact us with the timeline and we will confirm what is achievable before order placement.

Use the contact form on any product page, or the general contact form, with: the product line you are interested in, approximate quantities or floor plan, and your project timeline. We will respond within one working day with a tailored quote, sample arrangement, and a calculation of expected acoustic improvement. For larger projects we can attend a site visit or briefing call.