The Benefits of Wood Slat Walls: Enhancing Acoustics With Felt Right’s Felt-Backed Wood Slat Panels

Wood slat walls have become increasingly popular in modern interior design, thanks to their versatility, aesthetic appeal, and functional benefits. One of the standout advantages of these stylish features is their ability to improve the acoustics in a room. When paired with innovative sound-dampening materials like Felt Right’s felt-backed panels, wood slat walls offer an excellent solution for creating both a visually stunning and acoustically balanced environment. In this blog, we’ll explore the many benefits of installing wood slat walls. 

Wood Slat Panels for Walls

Wood slat panels for walls are an excellent option if you’re looking to add both visual interest and acoustic control. They work particularly well in rooms where sound absorption is important, such as home offices, living rooms, or entertainment spaces. Installing wood slats on the walls helps diffuse sound waves and reduce echo, creating a more balanced acoustic environment. The vertical or horizontal arrangement of slats can also make a space feel taller or wider, enhancing the room’s visual proportions.

Best for:

• Rooms with high foot traffic or noise, like living rooms or offices.
• Accent walls that create a focal point while improving sound quality.
• Spaces that need both aesthetic appeal and functional acoustic support.

Acoustic Performance and Versatility of Felt-Backed Wood Slat Panels

One of the greatest strengths of wood slat walls is their versatility, making them a stylish choice for any space — whether it’s a bedroom, living room, office, or restaurant. Each box comes with two panels measuring 94.49 inches in length, and they can be arranged horizontally or vertically to suit your design preference. You can also add more panels to create a seamless wood slat pattern across an entire wall.

Beyond their aesthetic appeal, Felt Right's Wood Acoustic Wall Panels offer impressive sound absorption capabilities. With a Noise Reduction Coefficient (NRC) of 0.55, they absorb 55% of reflected sound, enhancing the acoustics of any room. These panels are particularly effective at absorbing higher frequencies, especially those critical to human speech (1.4 kHz to 8 kHz), where they achieve 60-100% absorption. This makes them an excellent choice for spaces where reducing noise is just as important as enhancing the décor.

Felt Right’s Felt-Backed Wood Slat Panels

Felt Right stands out by incorporating 50% reclaimed single-use PET plastic, which is made through upcycling post-consumer plastic bottles. In addition to being better for the environment, the PET process avoids using harmful red-list chemicals. 

The felt material is excellent at capturing and trapping sound waves, reducing the amount of noise that bounces around the space. This is particularly beneficial in environments where clear communication and sound clarity are crucial, such as open office plans, home theaters, or busy households.

The added sound-dampening effect of Felt Right’s panels makes them ideal for spaces where acoustic comfort is a priority. Whether you’re trying to reduce background noise in a living room or create a more focused atmosphere in a workspace, these felt-backed panels offer a powerful solution.

Installing and Cutting Felt-Backed Wood Slat Panels

Installing Felt Right’s wood acoustic wall panels is a straightforward process that can elevate both the aesthetics and acoustics of any room. To ensure a seamless installation, it's important to have the right tools and follow the recommended steps.

Installation Instructions

Before starting, make sure to read through the installation PDF for detailed guidance. You’ll need a level, drill, and at least six black drywall screws per panel. The panels measure 94.49 inches in length and 12.60 inches in width, and they should be secured through the felt backing. Place two screws horizontally, spaced 7.5 inches apart, and three vertically, spaced 31.5 inches apart. This ensures the panels are securely fastened to the wall.

Be sure to use the correct fixings for your wall type, whether it's drywall, brick, or stucco, as these panels are not suitable for float mount installations without a framework. For any installation questions, feel free to contact support at support@feltright.com.

Cutting Instructions

If you need to cut the panels for a custom fit, you’ll require some additional tools: a circular saw, utility knife, tape measure, and masking tape. For width-wise cuts, adjust the circular saw blade to 0.5 inches to cut through the MDF, and use a utility knife to slice through the felt backing. To prevent chipping, apply masking tape over the veneer before cutting and go slowly for the best results.

For length-wise cuts, use a utility knife to make several passes through the felt until the cut is complete. Always measure and mark your cuts in advance, and consider watching the instructional video for cutting techniques to ensure a precise finish.

Take Sound Dampening to the Next Level

Wood slat walls offer a multitude of benefits, from their visual appeal to their acoustic advantages. When combined with the innovative felt backing from Felt Right, these walls become an even more powerful tool for creating a balanced, aesthetically pleasing, and acoustically comfortable space.

If you’re looking to enhance the acoustics in your home or office while also adding a touch of modern style, Felt Right’s felt-backed wood slat wall panels provide the perfect solution. Their sound-dampening properties, combined with the natural beauty of wood, make them a standout choice for anyone seeking both form and function in their interior design.