1 of 3

Grove Avenue Baptist Church in Richmond, Virginia, used to have a serious sound problem. According to Mark Jenkins, minister of media at the 1,500-seat church, the round brick building the congregation has been worshiping in for 23 years had so much reverberation that it was almost impossible for a sound system to operate properly. Though many solutions to their sound woes had been explored, including new sound systems, all found limited success.

Finally, as part of a building program, Mark Jenkins and the building committee hired a sound consultant, who used a computer program to analyze the acoustical characteristics of the sanctuary. The program clearly showed the need for sound reverberation treatment and predicted what type of results could be expected from different remedies. Acoustic panels were recommended and approved.

Approximately 1,500 square feet of panels were strategically placed on the sanctuary walls, with models ranging in size from 16 feet by 6 feet to 4 feet by 1.5 feet. A typical 4-by-10-foot panel, 2 inches thick, cost $280, not installed. Smaller panels have higher costs per square foot.

In Grove Avenue's case, the improvement in sound was immediate and very significant. Reverberation was virtually eliminated and acoustics were improved in all areas of the sanctuary, says Jenkins.

A similar but even more pronounced reverberation problem existed in Grove Avenue's gymnasium. A year after solving the sound problem in its sanctuary, the church contracted with Acoustical Solutions in Richmond, Virginia, to install acoustic panels on the walls and ceiling of the church gymnasium. The improvement in the gymnasium was even more dramatic than in the sanctuary, allowing the gym to be used for social activities.

Acoustic panels can have the same positive effects on your church's sound situation. But what are they? And how can you know if they'll help?

The what. Depending on the manufacturer, acoustic panels may be constructed on a metal or rigid board base and faced with a variety of fiberglass soundproofing material. They come in various sizes from as small as 18 inches by 48 inches to as large as 6 feet by 19 feet. Very durable, most panels are approximately 2 inches thick.

Some wall panels may be covered in fabric, but ceiling panels are usually hardboard or metal with painted fiberglass facing. Different colors and fabrics are available. Both painted and fabric panels are easily cleaned. "The fabric can be cleaned with regular spray-on carpet or upholstery cleaner," says Don Strahle of Acoustical Solutions.

The panels are not difficult to install and come with installation brackets. They may be installed flush to the walls or ceiling or offset by several inches.

The how. The effects of installing acoustic panels can be predicted quite accurately based on proven analysis programs. Sound companies can do much of the required analysis without even seeing the facility.

To determine the quality, size, and placement of panels your room will need, the current reverberation time of the room will need to be calculated. The reverberation time is the time required for reflected sound to deteriorate below the level of hearing. A reverberation time report on a room requires knowing the length, width, and height of the room, and the existing building materials of the walls, ceiling, and floor. All building materials have some sound absorption properties, and these are considered in the analysis.

next page... |  1 of 3

share this page