What do you when you want to use a fabric for acoustic panels, but don’t have the NRC data to know whether it will result in peaceful bliss or a cacophony of noise? Sometimes an old fashioned trick is just what you need in a pinch.

One simple trick

Hold the fabric to your mouth, and blow air through it, taking note of how much resistance you feel when you blow through it. (Note: You may want to order multiple samples if you and a colleague are both going to perform this test). The less resistance, the better the fabric will likely allow sound to pass through it to the sound absorbing material that will be behind the fabric.

Of course, the best route is to have the fabric tested, or choose from our collection of independently tested patterns and consult with an Acoustician or an expert in the field.