What usually goes wrong
- The sermon is hard to follow at the back.
- The rear wall echoes.
- The band sounds muddy.
The main noise sources are speech, choir, organ or band, and the sound system. Sound bounces off hard walls, floors and ceilings, so it lingers and builds up. Absorbing panels soak up those reflections.
Where the panels go
- The rear wall first.
- Upper side walls.
- Leave the platform area reflective for choirs and congregational singing.
Mistakes to avoid
- Over-deadening a room built for congregational singing.
- Placing panels where they block stained glass or architecture.
Fire rating and codes
Assembly occupancy: Class A finishes are generally required.
Blocking sound between rooms
Panels make a room sound better, but they don’t stop sound passing through a wall. For that you need a wall assembly rated around STC 50, between the sanctuary and classrooms or offices. Read about STC ratings and soundproofing.
Recommended
Panels that suit sanctuaries
Learning center
14 guides for sanctuaries
Acoustic panels for sanctuaries: the complete guideWhat makes sanctuaries noisy, which panels fix it, and how to plan treatment from start to finish.How many acoustic panels does a house of worship need?A worked Sabine calculation for a typical sanctuary, with panel counts for small, typical and large rooms.Where to put acoustic panels in a house of worshipWhere panels do the most good in sanctuaries, in priority order.Wall acoustics for sanctuariesHow walls behave acoustically in sanctuaries and how to treat them with panels.Ceiling acoustics for sanctuariesClouds, baffles and ceiling tiles for sanctuaries, and how much of the ceiling to cover.Choosing panel thickness for a house of worship1, 2 or 4 inches: which thickness suits sanctuaries and why.Reverberation time targets for sanctuariesThe reverberation time to aim for in sanctuaries, and why it matters.What acoustic treatment costs for a house of worshipBudget estimates for treating a typical sanctuary, and where the money goes.Fabrics, colors and shapes for sanctuariesFabric types, colors and shapes that work in sanctuaries.Fire ratings and code requirements for panels in sanctuariesFire ratings, occupancy rules and mounting requirements for panels in sanctuaries.Installing acoustic panels in a house of worshipTools, hardware and step-by-step installation for panels in sanctuaries.Common acoustic mistakes in sanctuariesThe errors we see most often in sanctuaries, and how to avoid them.Soundproofing and STC ratings for sanctuariesWhen sanctuaries need soundproofing, which STC rating to aim for, and how to get there.House of worship acoustics checklist and FAQA one-page checklist and answers to common questions about sanctuary acoustics.