Sound control can be poor in open-plan spaces or those with hard surfaces and mezzanine levels. This can turn small distractions into big workflow problems. However, the office’s acoustics solutions make a workplace feel focused, comfortable, and organised.
At First Floors, we’ve seen how quickly noise builds up and how sound can disrupt productivity. Whether it’s the hum of machines, overlapping chatter, or the noise bouncing between floors, it can be a real pain. Without acoustic planning, it’s harder for teams to focus, meet in private, or communicate clearly. According to the British Journal of Psychology, productivity can fall by up to 66% due to nearby conversation alone.
This guide explains how acoustic solutions work. We will show you where they add value and how systems like suspended ceilings and acoustic partitioning can improve your space. This way, you can improve your acoustic performance without any costly relocation.
What Are Office Acoustics Solutions & How Do They Work?
Office acoustics solutions are design features and materials that manage sound behaviour in a workspace. They reduce echo, limit how far noise travels, and improve clarity in both quiet and collaborative zones.
There are two core ways they work:
Absorption Helps Reduce Echoes
Soft materials like ceiling tiles, acoustic panels, and carpets absorb sound waves before they bounce around the room. This reduces reverberation, particularly in offices with hard surfaces or high ceilings. As a result, it’s easier to hear and concentrate.
Insulation Blocks Sound Between Spaces
Where privacy matters, physical barriers are important. Partition walls, laminated glass, and insulated ceiling systems block sound altogether. These can all help stop noise from leaking between meeting rooms, breakout areas, and workstations.
At First Floors, we often use a mix of both. Whether designing a new workspace or adapting an existing mezzanine, we aim always to make the space work better for the people using it.
Best Office Acoustics Solutions for Reducing Noise
The most effective sound control upgrades are the ones that fit your space and workflow. Our experts use proven systems to increase acoustics without overcomplicating your layout. Two key elements in our office fit-out services are suspended ceilings and acoustic partitioning.
Suspended Ceilings
Installing a suspended ceiling is one of the most straightforward ways to improve sound control. It works exceptionally well in offices with high ceilings, hard flooring, or mezzanine structures. Acoustic ceiling tiles absorb echo and reduce the “buzz” that often builds up in open spaces. The suspended grid also conceals wiring, lighting, and ductwork, helping your office stay tidy and compliant.
We use ceiling systems that comply with UK fire safety standards. We can also add thermal insulation to boost your building’s energy performance, which is a key aspect of Part L of the Building Regulations. Our team optimised a mezzanine office in a West London project by adding suspended ceilings on both levels. This change lowered noise transmission and helped create a more professional workspace.
Acoustic Partitioning
Partitioning plays a dual role: shaping your layout and managing how sound travels between zones. Our acoustic partitioning systems aim to reduce distractions near desks. They also boost privacy in meeting rooms and provide hybrid teams with quiet areas for focused work.
We offer solid and glazed options, including systems with up to 52 dB of sound reduction. Glazed partitions use laminated acoustic glass for a light, modern look. They are perfect for businesses that want a quieter workspace and allow natural light and visibility.
Building Acoustics into a Mezzanine Workspace
Adding a mezzanine floor is a clever way to create more office space without expanding your footprint. However, ignoring sound control can lead to more disruptions than benefits. Sound travels easily between floors; without acoustic treatment, the upper and lower levels can compete for focus.
Our team of experts integrate sound control into our mezzanine office floors from the start. This involves installing suspended ceilings to soak up sound from above. We can also add insulated walls to reduce noise between departments. Meeting areas can also be created where teams can work or collaborate without distractions.
For a project with 288 Group in Poole, we converted a mezzanine storage area into a lecture theatre. We installed acoustic suspended ceilings and fire-rated partitions. This made a big difference in sound quality for presentations. For us, it’s about building a space that looks the part and functions the way your team needs it to.
Make Sound Control Work for Your Workspace
Office acoustics solutions reduce noise and can shape how your team experiences the space. If you need to tame noise in an open-plan area, create privacy in a meeting room, or optimise a mezzanine office, the proper sound control setup can help. It can make your workplace more productive, comfortable, and efficient.
At First Floors, we’ve installed suspended ceilings, acoustic partitioning, and mezzanine floors for over 30 years. We tailor each solution to suit how your team works, helping you meet practical needs without the cost or disruption of relocating. So, do you need help reducing noise in your office?
Call 01789 764172 or get a free quote online, and we’ll help you create a quieter, more focused space that works for your business.