Sound-absorbing curtains in schools and school environments – reduce echo in rooms
A flexible and effective solution for better acoustics in classrooms and common areas
In schools and other educational environments, the sound environment is crucial for both student learning and staff working conditions. Classrooms, corridors, dining rooms, and common areas often have hard surfaces such as glass, concrete, and linoleum, which create echoes and long reverberations. When sound bounces between walls, ceilings, and windows, speech intelligibility is impaired and the sound level is perceived as higher than it actually is. Sound-absorbing curtains are an effective form of sound absorption that help to break up sound reflections and create a calmer and more educationally functional school environment.
What are sound-absorbing curtains?
Sound-absorbing curtains consist of dense and porous textiles designed to absorb sound waves when they hit the surface of the fabric. By reducing reflections in the room, the reverberation time is shortened, which improves speech clarity and concentration. This should not be confused with sound insulation, which stops sound between rooms, or vibration damping, which reduces vibrations and structure-borne noise from installations, for example. Curtains are used to improve the acoustics in the space where the sound occurs.
Common acoustic problems in school environments
Echo and reverberation are common in classrooms with large windows, in dining halls with high ceilings, and in corridors where many students move around at the same time. The teacher's voice can be unclear, students have to strain to hear, and background noise takes over. This affects both the study environment and, ultimately, learning outcomes, especially for younger students and students with concentration difficulties.
How sound-absorbing curtains work in practice
When sound waves hit the curtain fabric, they are slowed down and absorbed into the structure of the material. Curtains that cover larger areas, such as along window walls or glass partitions, help to reduce reflections from otherwise highly sound-reflective surfaces.
Placement at windows and glass partitions
Glass is common in school buildings and reflects sound strongly. Sound-absorbing curtains reduce these reflections and improve the acoustics in classrooms and group rooms.
Complement to wall and ceiling absorbers
In school environments, curtains work excellently as a soft complement to sound absorption on walls and ceilings to create even and balanced attenuation.
Screening in flexible learning environments
Curtains can also be used to divide larger areas and create temporary work zones with an improved sound environment.
Why choose sound-absorbing curtains in schools?
Sound-absorbing curtains have a rapid effect on the sound environment without the need for structural alterations, which is particularly valuable in existing school buildings. The solution is flexible, easy to adapt, and contributes to better speech intelligibility, lower perceived noise levels, and increased study tranquility. In more complex school environments, curtains can be combined with sound insulation or vibration damping for a more comprehensive result.
Well-considered advice for the best results
For the best effect, sound-absorbing curtains should be sufficiently thick and cover a generous area. Larger classrooms and common areas often require multiple sound-absorbing measures, while smaller rooms can be improved with strategically placed curtains. A common mistake is to underestimate the need for absorbent surfaces. The right solution creates a long-term calm, clear, and functional sound environment in the school.
Sound-absorbing curtains are therefore an effective and educationally appropriate choice for schools that want to reduce echo in the room and create better conditions for learning and well-being.