How should I pick cubicle walls to minimize sound transmission?
When it comes to planning the acoustics in an open-office environment, Jonathan Webb, product manager, KI, says that cubicle walls are just one part of the recommended “ABC (absorb, block, and cover)” approach to minimizing sound transmission. “Choosing the right workstation materials can only aid in improving acoustics throughout the workplace; it cannot be an end-all solution. Unlike full-height walls, there’s simply too much space above a typical workstation panel to prevent 100-percent blockage of noise,” he says. Experts agree that cubicle walls just don’t play a huge role in reducing noise. “The most important aspects of a work setting are actually the acoustical qualities of the ceilings and floor surfaces,” says Kim Williamson, interior design director, Ellerbe Becket, Minneapolis. “However, when considering the cubicle wall as part of the equation, you need to consider not only the height of the panel, but also the materials on the surfaces. The acoustical qualities of a cubic
