Fire Rating
Confirm Class A rating in accordance with:
- ASTM-E84
Fiber Content
Fibers that are stable and work well:
- Polyester
- Polyolefin
Fibers that work but may require additional stabilization:
- Cotton
- Silk
- Wool
Fibers that are unstable and should be avoided:
- Nylon
- Rayon
- Viscose
Acoustical
Acoustical panels should be faced with an open weave, unbacked fabric that allows air to pass through it easily. If not, it should be avoided.
Tackable
Panels being used as a tackable surface should be faced with a fabric constructed with a plain weave from durable fibers like polyester and should have self-healing characteristics. Satin weaves are not recommended.
Transparency
Some light colored or lightweight fabrics may be visually transparent in certain lighting conditions. They diminish visual appeal by allowing the panel components to be seen. When selected, these fabrics will require a liner fabric and increase installation costs.
Backing
Knit backings and lightweight acrylic backings can be used with success but acoustical performance may be diminished. Paper backed fabrics do not work.
Patterns/Repeats
The Whisper Wall stretching system track allows for the precise matching of both patterns and repeats at seam locations. In general, smaller patterns and repeats reduce waste and installation cost.