As we’ve previously discussed, having the right floor installed in your new recording studio is one of the best investments you can make. After all, sound waves travel through certain substances and bounce off others.
This is also true of ceilings. However, there are fewer options to choose from with ceiling materials, making the selection process a bit easier. Of course, while the average person might know a few things about flooring options, they probably know less about the different kinds of ceiling tiles out there. This is where Ozburn-Hessey can step in to help.
How to Remodel a Ceiling for a Recording Studio
What Are Acoustic Ceiling Tiles?
As anyone with a working studio in Nashville will tell you, acoustical ceiling tiles are an absolute must. But there is a big difference between the ceiling tiles you dozed off under in high school and the ones you want in your new recording studio. Although any ceiling tile is going to affect the acoustics of a room, the ones you want are specifically designed to improve sound quality.
Acoustic tiles are generally made from mineral fiber, but other materials such as tin, fiberglass, or even wood are often used. The important thing to look for is the Noise Reduction Coefficient (NRC) rating. This rating system is used to measure sound absorption on a scale of zero to one. Since these tiles are going to be installed in a recording studio, you’ll want to choose something something on the higher end of the scale.
Do All Acoustic Tiles Look the Same?
One of the most common way to install acoustical ceiling tiles is via a drop ceiling. When people think about drop ceilings, they often think of the the white, vaguely dull looking ceilings found in offices around the country. Since aesthetics are one of our core values here at Ozburn-Hessey, we are happy to report that this need not be the case. Ozburn-Hessey works with some of the finest manufacturers to make sure that the product installed looks as good as it sounds. Since mineral fiber is the most common material used, a variety of colors and styles are available.
Are Acoustic Tiles Expensive?
Obviously there are a lot of factors to take into account when calculating the price, but in general you’re probably looking at spending something in the neighborhood of $1,500 for the whole installation process. While doing the installation yourself is possible, it is not something we recommend given the risk of an incorrect installation leading to more problems later on. If you want to try your hand at installation, however, individual acoustic ceiling tiles usually cost somewhere around $1.80 - $6.60 per square foot. Pricing always depends on the size of the space you need to cover.
Having the right ceiling in place will do wonders for the sound quality of your recording studio and can make or break the whole room, even if you have the correct materials in place on every other surface. Don’t leave the ceiling to chance. When you decide to take the next step on your recording studio, remember that the professionals at Ozburn-Hessey are ready and willing to help you every step of the way.