Recycled PET Felt vs Acoustic Foam Panels
Acoustic foam is inexpensive and quick to mount, but polyurethane foam typically performs poorly in fire tests, can crumble with age, and is not recyclable. Recycled PET felt panels cost more, hold their shape, have a reaction-to-fire classification pending supplier test documentation, and are recyclable where facilities accept the material.
Choose recycled PET felt for occupied rooms, commercial fit-outs and anywhere fire classification or service life matters. Foam suits low-risk, temporary or acoustic-only applications where fire performance is not regulated.
Side by side
| Recycled PET felt | Acoustic foam | |
|---|---|---|
| Material | Needle-punched post-consumer recycled PET felt | Polyurethane (PU) or melamine foam |
| Typical NRC | Up to 1.0 measured to ASTM C423, thickness and mounting dependent | Varies with thickness and profile — take the value from the specific product test report |
| Fire behaviour | Pending supplier test documentation — no fire class is published until the report is held | In reaction-to-fire testing, polyurethane foam typically performs less well than felt or mineral wool; melamine foam typically performs better than PU, but results vary product by product |
| Indoor air quality | Emissions documentation issued with the specification | PU foams typically release more volatile compounds than felt; older foam can crumble and shed particles |
| Lifespan | Holds shape; does not crumble | Degrades with age, UV exposure and handling |
| Appearance | Matte felt in 16 stock colours, plus laser-cut patterns | Recognisable studio wedges; limited colours, hard to integrate |
| End of life | Panel core recyclable where facilities accept it | Not recyclable in practice; usually landfill |
Where recycled PET felt wins
- • Offices, hospitality, education and residential interiors
- • Any space where fire classification forms part of the specification
- • Rooms that must stay clean and hold their appearance
Where the alternative wins
- • Temporary or home setups where cost decides
- • Acoustic-only treatment where fire performance is not regulated
- • Deep corner bass traps where a low-cost thick absorber helps
NRC values are measured to ASTM C423 and depend on thickness and mounting method. Our reaction-to-fire classification is pending supplier test documentation — we publish no fire class until the report is held, and these panels are not fire barriers. We do not currently hold an ASTM E84 classification. Recycled-content and recyclability claims apply to the panel core. Comparative statements describe typical products in each category, not any specific manufacturer: alternative-product figures are indicative category ranges from published sources and are not a statement about any named product. Always take performance values from the specific product's own test report.
Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Other comparisons
Recycled PET Felt vs Wood Slat Acoustic Panels
Recycled PET Felt vs Fibreglass and Mineral Wool Absorbers
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