Did you know that excessive noise in classrooms can cause students to miss up to 25% of information? By incorporating solutions like acoustic flooring, such as acoustic-backed carpet tiles, schools can create a  calmer and more effective learning environment. This is because acoustic flooring helps alleviate challenges posed by disruptive noise, promoting a quieter, more focused atmosphere for learning.

Research highlights the detrimental effects of noise pollution in classrooms, which can disrupt students learning, attention span, memory, and motivation. Beyond cognitive struggles, constant noise exposure can lead to higher stress hormone levels and increased blood pressure in children. This issue is even more pronounced for children with ADHD, as they are particularly sensitive to distractions, resulting in heightened hyperactivity and a decline in academic performance, according to findings from the Institution of Engineering and Technology.

Therefore, addressing excessive noise levels in the classroom benefits all students, even those with special needs.

Acoustic backing refers to a specialised layer added to carpets that is specifically designed to improve sound insulation and reduce noise transmission.

Sound travels in waves, and when these waves hit a soft, dense, or porous material, part of the sound energy is absorbed and converted into heat, reducing the amount of sound that passes through. By absorbing sound waves, acoustic flooring helps minimise noise.

At Heckmondwike, acoustic backing is made from felt, which boasts a dense structure that helps absorb sound waves and reduce noise transmission in a room. This makes acoustic tiles particularly beneficial in environments like lecture theatres in schools, where sound control is essential.

Beyond its acoustic benefits, felt offers several additional advantages. Its soft, cushioned feel underfoot enhances comfort and contributes to thermal insulation, making the space slightly warmer compared to other backing materials. The dense fibre structure also makes the felt highly resilient, preventing matting and compression and ultimately increasing the carpet’s lifespan.

Moreover, since the felt is made from synthetic fibres, it is more moisture-resistant than other materials, helping to prevent the growth of bacteria and mould under the carpet. This is especially important in schools, where maintaining hygiene is a priority. In the long run, these qualities not only support the upkeep of the carpet but also save schools money by reducing the need for frequent replacements.

• Noise Reduction: Acoustic tiles help reduce ambient noise in educational spaces. This limits distractions, especially in open-plan classrooms, as the acoustic tiles prevent the noise from travelling between areas, allowing students to focus better.

• Enhanced communication: In large classrooms, understanding instructions and engaging in discussions can be challenging without good acoustics. Also, for environments using microphones, acoustic-backed carpet tiles improve sound quality, making it easier for students to hear audio without distortion. Consequently, acoustic tiles can reduce airborne noise.

• Improved focused and learning: A study revealed that participants studying in low-noise environments showed better academic performance than those in high-noise environments, reinforcing the notion that excessive noise can negatively affect concentration and information processing. Therefore, acoustic-backed carpet tiles are a beneficial investment in students’ learning outcomes.

• Support for special needs: For students with sensory processing disorders, the noise-reducing qualities of acoustic -backed carpet tiles can help create a more calming environment. This makes it easier for these students to focus and participate in classroom activities without being overstimulated.

In addition to noise reduction and improved focus, acoustic tiles provide other features:

• Comfort: Acoustic-backed carpet tiles provide a soft surface, making classrooms more comfortable, especially for children who may be sitting on the floor for extended periods.

• Durability and Easy Maintenance; Acoustic-backed carpet tiles are specifically engineered to endure high traffic and regular use. They’re also low-maintenance and resistant to stains, making them an excellent choice for active classrooms.

• Safety: Hypoallergenic carpet tiles can help create a healthier and safer environment by reducing the risk of allergic reactions, respiratory issues, and other health concerns. If you would like to learn more about creating a cleaner, allergen-free environment in the classroom, look at this article on how to reduce allergens in the classroom.

Impact noise is the sound generated by physical impacts, like footsteps, dropped objects, or moving furniture.  This kind of noise can be particularly disruptive in educational environments, especially in multi-story buildings where noise from the floor above can be heard below.

Supacord and Broadrib acoustic-backed carpet tiles are popular choices in schools for reducing impact noise because they have a felt backing that is designed to absorb and reduce vibrations caused by impact noises. This helps prevent the noise from traveling through the floor structure and into other rooms or areas.

• Supacord, often specified for its superior ability to reduce impact noise, makes it an ideal solution for noisy educational environments. For example, Supacord’s tiles can achieve a 23dB impact. This means that the tiles can reduce the intensity of impact noise by 23 dB, resulting in a noticeable reduction in the volume of footsteps, dropped objects, and other physical impacts.

Heckmondwike’s Supacord carpet tiles in Kingston Grey and Blue Moon were used as part of the new build development for Lord Williams’s School. The high-performance tiles are designed to reduce noise levels, helping to minimise distractions in busy school corridors. The combination of stylish colours and noise-reducing benefits create an ideal balance of functionality and design in the school’s interior.

• Broadrib, celebrated for its market-leading acoustic properties and wider rib structure, offers exceptional noise reduction, achieving an impressive 25dB impact. Consequently, Broadrib is ideal for high-traffic communal spaces such as receptions, corridors, and break out areas.

Broadrib tiles were installed in St Patrick’s Catholic Primary School’s corridors and communal areas. The school required a new flooring solution that was not only hard-wearing but also capable of enhancing acoustics and reducing disruption in heavy footfall areas. The combination of excellent acoustic performance and long-lasting durability made Broadrib the perfect choice for the school’s busy spaces.

With a BREEAM A* rating, both Supacord and Broadrib contribute to schools’ sustainability efforts by supporting low-carbon, energy-efficient designs. These high-performance commercial carpet tiles not only enhance environmental credentials but also deliver exceptional durability and functionality, making them an ideal choice for schools seeking both performance and sustainability.

Designed to enhance focus, improve acoustics, and create a safer, more productive learning environment, our acoustic-backed carpet tiles are the perfect solution for fostering a better educational space for your students.

Contact us today to discover how we can help transform your school with our high-quality acoustic-backed carpet tiles.