Acoustic slat panels look like a big joinery job, but most walls can be finished in an afternoon with a tube of adhesive, a saw and a spare pair of hands. This guide explains how to fit acoustic wall panels step by step, from checking the wall to cutting around sockets, finishing corners and fixing panels to a ceiling. It covers how to install slat wall panels in straight lengths, modular squares and flexible curved profiles.
Before You Start
Good preparation makes the rest of the job quick. Check three things before you open the boxes.
- The wall. Panels can go onto plasterboard, brick, lath and plaster, tiles and plywood, as long as the surface is sound, dry and free from dust, large cracks and damage. Scrape off loose paint and fill any holes first.
- The location. Keep real wood veneer and felt-backed panels away from direct heat, such as a fireplace or hob, and away from areas with regular water or moisture.
- The panels. Unpack them and leave them in the room for a day or two so the timber settles to the room's temperature and humidity.
If you have not chosen a range yet, our guide on what to look for before you buy slat wall panels covers construction, felt backing and slat widths.
Tools and Materials You Will Need
- Tape measure, pencil and a spirit level or laser level
- A fine-tooth saw, jigsaw or circular saw, plus a sharp craft knife for the felt
- Acoustic panel adhesive: a strong "no nails" style panel adhesive and a sealant gun
- Acoustic panel screws: black matt-coated 30mm screws for extra support, with a drill driver
- Wall plugs suited to your wall type, and a stud detector for plasterboard walls
- A second person to help hold full-length 2400mm panels
Step 1: Measure and Plan the Layout
Measure the width and height of the wall, then mark where sockets, switches, windows and the TV will sit. Panels come in set sizes, such as 2400mm lengths in 300mm, 320mm and 600mm widths, and 600 x 600mm squares, so sketch the layout on paper first. Start from the centre of the wall or the focal point, such as the TV, so any cut panels finish evenly at each end. Allow a little extra for offcuts, as measurements can vary by up to 3% between panels.
Lay the panels out on the floor first, as real wood veneer varies naturally in grain and tone.
Step 2: Mark a Level Starting Line
Walls and floors are rarely perfectly straight. Use a level to draw a vertical line where the first panel will go, rather than butting it against a corner. If the first panel is plumb, every panel after it will line up. For horizontal layouts, mark a level line along the base instead.
Step 3: Cut Panels to Size
Knowing how to cut acoustic wall panels cleanly makes the biggest difference to the finish. Measure twice, then cut with a fine-tooth saw with the veneer face up, so the cut stays crisp on the side you will see. For cuts along the length, cut through the felt between two slats with a sharp knife, so you only need to trim timber where it is needed. Standard woodworking tools are all you need.
Step 4: Fix the First Panel
This is how to install wall panels with adhesive, the method most people use. Apply beads of panel adhesive in vertical lines down the back of the felt, roughly every 200 to 300mm, plus a zigzag near the top and bottom. Press the panel firmly onto the wall along your starting line and check it is level before the adhesive grabs.
For extra support, add a few black 30mm screws through the felt in the gaps between the slats. The black heads disappear into the shadow of the gap, so they are almost invisible. When you attach acoustic panels to a plastered wall, use the right wall plugs for brick or block, or screw into the timber studs on a plasterboard wall.
Step 5: Fit the Remaining Panels
Work outwards from the first panel. Butt each new panel tightly against the last so the slat spacing stays consistent across the join, and check the level every two or three panels. The panels are designed to butt together closely, so the joins disappear into the slat pattern.
Modular square panels can be rotated as you go to create grid, basketweave or herringbone-style layouts. Our Briksdal square acoustic slat wall panels come in sets of four 600 x 600mm panels, covering 1.44m² per set.
Step 6: Cut Around Sockets and Switches
Turn off the power at the consumer unit, then unscrew the faceplate. Measure the position of the back box, transfer the marks to the panel and cut the opening slightly larger than the box. Panels add around 20mm to the wall, so fit a socket extension spacer or spacer box so the faceplate sits neatly on the panel face. If you are unsure, ask a qualified electrician.
Step 7: Finish Corners and Edges
When working out how to fit acoustic wall panels around corners, the edge style matters. A 3-sided wrapped panel has veneer on the face and both long edges, so it finishes neatly at an external corner or the end of a wall without trim. Front-facing panels usually look best set into an alcove, or finished with a matching timber edge strip. For internal corners, butt the two panels together and leave the felt to close the gap.
For curved walls, columns and rounded corners, a flexible panel is the answer. Our Sundvik flexible fluted wall panels have a flexible backing that wraps around curves. Check the radius against the panel's flex tolerance before ordering.
Fitting Acoustic Panels Behind a TV
Acoustic panels behind a TV are one of the most popular uses, as they frame the screen and soften echo from the speakers. Plan the TV bracket position before you fix any panels. The bracket must be fixed through the panel into the wall itself, not just into the panel, so use longer fixings and fit a timber packer behind the bracket position so it sits flat. Our guide to slimline media wall designs shows how panels work with a TV wall.
How to Install Acoustic Panels on a Ceiling
Ceilings need more than adhesive alone. Find the joists with a stud detector, apply adhesive to the panel, then screw through the slat gaps into the joists with black 30mm screws. Have a helper hold each panel until it is fixed. Full-length panels can weigh around 10kg each, so never rely on adhesive alone overhead.
Glue, Screws or Battens?
- Adhesive only: fastest and cleanest on a flat, sound wall.
- Adhesive and screws: the most secure choice, and essential on ceilings.
- Battens: fix timber battens first on uneven walls, then fix the panels to them. You can also fill the gap with acoustic insulation to improve sound absorption.
Whichever method you choose, the panels reduce echo and reverberation in the room, but they are not soundproofing and will not stop noise passing between rooms. Browse the full range in our slat wall panels collection.
Need a Hand?
Most of our customers fit their own panels, but Aspin Collins also offers professional fitting across Manchester, Cheshire and the surrounding areas. Call us on 0161 465 4007 or contact us for a quote.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Should you glue or screw acoustic wall panels?
Both work best together. Panel adhesive holds the panel flat against the wall, and a few black 30mm screws through the slat gaps add security. On a flat, sound wall, adhesive alone is often enough, but always use screws on a ceiling.
2. What is the best adhesive for acoustic wall panels?
The best adhesive for acoustic wall panels is a strong "no nails" style panel adhesive applied with a sealant gun. Apply it in vertical beads on the back of the felt and check the adhesive suits your wall surface.
3. Are acoustic wall panels easy to fit?
Yes. If you can measure, cut with a saw and use a level, you can fit them. Two people make it much easier, especially with 2400mm panels, and a typical feature wall takes a few hours.
4. Can you install acoustic wall panels without drilling?
Yes, on a flat, sound wall, panel adhesive alone will hold them. Bear in mind that adhesive is permanent and removing the panels later is likely to damage the plaster, so it is not an easy option for rented homes.
5. Can you mount a TV on acoustic wall panels?
Yes, but the bracket must be fixed through the panel into the wall behind it, never into the panel alone. Use longer fixings and a timber packer behind the bracket so it sits flat and secure.
6. Where should acoustic panels go in a living room?
The most effective spots are the wall behind the TV or speakers and the wall facing your seating, as these reflect the most sound.
