Quick answer: Acoustic ceiling boards and tiles replace the whole ceiling. They are best when you are already building a new false ceiling. Acoustic panels and clouds are added to the ceiling or walls you have, only where needed. If the ceiling is open or already finished, panels are faster and cheaper to add. For new builds, plan both together.

Key takeaways

  • Ceiling boards replace the whole ceiling.
  • Panels add treatment only where needed.
  • Open or finished ceilings: panels are easier.

What acoustic ceiling boards are

They are tiles or boards in a grid, made of mineral fibre, perforated gypsum or wood wool. They form the false ceiling. They are priced for the whole ceiling area, usually by your contractor.

What acoustic panels and clouds are

Panels are fixed flat to an existing ceiling or wall. Clouds and baffles hang below an open ceiling. Either way, they go only where the sound needs it, and ceiling panels are always fixed mechanically.

Not sure what your room needs? Send us a photo on WhatsApp or request a free quote. We'll tell you how many panels, where they go and the price. See our office acoustic panels and recent projects.

Boards vs panels infographic

When boards are best

Boards make sense when you are renovating and putting in a new false ceiling anyway. They also suit big open offices that already have a grid ceiling. Plan them early with your designer. See plan acoustics before design is done.

Ceiling boards vs panels diagram

When panels are best

Open "industrial" ceilings in cafés and restaurants. Finished ceilings you do not want to rip out. Rented spaces. Rooms where you only need a few areas treated. See restaurants without a false ceiling.

Does one work better?

Good boards and good panels can both work well. Boards spread treatment evenly but only on the ceiling. Panels can go on the ceiling and walls, which helps with echo between walls in meeting rooms.

Cost

Boards are priced for the whole ceiling area. Panels cost from S$185 each supplied and installed (50 mm, standard fixings included), only where needed, which is about S$255 per m² of panel. A 6 × 4 m meeting room usually needs 8 to 12 panels, or S$1,480 to S$2,220. See ceiling vs wall panels.

Questions for your ID or contractor

What is the NRC (a score from 0 to 1 for how much sound a panel soaks up) of the ceiling board? Does the plan leave space for lights and services? Can panels be added on the walls later? Planning early saves rework.

Looks: grid vs clouds

Grid ceilings look neat and office-like. Clouds and baffles look modern and keep high ceilings feeling open. Pick the look first, then the product.

What we see on real jobs

Many cafés have open ceilings by design. Clouds keep that look and still stop the roar, without building a false ceiling.

Get a straight answer for your room

Send a photo of the meeting room or floor on WhatsApp (+65 8930 1905), with the rough size. We'll tell you how many panels, where they go and the price, and we can prepare documents for your building management.

WhatsApp us a photo · Request a free quote · See prices

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