Quick answer: New BTO flats echo because they are empty, with tiled or vinyl floors and bare walls. Plan panel spots with your ID early, so lights, sockets and carpentry do not clash. But put the panels up after you move in and place your furniture, because furniture changes how much you need. Most rooms need 6 to 10 panels.

Key takeaways

  • Empty BTOs echo the most.
  • Plan panel spots with your ID early.
  • Install after furniture is in.

Why new flats echo

No furniture, no curtains, hard floors and bare walls. Every sound bounces. It gets better as you move in, but often not enough.

Plan with your ID

Mark where panels will go on the drawings: behind the sofa, beside the TV, in the study. Keep sockets and switches clear of those spots. Planning now avoids moving lights or carpentry later. See planning before design.

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 acoustic panels for homes and recent projects.

Panels in a new BTO infographic

Install after moving in

Bring in the sofa, beds, rug and curtains. Then do the clap test. You may need fewer panels than you thought.

BTO: plan vs install diagram

Rooms that need it most

The open-concept living and dining area needs it most. Next is the study if you take calls there. Any music or gaming room needs panels too. See HDB acoustic treatment.

Drilling

HDB walls hold screws well. Check HDB's renovation guidelines, and avoid hidden pipes and wires. If you would rather not drill, there are other options. See no-drill options.

Cost

Most rooms need about 6 to 10 panels. At S$185 each installed, that is S$1,110 to S$1,850 per room. Supply-only is from S$120 per panel if you install them yourself.

Colour with your reno

Pick panel colours that go with your ID's sample board, so everything matches. There are 39 colours to choose from. Matching the wall colour helps panels blend in.

Common BTO mistake

A full fluted feature wall can look great but does nothing for echo. It is hard and bounces sound like any other wall. Pair it with real panels on another wall.

What we see on real jobs

An empty BTO always sounds worse than a furnished one. Move in first, then check the echo; it can save you money.

Get a straight answer for your room

WhatsApp a photo of the room (+65 8930 1905) and tell us what you use it for: calls, TV, music or mixing. We'll suggest a layout, a colour and a price, including no-drill options where your walls allow.

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

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