How to install acoustic panels?

[DIYlover53]

I’m planning to put acoustic panels on my media room wall, but the wall is 2.76m high (excluding the skirting which measures an additional 10cm) and the panels are only 2.7m.  I’d like to start the panels from the top of the skirting board. Is there a way  to make it work so it still looks neat and finished?

I've attached an image of an AI generated image of the look I'm going for. 

Thank you in advance

 

 

[MitchellMc]

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community @Karinajain53. It's brilliant to have you join us, and many thanks for your question about installing acoustic panels.
 

The simplest way to deal with that small gap is to run a horizontal timber batten across the top of the panels. A 42 x 19mm Tasmanian oak batten would work well. It’s a couple of millimetres thicker than your gap, but with careful measuring and a light sand it should fit neatly. If you’d prefer the batten to be less noticeable, you could go with pine and paint it white so it blends into the ceiling. Either way, adding a batten is probably the cleanest and easiest way to achieve a finished look.

Let me tag @Dave-1 and @Nailbag to see if they have any thoughts.

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Mitchell
 

[Nailbag]

Hi @DIYlover53 

In keeping with a clean line and maximising the look of the panels, I would cut the skirting the width of each panel. Then either insert a stained matched timber board on the bottom or smaller ones top and bottom. The height of the inset boards would 160mm to fill the gap perfectly. Personally I would go the top and bottom version. Image below shows a sample of each.

Nailbag

[Dave-1]

Good Afternoon @DIYlover53 

I like the idea of replacing your existing skirting board with a taller version to take care of the extra 6cm worth. Note that corners, heights are not always consistant so a little bit of "space" is a good thing. I would suggest to measure multiple times across the width and height to confirm.

You could also do @MitchellMc 's suggestion as that works with less hassel. 

It is surpprising how a skirting board switch up can change a feel of a room. If you have straight cuts (plus the angled for the old style corners) I think it will blend very nicely.

Dave

[DIYlover53]

This sounds like a good idea, thank you! Can I ask a question about installation. I want to avoid using adhesive glue. I plan on using either mdf / wood or metal strips and attaching them to the studs and screwing directly into them. Is this something you would recommend. Are there any particular screws I should use in this case? 

[DIYlover53]

I also like this idea. I so play around with the options and decide what looks best