Can you drill into Prempanel acoustic panels?

[jonalissa]

Has anyone mounted or drilled into these panels? Any issues with them splitting or cracking?

[JacobZ]

Hi @jonalissa,

Thank you for your question about mounting the Prempanel Acoustic Panels.

The installation instructions for these panels don't call for screw fixing unless they are used on a ceiling, or double stacked on a very high wall. When screws need to be used, they should be driven through the felt backing as opposed to the timber battens.

You can drill into the battens, but they should not be used to mount heavy items such as mirrors, TVs or wall hung cabinets as they are not structural in any way. 

If you wanted to mount something like a small clock or a painting, there should be no issue at all. 

To avoid splitting, it is always best to put a pilot hole in the timber to accommodate the screw. A screw will make the timber expand outwards to accommodate the additional volume of the screw. A pilot hole removes material, so the screw has a place to sit, meaning the outward expansion is minimised and consequently the risk of splitting is minimised.

Did you have a particular project in mind that you might like some assistance with? I'd be happy to help if you had any concerns.

Let me know if you have any further questions.

Jacob

[Toolman22]

Hi Jacob,

Can the Prempanels be routed? I need to flush cut them around a tv box I’m installing?

Cheers

Tim

[JacobZ]

Hi Tim (@Toolman22),

A warm welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community, it is fantastic to have you with us.

You'd be fine routing through the timber with a flush cut router, but I'm not sure how well you'd go using one through the felt backing.

If you needed to cut the felt backing, it would be reasonably easy with a pair of scissors.

Once cut, you would just need to apply some construction adhesive, such as Liquid Nails, to the back of the felt around the section you've cut out and restick it to the wall.

Let me know what you think and if you have any questions, don't hesitate to ask.

Jacob