When should acoustic louvres be used instead of acoustic cladding?

Both acoustic louvres and acoustic cladding systems are used to control noise from mechanical plant and building services equipment as part of a coordinated acoustic façade system, but they serve different functions and are not directly interchangeable.

Acoustic louvres are required where ventilation airflow must pass through the façade or enclosure. They allow air movement while providing a defined level of acoustic attenuation, making them suitable for plant intakes and exhausts where noise control and airflow are both critical.

In contrast, acoustic cladding is typically used to create solid acoustic enclosures or barriers around plant. It is designed to block or absorb noise but does not allow airflow through the panel itself. Acoustic cladding is therefore appropriate where ventilation is provided separately, or where plant is enclosed within a purpose-built acoustic housing.

You would typically choose:

• Ventilation openings require simultaneous airflow and noise reduction.
• The façade itself forms part of the acoustic strategy.
• Air intake or exhaust paths cannot be redirected.
• Planning conditions limit noise breakout through ventilation openings.

• Plant requires full or partial acoustic enclosure.
• Noise control is required across large surface areas.
• Ventilation is provided via dedicated acoustic louvres or attenuated ductwork.
• The objective is to reduce overall plant breakout rather than treat a single opening.

In many projects, the most effective solution is a combination of acoustic cladding and acoustic louvres, working together to control breakout noise while maintaining plant airflow. As such, both systems can form part of a broader plant noise control strategy.

At Solinear, our SoundEX acoustic louvre systems and SoundEX acoustic cladding range are designed to integrate seamlessly within a coordinated façade or plant enclosure strategy. We collaborate with acoustic consultants and design teams to determine whether a louvre, cladding system, or hybrid approach is most appropriate for the specific noise and ventilation requirements.