The material
What is acoustic fabric?
Acoustic fabric is a purpose-engineered textile designed specifically for sound control applications. Unlike standard interior fabric, it is constructed with a porous, open-weave structure that allows sound waves to travel through the face of the material and into the absorbent infill core behind it, where the energy is converted and absorbed rather than reflected back into the room.
This is what makes acoustic fabric functionally different from decorative textiles. A sound-absorbing material placed behind a non-porous face fabric will not perform correctly. The fabric type and construction are critical to the acoustics of the finished installation, and to whether the system meets its performance targets.
Acoustic fabrics manage sound within a space by absorbing sound energy to reduce echoes, cutting reverberation times, and improving speech clarity and overall sound quality. In professional environments, this distinction in material specification determines whether an installation meets its acoustic brief.
Applications
Acoustic Panels
Acoustic fabric is the face material used to cover acoustic panels across walls, ceilings, and freestanding partitions. The fabric is stretched across a frame containing an acoustic infill core, producing a surface that is both sound-absorbing and visually consistent with the wider interior. Without an acoustically transparent face fabric, the panels cannot perform as specified.
Fabritech installs acoustic fabric across all panel formats. This includes wall panels fixed directly to the structure, ceiling panels and baffles, freestanding partitions used to divide spaces or cover large openings, and panels designed to cover speaker arrays where the fabric must not impede the audio output. Bass traps at room junctions are also finished in acoustic fabric as part of a complete installation.
Wall Panels
Fixed directly to the wall structure. Specified for the room's absorption targets.
Partitions
Freestanding or fixed dividers finished in acoustic fabric to cover openings or separate spaces.
Ceiling Panels
Horizontal and angled ceiling treatment as part of a complete acoustic system.
Bass Traps
Low-frequency treatment at room boundaries, finished to match the wider installation.
How we work
From specification to installation
Fabritech manages the complete process. From the initial site survey through to completed installation, our team handles specification, material procurement, fabrication, and on-site fitting with one point of contact throughout.
01
Site survey
We assess the space, review any existing acoustic data or brief, and agree the performance targets for the installation.
02
Specification
Track profiles, infill core, and acoustic fabric type are specified together to meet the room's defined absorption targets.
03
Fabric selection
From our accounts with Kvadrat, Camira Fabrics, and Guilford of Maine, we advise on the right acoustic fabric for both performance and finish requirements.
04
Fabrication
The aluminium track system is fabricated to the exact dimensions of the space. Installation can begin as soon as the site is ready, with no unnecessary lead times.
05
Installation
Our specialist team installs the track, fits the acoustic infill, and stretches the acoustic fabric to produce a seamless, consistent finish across all surfaces.
Who we work with
Our Clients
Fabritech is widely recognized as a premier provider of stretched fabric systems, earning the trust and confidence of renowned figures in the music and film industry.
Acoustic wall panels wrapped in acoustically transparent fabric can reduce mid-to-high frequency noise by up to 70 to 80 per cent.
Fabritech - UK Acoustic Fabric Installation Specialist
Environments
Where We Install Acoustic Fabric
The acoustic requirements of each environment determine the specification. Acoustic fabric is installed wherever precise sound control is essential to the space’s function.
- Recording studios Live rooms, control rooms, vocal booths. Absorption tuned to the room's RT60 targets.
- Post-production suites Dubbing stages, mix rooms, Atmos facilities. Acoustic panels specified to format requirements.
- Screening rooms Home cinemas and professional preview theatres requiring controlled sound absorption.
- Broadcast facilities Studios requiring acoustically transparent wall panels behind speaker arrays.
- Hotels and hospitality Conference suites and public spaces where acoustic fabric must meet fire compliance standards.
- Commercial offices Open-plan and meeting room environments. Reduce reverberation and improve speech clarity.
Specification and finish
Design Flexibility
Professional acoustic fabric does not require compromising the finish. The materials we specify across Kvadrat, Camira Fabrics, and Guilford of Maine offer genuine design flexibility available in a range of colours and textures suited to both technical environments and high-end interiors. This gives the installation aesthetic appeal without deviating from the acoustic brief.
In recording studios and post-production environments, acoustic fabric is typically specified in neutral tones that recede visually, allowing the room design and technical equipment to remain the focus. In commercial spaces, hotels, and residential interiors, the fabric can be selected to cover large wall and ceiling areas in a finish that complements the wider interior without drawing attention to the acoustic treatment itself.
Our team advises on the appropriate fabric specification for each project, balancing acoustic performance requirements with the visual and practical demands of the space.
Materials
The Fabrics Behind Every Installation
Fabritech holds direct accounts with Kvadrat, Camira Fabrics, and Guilford of Maine. These are the manufacturers whose acoustic fabrics are specified across our installations, chosen for their acoustic performance, fire-resistance ratings, and suitability for professional environments. We do not sell fabric. We specify, procure, and install it as part of a complete system.
Camira Fabrics
Camira Fabrics
Camira Cara is the most widely specified acoustic fabric across our commercial and studio installations. Acoustically transparent, lightweight, and fire-resistant. Responds well to routine maintenance with a damp cloth, and deeper cleaning can be carried out without disturbing the installation.
- Construction100% polypropylene
- Width170cm by the metre
- Fire ratingEN 1021-1/2 · BS 7176
- ASTM certifiedClass I / Class A
Kvadrat
Kvadrat
Danish manufacturer of high-quality architectural textiles used in premium commercial and cultural spaces worldwide. Kvadrat acoustic fabric is engineered for stretched systems and certified to relevant fire safety standards. Specified on design-led projects where the quality of finish is as important as the acoustic performance.
- ApplicationWalls and ceilings
- Fire ratingEN 13501-1 certified
- ConstructionArchitecturally specified
- DurabilityCommercial grade
Guilford of Maine
Guilford of Maine
Specialist acoustic fabric manufacturer widely specified in professional audio environments. Guilford of Maine fabrics are engineered for acoustically transparent applications and are the preferred specification for recording studios, post-production facilities, and broadcast environments where acoustic performance cannot be compromised.
- ApplicationProfessional audio
- ConstructionOpen-weave · acoustically transparent
- Fire ratingCompliant · certified
- FormatAvailable by the metre
Compliance
Fire resistance and regulatory compliance
All acoustic fabrics specified by Fabritech are fire-resistant and assessed against UK building regulations before any installation begins. The requirements differ between building types. A recording studio, a hotel conference suite, and a public commercial space each carry different compliance obligations.
We advise on the correct fire rating classification at the specification stage for every project, ensuring that the acoustic fabric and infill core selected are both acoustically appropriate and fully compliant. For public spaces and commercial environments, we ensure fabrics are certified to the relevant European and UK standards before procurement.
Documentation for all specified materials is available on request and can be provided to architects, project managers, and building control as required.
European Standard
EN 13501-1 Classification
Camira Cara
EN 1021-1/2 Certified
UK Standard
BS 7176 Low Hazard
ASTM Rating
Class I / Class A
Start your project
Ready to discuss your acoustic fabric installation?
Whether you are an architect, studio builder, or interior designer, contact our team to discuss your specifications and requirements.
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
Questions from architects, studio builders, and interior designers about acoustic fabric installation.
A fabric described as acoustically transparent allows sound waves to pass through it without being significantly reflected or absorbed at the surface. This is the most important characteristic of acoustic fabric used to cover panels, wall systems, and speaker grilles. The fabric itself plays a direct role in acoustic performance. A permeable, open-weave construction ensures sound passes into the infill core behind it, rather than being reflected back into the room. Using a non-porous fabric over an acoustic infill core will significantly reduce the installation’s performance.
Acoustic curtains are heavy, dense fabric panels suspended from a track system, used to provide moveable acoustic treatment within a space. Unlike stretched acoustic fabric systems, which are fixed and permanently installed, acoustic curtains can be drawn across openings, windows, or large wall areas to adjust a room’s acoustic properties.
Currently, Fabritech does not work with acoustic curtain installation.
We hold direct accounts with Kvadrat, Camira Fabrics, and Guilford of Maine. All three produce acoustic fabrics engineered for stretched acoustic systems, with open-weave constructions and fire-resistant credentials appropriate for commercial and specialist environments. Our team advises on the appropriate specification for each project based on acoustic performance requirements, fire-rating obligations, and the intended environment.
Yes. All acoustic fabrics we specify are fire-resistant and assessed against UK building regulations and the European standard EN 13501-1. Camira Cara is certified to EN 1021-1/2, BS 7176 Low Hazard, and ASTM E84 Class I/A. We advise on the appropriate classification for each project at the specification stage, and can provide full compliance documentation for architects, building control, and project managers on request.
We install across recording studios, post-production suites, home cinemas, screening rooms, broadcast facilities, hotels, offices, and commercial spaces. The fabric type and infill core are specified to meet the defined acoustic performance targets for that space, whether that means managing reverberation in a control room, improving sound quality in a dubbing suite, or meeting noise-reduction requirements in a commercial environment.
Yes. We handle the entire process from initial site survey and specification through to completed installation. This includes specifying the correct acoustic fabric, track profiles, and infill core; managing fabric procurement from our partner manufacturers; fabricating the system to the exact dimensions of the space; and carrying out the on-site installation. We work alongside architects, interior designers, and studio builders, with a single point of contact from start to finish.
Most acoustic fabrics, including Camira Cara, are straightforward to maintain in a professional environment. Routine cleaning can be carried out with a damp cloth without disturbing the installation. Where deeper cleaning is required, it can be done carefully in situ. We advise on the maintenance procedure appropriate for the specific fabric specified on each project.