NRC Rating Explained

NRC stands for Noise Reduction Coefficient. It measures how much sound a material absorbs, rated on a scale from 0 (reflects all sound, like a mirror reflects light) to 1 (absorbs all sound). When you see "NRC 0.85" on an acoustic panel, it means the panel absorbs 85% of the sound energy that hits it.

What NRC Ratings Mean in Practice

NRC 0.00 to 0.15 — Highly reflective surfaces like glass, concrete, and tile. These surfaces bounce sound around the room, creating echo and making conversation difficult. NRC 0.25 to 0.50 — Moderately absorptive materials like carpet, curtains, and some ceiling tiles. They help but are rarely sufficient on their own. NRC 0.70 to 1.00 — Highly absorptive materials like professional acoustic panels. These dramatically reduce echo and improve speech clarity.

NRC Ratings of Common Materials

Concrete wall: NRC 0.02. Glass window: NRC 0.05. Drywall: NRC 0.05. Hardwood floor: NRC 0.10. Carpet on pad: NRC 0.35. Heavy curtain: NRC 0.50. OrangePiel acoustic panels: NRC 0.85. Professional studio foam: NRC 0.80-0.95.

How Many Panels Do You Need?

A general rule of thumb: cover 15-30% of your room's total wall and ceiling area with NRC 0.85+ panels for a noticeable improvement. For offices and restaurants, 20-25% coverage typically achieves comfortable conversational levels. For recording studios and podcast rooms, 40-60% coverage provides professional-grade acoustic control. Our team can help calculate the right amount for your specific space.

NRC vs STC: What's the Difference?

NRC measures sound absorption within a room — reducing echo and reverberation. STC (Sound Transmission Class) measures how well a wall blocks sound from passing through to an adjacent room. Acoustic panels improve NRC, not STC. If your goal is to prevent sound from leaving a room, you need soundproofing construction (adding mass to walls). If your goal is to make a room sound better on the inside, acoustic panels with high NRC ratings are the solution.