Benefits of Acoustical Clouds in Open Floor Plans

The Open Plan Noise Problem

Open offices, lobbies, coworking spaces, and restaurant dining rooms share a common problem: hard floors, glass walls, and high ceilings with nothing to absorb sound. Conversations bounce off every surface. Background noise builds. People talk louder to be heard, which makes it worse.

A full suspended ceiling would fix the acoustics, but it defeats the purpose of the open plan. Exposed structure, ductwork, and high ceilings are part of the design intent. Clouds let you keep the open look while targeting the acoustic problem.

What Clouds Actually Do

Acoustical clouds are horizontal panels suspended from the structure above. They absorb sound from both sides — the top face catches sound reflecting off the deck, the bottom face catches sound rising from the occupied space. A well-placed cloud with NRC 0.85+ absorbs roughly the same sound energy as an equivalent area of continuous suspended ceiling.

Clouds don't block sound between areas like a full ceiling does. They reduce reverberation time (echo) within the space. In an open office, that means conversations don't carry as far, phone calls are clearer, and the general noise level drops noticeably.

Where Clouds Work Best

Open offices: Clusters of clouds over workstation pods create acoustic zones without physical barriers
Reception areas and lobbies: A cloud over the reception desk makes it easier for staff and visitors to hear each other
Restaurant dining rooms: Clouds over seating areas reduce the noise build-up that makes diners feel like they're shouting
Conference areas in open plans: Clouds over a meeting table won't provide privacy, but they improve speech clarity within the group
Atriums and multi-story lobbies: Large clouds at different heights break up the vertical sound path

Sizing and Placement

General rule: cloud coverage should equal 50–70% of the floor area you're treating for noticeable acoustic improvement. That doesn't mean one giant panel — multiple smaller clouds with gaps between them look better and still perform well.

Hang height matters. Clouds should be at least 12" below the structure to get the air gap that maximizes absorption. For high ceilings (14'+), you can hang clouds lower — 10'–12' above the floor — to bring the absorptive surface closer to the noise source.

We work with the architect to determine cloud sizes, shapes, and layout that meet both the acoustic and design goals.

Material Options

Clouds come in almost any material:

Mineral fiber: Armstrong, USG, CertainTeed standard panels suspended as clouds. Most cost-effective, NRC 0.70–0.95.
Fiberglass with fabric wrap: Clean look, excellent NRC (0.85+), custom shapes available.
Felt: PET felt clouds from manufacturers like FilzFelt. Modern aesthetic, NRC 0.50–0.85 depending on thickness.
Metal with acoustic backer: Perforated metal panels with fiberglass or mineral wool behind them. Industrial look with real performance.
Wood: Slat or grille wood panels with acoustic membrane behind. Beautiful, but NRC depends on the backing system.

See our detailed cloud guide and baffles vs clouds comparison for more on product selection.

Cost Range

Cloud installations typically run $8–25 per square foot of cloud area, depending on material, size, and installation height. That's more than a standard T-bar ceiling per square foot, but you're covering less area — usually 50–70% of the floor, not 100%.

For a 2,000 SF open office with 1,200 SF of cloud coverage, expect $10,000–$30,000 installed depending on the product selected.

Get a Quote

We install acoustical clouds for offices, restaurants, lobbies, and other open commercial spaces across Northern California. Send us your project details and we'll put together a proposal.