Complete Guide to Acoustic Baffles and Clouds

What Are Baffles and Clouds?

Both are free-hanging acoustic elements suspended from the ceiling structure. They absorb sound without forming a continuous ceiling plane.

Baffles hang vertically, like fins. They're typically rectangular panels oriented perpendicular to the floor, suspended in parallel rows from cables or wire. Both sides of the baffle are exposed to sound, so they absorb effectively from multiple directions.

Clouds hang horizontally, parallel to the floor. They look like floating ceiling panels or islands. They absorb from above and below. Clouds create a visual ceiling plane in a specific zone without covering the entire room.

Both serve the same core purpose: getting acoustic absorption into spaces where a full grid-and-tile ceiling either can't be installed or isn't wanted.

Baffles vs Clouds: Key Differences

The choice between baffles and clouds depends on the space and the design intent:

Visual effect: Baffles create rhythm and directionality. Clouds create defined zones and floating planes.
Acoustic coverage: Baffles absorb from both sides plus the bottom edge. Clouds absorb from top and bottom faces. At equal coverage area, baffles typically provide more total absorption because of the edge exposure.
Height impact: Baffles hang down further (12"–48" typical depth). Clouds are thinner (2"–4" typical) but need horizontal area.
Lighting: Clouds integrate with or replace light fixtures more naturally. Baffles work around fixtures.

For the full comparison, read our baffles vs clouds comparison page.

Materials and Products

Mineral Fiber and Fiberglass Baffles

Armstrong Soundscape is the dominant product in this category. Fiberglass core with a painted or fabric-wrapped finish. Available in rectangular, curved, and custom shapes. NRC 1.00+ in typical installations because both sides absorb. See our Armstrong Soundscape deep dive and product page.

Felt Baffles

Made from compressed PET felt (recycled polyester). Thinner profile, lighter weight, wide color range. Popular in modern office, retail, and hospitality designs. NRC varies from 0.30–0.65 depending on thickness and density. See our felt baffle products.

Metal Baffles

Perforated metal with acoustic fleece lining. Extremely durable, cleanable, and fire-resistant. Used in transit stations, natatoriums, industrial spaces, and anywhere that needs tough, long-lasting acoustic treatment. See our metal baffle products.

Wood Baffles

Solid or veneered wood fins. Premium aesthetic for lobbies, restaurants, and high-end corporate spaces. Sound absorption comes primarily from the spaces between baffles and any acoustic backing. See our wood baffle products and wood ceiling guide.

Acoustic Clouds

Usually the same materials as standard ceiling tiles (mineral fiber or fiberglass) in custom shapes and sizes. Armstrong, USG, and CertainTeed all make cloud products. The USG Halcyon is a standout cloud product.

Acoustic Performance and Spacing

Baffle and cloud acoustic performance depends on three factors: material NRC, coverage area, and spacing.

Material NRC: Individual baffles are rated with NRC, but it's measured differently than flat ceiling tiles. Baffles are tested in a specific mounting arrangement. A single Armstrong Soundscape baffle tests at NRC 1.15 — meaning it absorbs more than its own surface area of sound energy because of edge effects.

Coverage and spacing: The acoustic performance of a baffle array depends on how much of the ceiling area the baffles cover and how close together they are. Closer spacing = more absorption but also more material cost and more visual density. Typical spacing ranges:

12" on center — maximum absorption, dense visual effect
24" on center — good balance of absorption and openness
36" on center — lighter treatment, budget-friendly, open visual
48"+ on center — decorative with modest acoustic contribution

An acoustician can model the exact absorption needed for your space. We work with acoustic consultants regularly. For background on the ratings, read our NRC and CAC resource.

When to Use Baffles or Clouds

Baffles and clouds are the right call when:

The design intent is an exposed ceiling (exposed structure, ductwork, deck)
Ceiling height is too high for a full grid ceiling to be effective or economical
The architect wants acoustic treatment as a visible design element
The space needs targeted acoustic zones (clouds over a seating area, for example)
Existing conditions make a grid ceiling impractical (curved structure, obstructions)

Compare the trade-offs with our baffles vs ceiling tiles guide.

Applications by Industry

Restaurants: The most common baffle application we install. Restaurants with open ceilings are notoriously loud. Baffles add absorption without hiding the industrial aesthetic. Read our restaurant baffle guide and why restaurants are too loud.
Offices: Open-plan offices use clouds to define zones and control noise. Meeting areas get clouds overhead for focused absorption. See our open office acoustics guide and best ceiling options for open offices.
Education: Gymnasiums, cafeterias, and common areas with high ceilings benefit from baffles. Classrooms use clouds when acoustical tile ceilings aren't feasible. See our education ceiling guide.
Retail: Clouds as design features over key merchandising areas. Baffles in high-ceiling big-box environments.
Healthcare: Waiting rooms and corridors with high ceilings use clouds for speech privacy and noise reduction. See our healthcare ceiling guide.

Installation

Baffle and cloud installation requires careful planning:

Attachment points: Every baffle or cloud needs structural attachment. Cable loops, threaded rod, or aircraft cable from the deck above.
Layout: Spacing, alignment, and height must be uniform. Laser levels and string lines are essential.
Coordination: Baffles and clouds hang in the open plenum, so they need to weave around ductwork, sprinkler heads, and light fixtures.
Seismic: In California, suspended elements need seismic restraint. Baffles typically require safety cables.
Access: Unlike grid ceilings where you pop a tile, baffles and clouds don't provide easy access to the area above. Plan maintenance access routes.

Our baffle and cloud installation service handles all of this. Get a quote.

Costs

Pricing varies by material and density:

Fiberglass baffles (Armstrong Soundscape): $8–$18/SF of ceiling area covered, installed
Felt baffles: $10–$22/SF installed
Metal baffles: $15–$30/SF installed
Wood baffles: $25–$50/SF installed
Clouds: $12–$35/SF of cloud area, installed

Note: these are per square foot of ceiling area the baffles serve, not per square foot of baffle material. A baffle installation covering 1,000 SF of ceiling area at $14/SF is $14,000 installed. For broader pricing context, see our commercial ceiling cost guide.

Baffles vs Ceiling Tiles

It's not either/or in most buildings. Main corridors and back-of-house areas get standard grid and tile (cost-effective, functional). Public-facing spaces and architecturally important areas get baffles or clouds (design-forward, statement-making). Read the full baffles vs ceiling tiles comparison.