DUO acoustic tiles from OBJECT CARPET are best known for their recyclability – whilst also setting new benchmarks in acoustics: even in their standard configuration, they deliver significantly higher acoustic performance than industry-standard solutions. This is made possible by their innovative material composition, which achieves 28–34 dB impact sound reduction and an αw value of 0.30–0.35. As a result, they make a particularly valueable contribution to wellbeing and building certification.
Micro-noise as a hidden stress factor
In modern workplaces, open-plan office layouts are seen as synonymous with creativity, agility and collaboration. Yet it is precisely where spatial boundaries disappear that an often underestimated problem arises: noise. Excessive sound levels have long ranked among the greatest stress factors in office environments. Recent research has highlighted the influence of so-called micro-disruptions in particular: ringing telephones, fragments of conversations that can be clearly understood or footsteps on hard floors. The irregular yet recurring occurrence of these individual noise events fragments the working experience, interrupts thought processes and increases mental fatigue. The consequences are rising error rates, declining productivity and increased stress levels, which can also have a lasting negative impact on mental wellbeing.
DUO: an innovative acoustic solution
A carefully designed acoustic concept is therefore more important than ever in modern workplace architecture. Achieving it requires a combination of intelligent planning and the right choice of materials. This is precisely where DUO acoustic tiles by OBJECT CARPET come into play. They have been specifically developed to reduce acoustic challenges directly at their source, without the need for additional measures or complex retrofitting. The key lies in their innovative construction: an integrated acoustic membrane, combined with the double-layer construction, provides targeted sound insulation, whilst the 600g acoustic felt backing ensures both stability and additional sound absorption. The result is acoustic performance that clearly exceeds market standards. Conventional textile floor coverings often achieve impact sound reductions of between 15 and 25 dB and sound absorption values of around αw 0.15–0.25. DUO acoustic tiles surpass these figures considerably: with impact sound reduction of 28–34 dB and values of αw 0.30–0.35, they offer significantly enhanced acoustic performance even in their standard version. This makes a tangible contribution to creating quieter, more pleasant and more balanced interior environments.
A valuable contribution to building certification
Beyond their immediate impact on human wellbeing, the improved acoustics provided by DUO also make an important contribution to building certification. Whether under DGNB, LEED or WELL standards, high acoustic performance has a positive effect on the assessment and provides comprehensive support for sustainable building and interior design concepts. This comes with a range of additional benefits: OBJECT CARPET products featuring DUO technology can, for example, be installed particularly efficiently and sustainably. They are simply secured rather than permanently glued down, eliminating the need for additional specialist underlays. Existing floors can often remain in place, making the system ideal for fast-track refurbishments and modernisation projects. The work is carried out largely without generating dust or dirt, meaning that adjacent areas can often remain in use.
Durable and sustainable
Robust, resilient and long-lasting, DUO solutions maintain their structural integrity throughout their entire service life, ensuring consistently high acoustic performance at all times. Once they finally reach the end of their lifecycle, the flooring can be easily replaced and recycled, making it an exceptionally sustainable solution. “Particularly in times of hybrid working models, it has become clear just how important it is to create spaces that facilitate both concentration and communication,” says Daniel Butz, Managing Director of OBJECT CARPET. “Achieving effective acoustics therefore remains a key challenge. Our DUO products are designed to skilfully combine functionality, acoustic comfort and sustainability. The result is working environments that meet the demands of modern offices just as effectively as they address the needs of people and the environment.”