However, in situations where ceiling treatments aren’t possible or aesthetically desired, a combination of carpeting and panels can work. Floor coverings are a relatively inexpensive means to reduce a room’s Impact Insulation Class (IIC) rating—the acoustic disruptions caused by movement such as chairs scraping against a wooden floor. Options like Mohawk Group’s Get Smart broadlooms can serve as a buffer between the objects and surface, reducing the attendant noise, as can resilient flooring and underlays, which are ideal if allergens are a concern.

As for wall panels, “the thickness of the material is just as important as NRC,” says Brown. Since NRC is an average of absorption over a range of frequency bands, thin materials “may absorb the high frequencies, but that’s all.” Felt products are a favorite of Brown's (he specifies thicknesses of 1" or 2"), as are Echo Eliminator’s recycled-denim options. New products such as Autex’s Composition, which double as pin boards, also add a decorative dimension to classroom sound abatement.

Brown notes that tiles, carpeting, and panels suffice for most K–12 classrooms. It’s only when you start designing for specialized or multifunctional spaces, such as music rooms and auditoriums, that expensive products are needed. Says Brown about the over 30 K–12 schools he has consulted on: “Our emphasis is always on durability, simplicity, and getting everything out of harm’s way.”