Sound plays a crucial role in how people experience a space. Whether it is a school hall during an assembly, a theatre during a performance, a rehearsal studio, a gymnasium, or a multipurpose hall that hosts many different events, the quality of the sound in the room has a major impact on clarity, comfort, and overall user experience. One of the most effective, flexible, and visually appealing ways to improve the acoustic performance of a venue is through the use of acoustic curtains. These specialised curtains are designed with high-performance fabrics that absorb sound, reduce reflections, and stabilise the acoustic environment in a way that traditional materials cannot achieve.
Acoustic fabrics with excellent sound absorption properties offer a highly efficient method of controlling reverberation and unwanted echoes across different types of venues. Because many modern spaces are built with hard surfaces—such as concrete, glass, steel, and large open walls—sound tends to reflect aggressively, creating reverberation that can make speech difficult to understand and music challenging to enjoy. Acoustic curtains serve as an elegant solution by softening these reflections and helping the room achieve a more controlled acoustic response. Their versatility makes them suitable for gym halls, divisible multipurpose rooms, rehearsal studios, theatres, school halls, auditoriums, event spaces, and even live performance venues where sound quality is essential.
In most installations, acoustic curtains are used as perimeter curtains, positioned along the outer walls of a space to mask highly reflective surfaces and prevent sound from bouncing uncontrollably around the room. Unlike decorative drapery, these curtains are made from heavy, specialised fabrics designed specifically for sound absorption. Their thickness, density, and pleating are carefully chosen to ensure maximum acoustic benefit while still offering a visually clean and professional appearance. From small black-box theatres to large exhibition centres, acoustic curtains significantly improve the auditory experience, whether the space is used for spoken presentations, musical performances, sports events, or general multi-purpose activities.
The design and installation of acoustic curtains must be approached with precision. The height of the space, the volume of the room, the types of materials used in the construction, and the intended usage of the venue all influence the selection of the curtain system. Curtains that are too thin or improperly installed may provide little improvement, while well-designed acoustic curtains can make a transformative difference. This is where professional expertise becomes essential.
Artistic Controls is a specialist contractor with extensive experience in supplying and installing curtain systems for performance, education, commercial, and event venues. We work closely with JC Joels the curtain manufacturers to design and deliver custom acoustic curtain systems that effectively address the unique sound challenges of each venue. Our team carries out site evaluation, acoustic assessment, fabric selection, track design, and installation with a high level of precision, ensuring that the final solution not only enhances acoustic performance but also integrates seamlessly with the architecture and existing interior design.