by Shane Henson — August 19, 2013—Hunter Douglas Architectural Products launched a new high-performance acoustical ceiling solution earlier this month that is suitable for a variety of spaces, including offices, classrooms, and libraries.
The company’s Echelon Frame and Panel System combines ease of access to building services with a sophisticated look for ceiling planes. The new system features the thinnest visible grid in the market in combination with the largest selection of mass customizable acoustical ceiling surfaces, claims the company.
Fine extruded lines frame each panel surface, and an integrated linear fixture creates a very refined look for the ceiling. In addition, the acoustical panel surfaces carry a noise reduction coefficient (NRC) of 0.85 and are up to 4′ x 4′ in size. The panels are available in white, but can also be mass customized in any color or textured print, such as woods and leathers, says Hunter Douglas.
Environmentally, the Echelon System’s formaldehyde-free acoustical panels use 50 percent less material resources than traditional acoustical ceiling tiles and consist of 30 percent recycled content, says Hunter Douglas. The aluminum extrusions of the system are treated in an environmentally friendly anodizing process and the surface colors and prints are applied through a sublimation technology that uses only a fraction of ink with no solvents or water. These and other attributes helped the product earn GREENGUARD Gold certification.
Hunter Douglas adds that the Echelon System does not compromise a high level of floor space, giving architects and designers larger interiors and the potential for additional floors in multilevel buildings.
