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Wood Baffles

Vertical wood elements that bring warmth, rhythm, and sound control to open ceilings.

What Are Wood Baffles?

Wood baffles are vertical panels or fins made from solid wood or wood veneer over an MDF or composite core. They hang from the ceiling in parallel rows, creating a rhythmic visual pattern while providing acoustic treatment. The wood faces can be left natural, stained, or finished to match any interior palette.

Wood baffles sit at the premium end of the baffle spectrum. They cost more than felt or standard metal, but the visual impact is hard to beat. A ceiling full of wood baffles transforms a space in a way that other materials just can't replicate.

Commercial Applications

  • Corporate headquarters — Lobbies, reception areas, and executive floors where the ceiling makes a statement.
  • Higher education — University libraries, student centers, and lecture halls. Wood reads as warm and serious.
  • Hospitality — Hotel lobbies, resort common areas, and upscale restaurant ceilings.
  • Performing arts — Concert halls and theaters where acoustic performance and visual warmth both matter.
  • Cultural institutions — Museums, galleries, and civic buildings.
  • Healthcare — Medical center lobbies and waiting areas where a calming environment helps.

Benefits

  • Visual warmth: Nothing matches real wood for warmth and texture. It softens spaces dominated by glass, concrete, and steel.
  • Acoustic performance: With perforated or slotted faces over acoustical backing, wood baffles achieve NRC 0.60–0.85.
  • Species variety: White oak, walnut, maple, cherry, ash — whatever the architect wants. FSC-certified options available.
  • Finish options: Clear coat, stain, paint, or custom finish. Factory-applied for consistency.
  • Biophilic design: Wood in a building connects people to nature. Studies show it reduces stress and improves focus.
  • Long lifespan: Properly finished wood baffles last 30+ years in interior environments.

Installation

Wood baffles are heavier than felt and require a solid support system. We install carrier channels on threaded rod hung from the deck. Baffles attach to the carriers with concealed clips or brackets. The manufacturer provides shop drawings with exact hanger locations and load calculations.

Alignment is critical with wood. Any variation in spacing or height is immediately visible because your eye follows the grain lines. We use string lines and check every row with a laser. Butt joints between baffle sections get tight-fitted so the grain appears continuous.

Most wood baffle systems ship in pre-finished sections, typically 4'–12' long. We splice sections together on site to cover longer runs.

Specs

  • Materials: Solid wood, real wood veneer over MDF, or engineered composite
  • Baffle depth: 4"–16"
  • Thickness: 3/4" to 2"
  • Lengths: Up to 12' standard per section
  • NRC: 0.60–0.85 (with acoustical backing)
  • Fire rating: Class A achievable with fire-retardant treatment
  • Species: Oak, walnut, maple, cherry, ash, fir, cedar, and others

Manufacturers

9Wood and Rulon International are our primary wood baffle suppliers. Both are based in the Pacific Northwest and specialize in architectural wood ceiling and wall systems. Armstrong also offers wood baffles through their WoodWorks line for simpler applications. Each manufacturer has slightly different mounting systems and capabilities.

Get a Quote

Wood baffles need proper planning — species selection, finish, spacing, structural coordination. We work with the design team from early in the project to make sure everything lines up. Contact us to start the conversation.