Can you hang acoustic panels with command strips?
Overview
Yes, you can hang acoustic panels with command strips if you’re sticking them on a smooth surface and if the acoustic panels are lighter than the strip’s limit holding weight.
Command strips are adhesive strips designed to stick objects to different surfaces without damaging them, making them a suitable option for hanging acoustic panels without damaging a wall and without drilling.
However, command strips aren’t suitable for hanging acoustic panels when the strip itself doesn’t stick properly to the wall such as rough and non-stick surfaces, in high temperature or humid environments, or when the panels weigh over 10kg or 20lb (the max weight limit of 4 pairs of X-large command strips).
Let’s explore under which conditions you can hang acoustic panels with command strips.
Can command strips hold acoustic panels?
Yes, command strips will hold acoustic panels that don’t exceed their weight limit on the following surfaces:
- Painted walls
- Painted/varnished wood
- Painted cinder block or concrete
- Tile
- Metal
- Glass
- Laminates
- Smooth solid surfaces (most plastics, acrylic, pvc, PE, PP)
When command strips won’t hold acoustic panels?
Command strips won’t hold acoustic panels on rough and textured surfaces like the following:
- Textured walls
- Wallpaper
- Brick
- Fabric
- Other rough and Non-stick surfaces
Also, command strips won’t hold acoustic panels:
- In highly humid environments such as in the bathroom or in parts of the country with regular high humidity
- When temperatures exceed 40°C
- When the acoustic panel weight exceeds 5kg (10lb) for 2 pairs of strips or 10kg (20lb) for 4 pairs of strips
- In outdoor areas
How to use command strips to install acoustic panels or acoustic foam?
1. Choose an appropriate surface
Choose a smooth surface suitable for command strips such as painted walls, painted or varnished wood, painted cinder block or concrete, tile, metal, glass or laminate surfaces.
If the surface has been recently painted wait 7 days after painting before use.
2. Choose the right command command strip
Weigh your acoustic panels and choose a command strip or combination of strips designed to hold a heavier weight.
Keep in mind that command strips come in different weight capacities so choose a strip that’s strong enough or consider using multiple strips to hold the weight. When using multiple strips make sure you have room on the back of the panel to stick all of the strips required.
3. Clean the surface
Wipe the wall or surface with rubbing alcohol. To do so, put some rubbing alcohol on a cloth and gently wipe the area where you will stick the command strips.
Do not use household cleaners or just water for cleaning the surface as the strip won’t stick properly.
4. Prepare the acoustic panels
Identify where you’re going to place the command strips. If your acoustic panels have mounting hardware or wire you might need to stick the strips to these hardware pieces rather than directly to the back of the panel
Once identified the surface, clean it gently with rubbing alcohol.
5. Attach the command strips to the panel
To attach the command strips to the acoustic panel follow the instructions on the packaging. Most of them say the following:
- Separate the strips and click them together
- Remove one side of liners
- Stick on the acoustic panels and press firmly
6. Stick the acoustic panels to the wall
To stick the acoustic panels to the wall remove the remaining strip liners and press the panel firmly to the wall
7. Ensure the adhesive holds
To ensure the adhesive holds to the wall:
- Temporarily remove the acoustic panel from the wall by grabbing the panel from the bottom and peeling it off the wall (imagine there is a hinge at the top edge to the acoustic panel so the bottom of the panel comes off the wall first and the top part of the panel last)
- Ensure the strips are still attached to the wall. Press each strip firmly for 30 seconds.
8. Allow adhesion time
Wait for at least 1 hour for the adhesive to build
9. Test secure attachment
Gently pull and tug the panels to ensure they are safely attached to the wall. If they feel secure you have successfully hung your acoustic panels using command strips.
10. Monitor for changed conditions
Look out for increases in temperature and humidity. If temperature exceeds 40°C or if humidity rises considerably, consider peeling off the acoustic panels from the wall temporarily until normal conditions are reestablished.
What to do when command strips can’t hold your acoustic panels?
In this case you might need to change your acoustic panels for lighter ones or buy acoustic panels that come with a different mounting mechanism. However, these options usually damage walls.
For example, peel and stick acoustic panels are an excellent option as they offer high NRC values for excellent acoustic benefit and stick to walls easily.
Other options for how to install acoustic panels include buying regular acoustic panels and using a hammer and nails, foam tack or adhesive spray.
