Toronto Junior Middle School Installs New Acoustic Panels

  • By Matt Jones
  • 01/10/22

Islington Junior Middle School in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, which serves students in grades PreK–8, recently announced that it has installed new acoustic ceiling and wall tiles in four of its classrooms. The school opted for SONEX Valueline panels from pinta acoustic, inc., as a solution to help establish quieter classrooms as a means of boosting performance and reducing stress.

Previously, according to a news release, Islington JMS had been using fabric-wrapped fiberglass panels installed on walls and ceilings to dampen sound. Many of the panels were starting to come loose and fall from the ceiling. In the name of safety, the school’s administration removed the panels and began hunting for alternatives.

Rakesh Rana, interior sales manager for Sound Solutions, Inc., recommended the SONEX Valueline panels to the school. According to a press release, the SONEX panels are lightweight, flexible and are easy to attach to walls and ceilings using a specially designed adhesive.

“We have been working with the Toronto District School Board for over 50 years,” said Rana. “They wanted to mimic the original design in appearance. Offered in custom sizes and colors, SONEX Valueline panels were the best choice. Additionally, SONEX provides better sound absorption than the previous panels.”

The school saw a total of 5,664 square feet of new panels installed. The panels are 1-7/8” thick. Each classroom has 144 SONEX Valueline panels on the ceiling, each of them 24”x48” and installed with pinta’s acouSTIC adhesive to match the contours of the curved ceiling. Likewise, each classroom saw the installation of 30 more 48”x96” panels to cover the walls, again using the adhesive.

“The previous, fabric-wrapped fiberglass panels had to be split on the back before installation to follow the contour of the ceilings,” said Rana. “They were mechanically fastened to the walls and ceilings using clips attached to rails. SONEX panels were much easier to install in this application. A team of people from the school board installed the panels to walls and ceilings in all four classrooms.”

About the Author

Matt Jones is senior editor of Spaces4Learning. He can be reached at [email protected].

Featured

  • University of Kentucky Stormwater Harvesting System Receives Award

    The Utilities and Energy Management team from the University of Kentucky recently received a Grand Award at the 2025 Engineering Excellence Awards, according to a university news release. The award from the American Council of Engineering Companies of Kentucky was for the university’s Central Utility Plant (CUP) Stormwater Harvesting System, which activated in fall 2023.

  • Duncanville High School Breaks Ground on New CTE Building

    Duncanville High School in Duncanville, Texas, recently held a groundbreaking ceremony for the newest addition to its campus, a Career and Technical Education (CTE) facility. The new building is part of a larger CTE expansion project for the school included in a 2023, $170-million bond program.

  • Image courtesy of Armstrong International

    The Modern Hot Water System Approach to Keep Higher Education Buildings Safe and Operational

    Higher education campuses face unique structural and operational demands. With a range of old and new buildings, a variety of facility types, and ambitious sustainability goals, it's essential that no aspect of infrastructural performance is overlooked. Facility managers must be equipped to provide a safe, reliable and efficient space for students, faculty and guests.

  • Abstract colorful arrows in front of a contemporary university building

    Spaces4Learning 2025 Trends in Higher Education

    With 2025 well underway, it’s time to take a look at some broader trends submitted by you, our Spaces4Learning readership. We asked for your thoughts on topics like classroom design, health & safety, materials & construction, and technology in both K–12 and higher-education environments. Below is a roundup of 2025 trends in higher education from the experts in the trenches.

Digital Edition