Hunter Douglas introduces XLnt, extra flat, swing-down acoustic ceiling panels

Hunter Douglas presents its unique, new, composite ceiling panels with a swing-down system: XLnt. The layered composition – based on composite technology from the aviation industry – gives the panels an unrivalled stiffness, largely a result of the honeycomb aluminium inside the panels. Even the largest sizes available, measuring 1.25 by 2.5 metres, do not bend or sag. This offers architects tremendous freedom in creating their own designs without worrying about tensile stress. The flatness of the XLnt panels, in combination with their measurements and the small seam running around each one, ensures an aesthetically attractive and smooth ceiling design. Thanks to the swing-down system, each separate panel is easy to access, offering installers and engineers easy access to any part of the plenum space. “And the fact that the panels swing down across the width means they cause minimal obstruction on the path beneath,” says Martin van der Meijden, Product Manager Ceilings at Hunter Douglas. 

The ceiling panels are available in two variations: a closed, three-layered variation that is entirely flat; and an open, perforated, four-layered variation with a high sound absorption value (α_w 0.75). Both panel types are B-classified by Eurobrand.  

The swing-down system means each separate panel, once mounted, is easy to pull down. “Installers and engineers have easy access to the plenum space,” continues Martin van der Meijden. “Undoing the little clamps takes just a few seconds, while the panel always remains securely fastened. Also, the panels swing down across the width, so that the path below is hardly obstructed.”

Both panel types are B-classified by Eurobrand, which means they are suitable for almost every kind of application or building. The closed variation has the Eurobrand classification B, s1 (smoke, etc.) and d0 (burning drops, etc.). The acoustic panel has B, s1, d0 classification

The closed panel consists of three layers: an aluminium front of 0.95 millimetres, an aluminium honeycomb and an aluminium back of 0.5 mm. Each panel’s total thickness is 2.5 cm. The acoustic, perforated version is made up of four layers, with an acoustic layer of glass fibre placed against its inside for extra sound absorption. This panel’s sound absorption value is (α_w 0.75), which is directly related to the panel’s high degree of openness.

The diameter of the perforations on the front is 1.5 mm and the distance between the perforations is 3 mm. The result is an openness of 22.7 %. The perforations at the back of the acoustic panel are 3 mm in diameter, with 5 mm interspaces, resulting in 35% openness.

The XLnt ceiling panels are specially designed for spaces in which architects wish to use large, flat finishing elements, such as airports, train and metro stations, offices and other utility buildings.