Last updated: October 2026
Acoustic wood slat panels are wall and ceiling panels made of wooden slats mounted on a sound-absorbing felt backing. They reduce echo in a room and add the warmth of a timber feature wall at the same time. At Thula Wall, our Akupanels are designed and made in Denmark by WoodUpp, sold across South Africa, and either installed by you or by our nationwide installation team.
This guide covers everything you need to decide: sizes, finishes, prices, where they work, how they are installed, and what to check before you buy.
What is an acoustic slat panel made of?
Each Akupanel has three parts:
- Slats made of MDF with a wood veneer finish (or a wood-textured foil on our "Wrapped" range).
- Acoustic felt backing made from recycled plastic, which absorbs sound passing between the slats.
- A 13mm continuation of felt on the edge of each panel, so panels sit side by side with no visible join.
Our veneers are hand-picked by the WoodUpp team in Denmark, and the acoustic felt is made in Sweden for acoustic performance. Here is how that compares with budget foil-wrapped imports.
What sizes do Thula Wall panels come in?
All Akupanels are 600mm wide and 22mm thick. Each slat is 27mm wide with a 13mm gap between slats.
| Panel | Size (H × W) | Coverage per panel | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Akupanel 60 | 600 × 600mm | 0.36 m² | Pattern walls, small features |
| Akupanel 120 | 1200 × 600mm | 0.72 m² | Headboards, half walls, kitchen islands |
| Akupanel 240 | 2400 × 600mm | 1.44 m² | Standard feature walls and ceilings |
| Akupanel 300 | 3000 × 600mm | 1.8 m² | Double-volume and high walls |
If your wall is taller than 2.4m, you can use the 300cm panel, cut and stack additional panels, or centre the panels and finish the top or bottom with lighting or another material.
Which finishes are available?
Finishes fall into four groups:
- Classic Oak with black, grey or beige felt, plus a Black Core version where the MDF edge is black.
- Walnut and Black Ash real wood veneers.
- Rustic veneers in Natural, Brown, Grey and Smoked Oak and Smoked Larch, which show knots and natural cracks.
- Colour and Wrapped finishes, including Snow, Cloud, Moss, Stone, Copper Oxide and wood-textured foils such as English Oak and English Walnut.
Real wood varies from panel to panel in grain, knots and colour, and it changes colour slowly with light. That is character, not a defect. Because screens distort colour, we strongly recommend ordering A4 samples before you commit.
How much do acoustic slat panels cost?
A 2400 × 600mm Akupanel costs between R1,850 and R3,195, which works out to roughly R1,285 to R2,220 per square metre depending on the finish. Wrapped finishes are the most affordable; Rustic, Black Ash and Copper Oxide are at the top of the range. For a full breakdown by size and finish, plus a worked example for a typical TV wall, see our acoustic slat panel price guide.
Where do slat panels work best?
- Living rooms and TV walls, where tiled floors and large windows make rooms echo.
- Bedrooms, as a headboard using the 120cm panel.
- Home offices, to make video calls sound clearer.
- Ceilings, where they absorb sound without taking up wall space.
- Kitchen islands and bar counters, using half panels.
- Offices, restaurants, retail and hospitality spaces.
Akupanels are for indoor use only. Do not install them in areas exposed to water or steam, such as showers. For outdoor walls, garage doors and facades, use our Aluwood outdoor range, made from thermally treated spruce on powder-coated aluminium.
Do slat panels actually improve acoustics?
Yes, for echo. The felt absorbs sound reflecting inside the room, which makes speech clearer and a room feel calmer. As a guide, cover about 25% of a room's wall area to make a noticeable difference. Slat panels do not soundproof a wall, though; they won't stop noise from a neighbour. We explain the difference in do acoustic slat panels reduce noise?
Can I install them myself?
Yes. Akupanels are fixed with adhesive or with screws through the felt into the wall or ceiling. Plug points, light switches and TV mounts are cut out with a jigsaw or track saw. Our step-by-step guides cover standard walls, ceilings, mineral wool backing and garage doors. Finish the edges with 22mm finishing slats, or use 67mm slats to make a shelf-style top on a headboard.
What if I want it professionally installed?
Our full-service installation covers product advice, quoting, scheduling, delivery and installation, for homes, offices, retail and hospitality projects. Send us your wall measurements and a photo and our team replies with a quote within 48 hours. Most installations are completed in a single day. Installation is priced separately from the panels and comes with a 24-month workmanship guarantee. Request an installation quote, or read how our installation service works.
Where can I see the panels in person?
You can see and touch the full range at our 6 showrooms in Johannesburg (Kramerville and Riversands), Cape Town (Green Point), Stellenbosch, George and Ballito. Online orders can be collected free from our Riversands warehouse in Johannesburg. Showroom addresses and hours.
Frequently asked questions
Are Thula Wall panels real wood?
Most finishes use a real wood veneer over an MDF core. Finishes labelled "Wrapped" use a high-quality wood-textured foil instead of real veneer.
Can I paint or oil the panels?
We don't recommend it. The panels are left untreated to keep their natural look, and finishes can change the colour and texture.
Can I use slat panels in a bathroom?
No. Akupanels are for indoor use away from water and steam.
Can I return panels if I change my mind?
Online orders can be cancelled within 14 days of delivery if the panels are unused and uninstalled. Panels cut to size, including 1200mm half panels, can't be returned for a change of mind. See our refund policy.
How do I pay?
By card, through Payflex, or by EFT. EFT orders are dispatched once funds clear. Delivery is calculated at checkout based on your location and order size.
Ready to start? Order samples, shop Akupanels, or request a quote and let our team handle it.
