Are Wood Slats or Metal Slats Better? A Comparison Guide

Whether for a home or office, slatwall panels make a great addition to any room. One of the first decisions you have to make when installing them, however, is which material to use. Minimalist metal or welcoming wood? Both materials are visually striking, but each has vastly different effects on a room. 

Wood slats add a natural character and feelings of warmth. They also add a textural element to the wall, as wood helps to break up the monotony of a solid-colored wall. 

Both metal and wood slats can boost a space’s aesthetics. Mounted vertically, they can make a room look taller than it is. This helps rooms with lower ceilings feel less cramped. Alternatively, when installed horizontally, they can make walls appear wider than they are. 

For rectangular rooms with two walls narrower than the others, wall panels can help keep a room from feeling like the walls are closing in. If you're curious about how to make wood wall panels that blend into your room and its decor, make sure you consider the direction of the wood grain.

Material types also play with lighting. Metal can sometimes cause unwanted glare, and wood tends to absorb light better. Furthermore, as the sun moves across the sky, unique patterns will be thrown onto the other surfaces in the room, meaning the appearance of a room can change dramatically throughout the day. 

Arguably the most dramatic difference between metal and wooden wall panels is their effect on sound. Metal slats amplify sound and can cause echoes. This makes them a poor choice for closed spaces where meetings or presentations are held. 

Wood, on the other hand, absorbs sound. This makes it a great choice for living rooms, music rooms, and libraries. The thickness of the wood also affects its sound-absorbing qualities, so you should consider what size wood to use for slat paneling.

Similarly, wood panels help to dampen the cacophony of noise from cocktail party conversations. This can help with the problem of people talking ever more loudly in an effort to be heard over the conversations of others. 

Lastly, it isn’t only the material, but the shape of panels that affects the sound. Wood slats tend to resemble a wave or zigzag in appearance. These shapes help to physically break up sound waves and cause them to reflect away from the listener, rather than back at them. Metal slats can accomplish this, but have fewer options in terms of shape. 

When it comes to benefiting the environment, wood slats are a clear favorite above metal. Wood slats are often made from sustainable sources such as scrap, reclaimed, or recycled wood, making them far less energy-intensive to manufacture. 

Wood is also less energy-intensive for your home. It is a fantastic insulator and can help keep indoor temperatures stable. Metal slats quickly absorb and transfer both heat and cold. On a cold day, a metal wall can be freezing, and on a sunny afternoon, a metal wall may be scalding hot from sunlight alone.

At 27estore, we specialize in wood paneling that is visually appealing, acoustically dampening, and environmentally friendly–all while maintaining an affordable price point. Our slats are also designed for fast installation, saving you money on labor costs. Examine the full selection on display at 27estore, and let us help transform your home today!