The phone box has become an essential feature of modern open-plan offices. With the rise in phone calls, video conferences and the need for concentration, it provides a quiet space without the need for major building work.
However, before investing between €5,000 and €15,000 (excl. VAT) per booth, there are many questions to consider:
- acoustic performance,
- installation,
- ventilation,
- price,
- maintenance and lifespan.
This phonebox FAQ brings together the most common questions from office managers, finance departments, CSR managers and executives in the purchasing phase.
You will find concrete answers, figures and useful benchmarks to help you assess your project with complete transparency.
Definition, acoustic performance, installation, comfort, uses, customisation, budget, maintenance, mobility and environmental impact: the answers are organised by theme to allow you to quickly access the information you are looking for.
Understanding what a phone box is and what it is used for
Before looking at performance or budget, it is useful to go back to basics.
- What is a phone box?
- What is it used for?
- What models are currently available on the market?
What exactly is a phone box?
A phone box is a closed, freestanding and demountable unit designed to create a private space within an office. It features soundproofing, ventilation, LED lighting and connectivity. It accommodates between 1 and 6 people, depending on the model. The terms phone box, acoustic booth, phonebooth, soundproof booth or acoustic box all refer to the same type of equipment.
What is the difference between a phone box and a traditional meeting room?
A phone box occupies between 0.9 and 3 m² of floor space. It can be installed in 40 to 60 minutes without any building work and simply plugs into a socket. A meeting room generally requires 8 to 15 m², partitioning work and several months to complete.
The booth offers lower costs and is fully reversible. However, its capacity is limited to 6 or 8 people.
What is the purpose of an acoustic booth in the office?
The main uses are confidential calls, video conferences, quick group meetings and work requiring concentration.
The booth also helps to reduce noise in open-plan offices, improves the quality of life at work and contributes to the attractiveness of the workspace. Some standing models also encourage postural breaks.
What types of phone boxes are available on the market?
Standing solo booths are suitable for short calls. Seated solo models are better suited to video conferences and long sessions. Duo booths facilitate confidential discussions between two people. Models for 4 or 6 people provide an alternative to small meeting rooms.
Why install a phone box rather than expand office space?
An Essentielle single-person booth starts at €5,150 excluding VAT. By way of comparison, office partitioning often costs several thousand euros per square metre. A booth takes up around 1 m², whereas a closed room requires more space. The installation time is also shorter, and the booth can be moved when relocating.
Everything you need to know about the acoustic performance of a phone box
Sound insulation is the first criterion assessed by users. It is this that determines the booth’s actual effectiveness in everyday use.
How much noise reduction does a high-quality phone box offer?
A high-performance booth generally reduces noise by 25 to 30 dB in real-world conditions. Essentielle booths achieve up to 30.3 dB of reduction. In practical terms, a lively conversation at around 60 dB is perceived as a mere whisper of about 30 dB.
Can conversations be heard from outside the booth?
At normal volume, conversations are generally not intelligible from outside. If someone speaks very loudly, certain sounds may be audible without the content being understandable. Inside, ambient noise remains significantly reduced to help maintain concentration.
How does the sound insulation in a phone box work?
The insulation relies on several complementary elements: acoustic laminated glass, high-density sound-absorbing foam, seals around the door and a ventilation system designed to limit the spread of noise. Together, these elements work simultaneously to absorb and dampen sound.
Does acoustic performance vary depending on the installation location?
Yes. A booth installed in a very busy environment provides a greater contrast effect than in a room that is already quiet. It is recommended to keep a clear space around the booth and to avoid placing it directly against glass walls.
Installation and fitting out of a phone box
Installation is often simpler than you might think. A few preliminary checks are usually sufficient.
Does a phone box require any fitting-out work?
No. The booth is placed on an existing floor and connected to a standard electrical socket. No structural work or alterations to the premises are required. For floors without a lift, an additional charge may apply.
How long does it take to assemble a soundproof booth?
Assembly time varies depending on the model. Allow approximately 40 minutes for an S model, 45 minutes for an S Bureau, and 60 minutes for M, L and XL models. Installation is carried out by a dedicated team.
What floor and ceiling height are required?
The floor must be flat and capable of supporting the weight of the booth. As the external height is 212 cm, a minimum ceiling height of 222 cm is required. A greater clearance above is preferable to optimise ventilation.
How much space should be left around the booth?
It is advisable to leave approximately 2 metres in front of the door and at least 50 cm around the booth. This space facilitates opening, air circulation and contributes to acoustic performance.
Where should a phone box be placed to ensure maximum use?
Ideally, it should be installed on the edge of an open-plan office, in an easily accessible area but not overly exposed. A booth that is too isolated is often underused. Discreet signage helps to make it more visible.
Comfort inside an acoustic booth
Comfort directly influences how readily teams adopt the booth. Ventilation, lighting and a sense of space are essential.
Is ventilation sufficient for long sessions?
Yes, provided the booth is correctly sized. Airflow rates vary from 280 m³/h to 750 m³/h depending on the model. Complete air renewal takes less than 40 seconds across the entire range.
How long can you stay in a phone box?
Standing models are suitable for short periods of use, generally up to 15 minutes. Seated models allow you to work or hold discussions for 30 minutes to 2 hours in comfortable conditions.
Is the lighting suitable for video calls?
Yes. The booths feature 800-lumen LED lighting with a warm 3000 K colour temperature. This colour temperature improves on-screen appearance and reduces eye strain. A dimmer allows you to adjust the brightness as required.
Is there a risk of feeling confined or claustrophobic?
The risk is minimised thanks to the glass surfaces and continuous ventilation. A glass back panel can be added to increase natural light and visually open up the interior space.
Who is a phone box suitable for, and for what purposes?
The size depends on the profile of the teams and the intended uses.
How many phone boxes should be provided for an open-plan office?
The most common rule is to provide one booth for every 10 to 15 workstations. Teams that spend a lot of time on the phone generally require more booths.
Is a phone box suitable for long video conferences?
Yes. Seated models are designed to accommodate extended video conferences thanks to their ventilation, connectivity and interior comfort.
Which departments benefit most from a phone box in the office?
Sales, HR, management, customer relations, R&D and development teams make particular use of this type of equipment. Requirements vary depending on call frequency and the level of confidentiality required.
Customisation and options for an acoustic booth
The booths can be adapted to each company’s visual identity and layout requirements.
Can the design of a phone box be customised?
Yes. Several exterior finishes, interior fabrics and colour combinations are available. Branding in the company’s colours can also be considered for certain projects.
Can the direction in which the door opens be changed?
Yes. The door is reversible. The choice is usually specified at the time of ordering to optimise the layout within the premises.
Can a built-in screen be added to the booth?
Yes, on the M, L and XL models. This option facilitates hybrid meetings, presentations and video conferences with multiple participants.
What options are available to improve natural light?
The glass back panel option allows more light to enter the workspace whilst reducing the feeling of confinement.
Maintenance, lifespan and after-sales service
The total cost of ownership must be analysed over several years.
What is the lifespan of a phone booth?
A high-quality booth generally has a lifespan of between 8 and 15 years. The most heavily used components can be replaced independently of the structure.
What warranty is offered on an acoustic booth?
Essentielle booths come with a 3-year warranty against manufacturing defects. Electrical components are covered for 2 years.
How should a phone box be maintained on a daily basis?
Maintenance involves simple tasks: cleaning surfaces, maintaining the glass panels, vacuuming the fabric, and regularly checking the connections.
Is there an after-sales service in the event of a breakdown or fault?
Yes. An after-sales service supports customers throughout the warranty period, with long-term availability of spare parts.
Moving and relocating a phone box
Mobility is one of the main advantages of this type of equipment.
Can a phone box be moved around the office?
Yes. The phone boxes are fitted with built-in castors and adjustable levelling feet, allowing them to be moved across most floor surfaces.
Can a booth be completely dismantled for a move?
Yes. Ideally, this should be carried out by a professional to preserve the integrity of the product and the manufacturer’s warranty.
Can the booth be moved as part of a complete company relocation?
Yes. The booth can be dismantled, transported and then reassembled in new premises. This reusability represents a significant economic advantage.
Environmental considerations, CSR and the end of a phone box’s life
Environmental criteria are playing an increasingly important role in fit-out projects.
Can a phone box be made from recycled materials?
Yes. Essentielle phone boxes incorporate up to 60% recycled materials. Some fabrics are made from 100% post-consumer recycled polyester.
What happens to a phone box at the end of its life?
The components can be separated and sent to the appropriate recycling channels. A phone box can also be resold on the second-hand market or donated as part of a circular economy approach.
Is buying a phone box really an eco-friendly choice?
It all depends on its design, where it is manufactured and its lifespan. A locally produced, repairable and durable booth has a more favourable environmental impact than a product with a short lifespan.
Choosing a phone booth involves many decisions regarding acoustic performance, comfort, budget, durability and environmental impact. This FAQ has been designed to provide concrete answers to each of these questions and help you make an informed comparison of the available solutions.
Essentielle designs and manufactures five models of acoustic booths in the Drôme region. The range is certified Origine France Garantie, rated Eco Impact A, comes with a 3-year warranty and is available for express delivery within 2 weeks for standard configurations.
