Hi @jonalissa,
Thank you for your question about mounting the Prempanel Acoustic Panels.
The installation instructions for these panels don't call for screw fixing unless they are used on a ceiling, or double stacked on a very high wall. When screws need to be used, they should be driven through the felt backing as opposed to the timber battens.
You can drill into the battens, but they should not be used to mount heavy items such as mirrors, TVs or wall hung cabinets as they are not structural in any way.
If you wanted to mount something like a small clock or a painting, there should be no issue at all.
To avoid splitting, it is always best to put a pilot hole in the timber to accommodate the screw. A screw will make the timber expand outwards to accommodate the additional volume of the screw. A pilot hole removes material, so the screw has a place to sit, meaning the outward expansion is minimised and consequently the risk of splitting is minimised.
Did you have a particular project in mind that you might like some assistance with? I'd be happy to help if you had any concerns.
Let me know if you have any further questions.
Jacob
