News
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What are Resilent bars and what do they do?
Resilient Bars are used to virtually decouple a wall or ceiling from the main structure to reduce vibration and impact noise. They are suitable for use in refurbishments and new build constructions; particularly in timber frame structures and suitable for use on the underside of timber and metal joisted construction at 600mm or 450mm centres. They can also be used to separate timber and metal studwork or masonry walls.
Resilient Bars are thin vibration absorbing steel channels which are used on timber studs for walls and fixed beneath timber joists for ceilings. This solution is designed to create a 30mm void within the construction which optimises acoustic performance by reducing sound transmission through ceiling and wall structures. This allows the new wall or ceiling to be de-coupled from the main structure and will reduce both vibration and impact noise penetration.
Resilient Bar for Ceilings
Resilient Bars are essential for bringing suspended timber floors into compliance with Building Regulations Part E (England and Wales), Section 5 (Scotland) and Part G (Northern Ireland) by achieving noise control through converted separating floors for flats. When used in connection with other sound insulating materials, the resilient bars will create an effective acoustic break between the bottom of existing joists and ceilings.
Alternatively, Noise Reducing Resilient Bars can be supported by 50mm square battens screwed to the underside of any existing ceiling. The fitting of the Bars along with a double layer of 12.5mm acoustic plasterboard will achieve around 11dB improvement. Combined with our 100mm Rockwwool Flexi-Slab between the joists and a double layer of 12.5mm Acoustic Plasterboard, this sound reduction solution would achieve a 16dB improvement.
Resilient Bars used with Acoustic Plasterboard
Acoustic plasterboard can be screwed to the corrugated section of the Resilient Bar using self-drilling screws. For optimised acoustic performance, two layers of 25mm thickness (minimum) should be installed. Using 50mm of Rockwoll Flexi-Slab would further enhance the acoustic performance when installed between the battens before fixing the acoustic plasterboard.
When installed beneath an existing ceiling with Flexi-Slab and 30mm of plasterboard, expected improvements in both airborne noise and impact sound would achieve 300% improvement and can be further enhanced if SoundBlocker Membrane is applied between the acoustic plasterboard layers.
Resilient Bars for Walls
Resilient Bar systems are used to help reduce noise transmission between wall structures. Resilient Bars are also recommended to upgrade party walls; particularly effective at reducing loud music or bass sound. Ideally you would build a new stud batten frame spaced about 25mm away from the existing wall.
This would create a sealed air gap between the new wall and the existing one. Fill in between the studs with Rockwool Flexi-Slab and it does not matter if the wool comes into contact with the existing wall. This is loose fitted and should not be installed too tightly. Screw the Resilient Bars onto the frame horizontally using self-drilling screws followed by a layer of 12.5 mm Acoustic Plasterboard.
We recommend using a layer of Soundproof Matting bonded to the first layer of plasterboard with our contact adhesive.
To finish the application, add a final layer of acoustic plasterboard. You need to make sure that both layers of plasterboard do not touch the surrounding walls, floor or ceiling. Fill in the small gap with flexible non-hardening acoustic sealant and then your whole system will be independent and floating on the bars.
For questions on how to install and meet building regulations, please contact a member of our team
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Minimum Space, Maximum Sound Reduction
A new soundproofing system has launched here at Sound Insulation Store. This system is perfect for homes/rooms where space can't be compromised whilst soundproofing.
Call 01928571856 or visit our website www.soundinsulationstore.co.uk for more details -
USING ACOUSTILAY TO SOUNDPROOF LAMINATE AND TIMBER FLOORING
What to consider when using a laminate or timber flooring
Laminate and timber flooring has become increasingly popular over the years with many people preferring it over more traditional carpeting. However, this modern trend for laminate and timber flooring can have significant implications for the soundproofing quality of your building – increasing airborne and impact noise distribution and causing a disturbance to neighbours.
How to reduce noise distribution when using laminate and timber flooring.
Acoustilay is the most advanced acoustic flooring system on the market. The product is easy to cut and install and is ideal for domestic, commercial and industrial applications. All our Acoustilay products provide excellent noise reduction performance and offer the user a range of benefits:
- Improves sound reduction performance for both impact and airborne noise
- Effective for concrete and timber joisted substrates
- Easy to cut, shape and install
- Can allow access to existing floor
- Minimises increases to floor levels
- Has applications for both new build & conversion projects
- Helps to meet legislative obligations such as Part E of the Building regulations
- Now 100% recyclable and manufactured in the UK
Our range of Acoustilay products
Acoustilay 3 has an overall thickness of 10mm. It is highly effective for impact noise reduction and can be applied to both timber and concrete floors. It has a resilient base and the attenuating layer has a thinner flexible membrane. Acoustilay 8 has an overall thickness of 12mm. It offers high performance soundproofing for impact noise as well as providing some airborne noise applications – these will depend on the structure.
Acoustilay 8 has the same resilient base as Acoustilay 3 and is bonded to one attenuating layer. Acoustilay 15 has an overall thickness of 15mm. It gives excellent soundproofing for both impact and airborne noise distribution. It has two flexible attenuating layers which are bonded to a resilient foam core.
Installation guide for fitting Acoustilay with timber and laminate flooring
When installing Acoustilay beneath laminate or timber flooring it is necessary to also install Acoustilay mdf – this should be fitted between the Acoustilay insulation and the laminate or timber flooring. The use of Acoustilay mdf improves stability for the floor finish and prevents problems due to point loading, carpet rucking, and joint damage to the floor finish. For further instructions please see our comprehensive installation guide.