What are Resilient Bars and what do they do?

Resilient Bar Install Guide

Resilient Bars are metal channels supplied in 2.4m - 3m lengths. They are used to decouple a wall or ceiling from the main structure, reducing airborne, vibration and impact noise.

They are suitable for use in refurbishments and new build constructions, particularly in timber frame structures. They are typically fixed on the underside of timber and metal joisted construction at 400mm - 600mm centres, depending on what weight carrying capacity you would like to achieve. They can also be used to separate timber and metal studwork or masonry walls.

This ingenious solution is designed to reduce sound whilst only creating a 13mm - 30mm void within the construction, which optimises acoustic performance whilst keeping the loss of ceiling height or wall depth to a minimum, saving on precious room space. The aim is to decouple a new wall or ceiling from the main structure to reduce airborne, 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 Rockwool Slab Insulation 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 15mm thickness (12.5mm minimum) should be installed. Using 25 - 100 mm of Rockwool RW45 Acoustic Insulation further enhances the acoustic performance when installed between the battens before fixing the acoustic plasterboard. 

When installed beneath an existing ceiling with RW45 and 30mm of plasterboard, expected improvements in both airborne noise and impact sound would achieve 300% improvement and can be further enhanced if Tecsound Self Adhesive 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 airborne noise such as music, tv and conversations.

Ideally, you would build a new stud batten frame spaced 10 mm away from the existing wall, attaching the res bars to this before fitting your choice of acoustic board.

This creates a sealed air gap between the new wall and the existing one. Fill in between the studs with Rockwool RW45 Slabs; it does not matter if the wool comes into contact with the existing wall. The rockwool shouldn't be fitted too tightly, as this risks bridging the sound. It should be loose-fitted, avoiding compression. Screw the Resilient Bars onto the frame horizontally using wood screws, followed by a layer of 12.5 mm Acoustic Plasterboard fitted only into the resilient bar using drywall screws. The fixing's length should be calculated properly to avoid bridging sound through the bars into the structure.

We recommend using a layer of Tescound Self-Adhesive Membrane bonded to the first layer of plasterboard, finishing the application with a final layer of acoustic plasterboard.

Ensure that both layers of plasterboard do not touch the surrounding walls, floor or ceiling. We recommend a 5mm expansion gap, using packers on the floor to help support the plasterboard. Fill in the expansion gap, along with any air gaps, with a flexible non-hardening acoustic sealant. After following these steps, you will have achieved an acoustic wall system that is independent, reducing both airborne and impact noise whilst preventing flanking noise.

Handling:

Our resilient bars are commonly shipped separately via courier to avoid damage in transit. Take care not to bend the bars when transporting on site.

How to Cut Resilient Bars:

To cut the bars, you can use Tin Snips or a hacksaw.

Safety First: Always wear protective gloves and safety goggles when cutting metal, as the edges are very sharp and small shards can fly off.

Mark the Cut: Use a marker pen to clearly mark the desired cut line on the resilient bar.

Shop The Range:

Which Resilient Bar best suits my needs?

Check out our Soundproofing Systems:

 

https://www.soundinsulationstore.co.uk/pages/systems

 

For technical questions regarding how to install or acheive building regulations, please contact a member of our team.

Telephone01928 571 856

Emailhello@soundinsulationstore.co.uk

Contact form: Click Here

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