Acoustic ceilings are used to help reduce Airborne and Impact noise transmission through a separating floor. There are now many different types of systems available, they all have their benefits, but they can be classed into the 3 main groups
Resilient Bar systems
These systems are products that screw into the underside of the joists.
Isomax Resilient Bar
This system is designed for installing a Resilient Ceiling system, it provides extra isolation and is less likely to be installed incorrectly.
Isosonic Hangers
This is a unique system that allows you to suspend larger mass systems than possible with just ordinary Resilient Bars, this is provides an easy method of extending the ceiling void although the joists do have to be straight.
Sound Breaker / Resilient Bars
are acoustic isolation channels suitable for use on the underside of timber joists and metal and timber stud partition walls. They normally come in 3m lengths and are screwed across the underside of the existing joists. You must be careful to ensure that when fixing plasterboard to Resilient Bar you do not screw into joists, it is therefore preferable to mark the position of Joists on the wall during installation.
Metal Frame ceiling systems
These systems are a way of creating a new suspended ceiling, there are 2 main types,
Grid system for offices
The grid systems are largely used in offices for creating voids for services, they also allow use of absorptive tiles to reduce echo within a room.
channel systems for Dwellings
Once again voids for services can be created but this type of system can cope with heavier loads meaning that you can fix up to 2 layers of 15mm plasterboard to the underside of the frame. This type of system can be further enhanced by using Resilient fixing brackets such as the 2 types below, although they can not be interchanged between systems.
Gyp frame Acoustic Hanger
These Resilient hangers are used in conjunction with CasoLine mf ceiling system and timber joist ceilings and floors for increased acoustic performance.
Lafarge GTEC Phonissimo Acoustic Hanger
An acoustic suspended ceiling hanger for use with the Lafarge GTEC Suspended MF Ceiling System. This product provides a means of absorbing vibrations through the metal frame ceiling system, it has the effect of reducing Airborne and Impact noise transmission through the structure. Has to be used in conjunction with Lafarge Metal Frame ceiling only
Independent Ceiling Systems
There is only one true independent ceiling system, it is basically defined as a system that is supported only from the side walls, there must be no connection with the original ceiling. These types of ceiling are constructed from timber joists supported from the walls using standard joist hangers off Wall plates, you then fit insulation between the joists and add plasterboard (normally 2 layers to the underside). It is important to know that you have to get a structural engineer to check what size of joists are required in your situation, as the bigger the room then the larger the joist you will need.
There are no special products required here other than standard building materials such as Insulation Slab, Timber joists and plasterboard.
Insulation between joists
we normally advise using a dense mineral fibre slab (min density 45kg/m3) . The product normally comes in slabs at this density, you should use around 100mm thickness in most situations, but ensure that the whole width of the void is filled. There are 2 main versions of mineral fibre.
For a wide range of ceiling systems visit our Acoustic Ceiling Insulation page
Rocksil
SoundSlab is a non-combustible, high performance acoustic slab manufactured from mineral wool. with an inorganic binder
Rockwool slab
Insulation, this product comes in packs, the coverage per pack depends on the thickness required. There are also various densities depending on your intended use, the standard sizes are 30mm , 50mm , 75mm and 100mm
Plasterboard
We supply all types of Plasterboard, Including:
Soundboard
Vapour Shield
Moisture Resistant
Fireshield
Standard
Plasterboard Plank
We also stock most thicknesses including , 9.5mm x12.5mm, 15mm and 19mm
For a wide range of insulation materials please visit our thermal insulation page.