Installation Overview.

This installation overview (please click on the installation submenu above for area specific guidance) provides guidance for handling and installing Acoustiblok®. Acoustiblok material is heavy (4-1/2 pounds (2 kg) per linear foot), and must be installed correctly for effective noise reduction in the finished structure. All tools and materials required for Acoustiblok installation (except common hand tools) are available as one order from Acoustiblok, please see our accessories page.   
                                                                    Commercial Master Roll on RD350 Roll Dispenser
     
Handling & Preparation

Fig 1                                  Fig 2                               Fig 3

Acoustiblok is very heavy and must be delivered to the site and handled accordingly. 30, 60, and 350 foot rolls weigh 150, 300, and 1600 pounds (68, 136, 725 kg). It is safe to expose Acoustiblok to all weather conditions, however, it must be clean and dry when installed. On site, Acoustiblok is usually moved by hand truck (small jobs), forklift (large jobs), or crane/elevator (high rise). At install time, distribute rolls of Acoustiblok to location(s) convenient to where the installers will be working. Fig 1 and Fig 2 show normal handling for 30 and 60 ft (9 and 18 meter) rolls at a residential site.
               

Fig 4                                                                         Fig 5

To prepare Acoustiblok for installation, place the roll onto an Acoustiblok RD350 roll dispenser. An "A-Frame" stand can be improvised from scrap lumber and pipe [Fig 3], but the RD350 dispenser is the safest and most reliable way to roll out Acoustiblok. Unroll the first few feet of the roll [Fig 4] and square the end of the material with a framing square and cut off the excess with a razor knife. [Fig 5] Use the square when cutting Acoustiblok to length for installation runs. [Fig 6] This gives you an even starting point for the next run, and allows for tighter joints and a more level installation. Roll back the cut piece in the opposite way it came off the roll to minimize curling of the material as you install it. [fig 7]

 

 

 

 

Fig 6                                                         Fig 7

Acoustiblok Installation Overview

Before you begin, carefully note any electrical services, plumbing fixtures, or etc. that will be covered by the Acoustiblok. If possible, mark their locations on the floor in chalk so that none will be missed, and cut out openings (or mark them accurately on the Acoustiblok) immediately after each section of Acoustiblok is secured in place.

An Acoustiblok barrier should be an airtight assembly; if air can pass through so can sound, so sealing is a critical step for a proper installation. Using Acoustigrip™ tape and Acoustiblok Acoustical Sound Sealant™, seal all perimeter edges, joints, cut out boxes, access points and the exposed edges at window and door openings. Use Acoustiputty™ pads to seal the backs of any boxes and any thru wall penetrations.

Fig 8                                           Fig 9                                                  Fig 10

Always install the Acoustiblok Sound Isolation Material with the logo and U.L. printing visible. This allows for quick inspection and sign off from building inspectors and assurance to your clients that they have received an actual Acoustiblok sound reduction treatment, not an inferior non U.L. rated and acoustically untested product substitution.

When possible, Acoustiblok Sound Isolation Material should be installed on the noise side of the assembly. This will decrease the amount of acoustical energy that may be converted into mechanical noise.

Acoustiblok is a unique material and very few adhesives or tapes will stay bonded to it: AC foil tape, duct tape, most silicon and other adhesives tend to lose their bond to Acoustiblok material in 4 to 10 days, unfortunately sometimes after the drywall is up jeopardizing the results of your installation. The Acoustiblok Acoustical Sound Sealant, Acoustigrip tape, and Acoustiputty sealant pads that have been formulated and tested to work fully with Acoustiblok. Our independent acoustical test results have been performed using Acoustiblok sealant products -use of other products may affect the sound reduction properties of your Acoustiblok treatment. Please refer to individual product & assembly installation sheets for detailed instructions.

Do one final inspection of the entire job and verify that each stage of the installation is complete, including cut-out and sealing of all electrical boxes, HVAC vents, etc. Your installation is now ready for drywall. To prevent dimples in the drywall, keep material and fasteners as flush as possible and use 5/8" or thicker drywall, and avoid using fasteners at locations where the Acoustiblok layers overlap.