Installation Suggestions for
Acoustiblok on Metal Stud Walls.

Material checklist:

RD350 Acoustiblok roll dispenser (ball bearing rollers allow for easy roll out and height adjustment of up to 2000 lb rolls). Recommended for use with Acoustiblok 60' and 350’ Master size rolls.

Screw gun w/magnetic tip

Yellow Grease Pencil

Box knives & Straight Edge

* Acoustigrip™ tape # AGT60 (180'/roll) and dispenser. Requires approximately 1 roll per 60 linear feet of Acoustiblok.

* Acoustiblok Acoustical Sound Sealant # AC10 (10oz tube). Installation requires approximately 2 tubes per 60 linear feet of Acoustiblok. Also available in 29oz tube and 20oz sausage tube sizes.

* Acoustiputty™ acoustical sealant pads. Use 1 pad to seal the back of each electrical box or other wall penetrations.

Self-tapping wafer head screws # WHS (1000/box). Approximately 1 box per 150 linear feet of Acoustiblok

Installation Method Suggestions:

If only one layer of Acoustiblok is used, install it on the side where the sound originates.

Use a minimum of 12.5mm or 15mm thick drywall.

Space all power outlets so that they are not back to back (should be in different stud cavity to help isolate sound). Attach Acoustiputty pads to the back of the electrical boxes or other voids for a tight seal to further insulate the noise.

If in-wall speakers are used you must leave Acoustiblok loose enough in the wall cavity to provide enough clearance for the speaker back. The goal is to achieve an "airtight seal" over the structure.

Install Acoustiblok running horizontal, not vertical if possible. This will minimize the number of seams requiring sealing. If using vertical drops of material ensure overlaps are made over cavities to eliminate bulging over studs and bowing in the drywall finish.

Precut Acoustiblok. Measure total length (per wall) and identify section location. Cut full lengths when possible to minimize vertical seams. Any vertical seams must be centered on a stud. Always add 6" to 12" to length to insure full length coverage.

Install bottom run first, and then work up. Overlapping the seams is easiest; however, this may cause a slight bow in the drywall. This however can be greatly reduced by using resilient channels (horizontal bars) before applying a drywall. If you overlap the seams, overlap by a minimum of 25mm, and apply Acoustiblok Acoustical Sound Sealant in the overlap area.  Do not put any fasteners into the overlap area. Butting the seams is the recommended method; however, this method requires a patient and detailed installation. The 32oz Acoustiblok can not be overlapped due to its thickness.

Insure joints are clean and dry (use denatured alcohol if needed) before applying Acoustigrip or Acoustiblok Acoustical Sound Sealant.

Acoustigrip tape and Acoustiblok Acoustical Sound Sealant must be used to properly seal all seams regardless of installation method.

Use self-tapping wafer head screws # WHS (4-5 screws per stud).

Cut around all receptacles and other wall penetrations.

Caulk all possible air gaps (especially floor and ceiling joints) with Acoustiblok Acoustical Sound Sealant.

Tape all joints & edges with Acoustigrip tape.

An airtight assembly is the goal.

Insure proper fiberglass insulation is put in wall 3½” to 4” of loose fiberglass should be used in stud cavities. Paper side away from Acoustiblok.

For further advice please call our technical team at Acoustiblok UK on 01622 840289

Notes:

Acoustiblok is a very unique material. Duct tape, aluminum tape, regular silicone & most caulks will adhere initially, but may lose the bond in a few days, jeopardizing the performance of your installation. Use Acoustiblok’s installation products to insure an airtight, long lasting, professional sound reduction installation.

Installing Acoustiblok on the interior side of an exterior wall requires attention to the vapor flow performance of the wall assembly. To provide adequate vapor flow the material seams should be overlapped. Use the Acoustiblok Acoustical Sound Sealant and spot apply it to the center of each wall cavity. Do not tape the seam or apply acoustical sealant along the bottom of the assembly. Do not put any fasteners within the overlapped area.

Install the channel 24"o.c. perpendicular to the studs over the Acoustiblok material and then screw the drywall to the channel. Do not penetrate the Acoustiblok material with the drywall screws. Use screws that are long enough to penetrate the drywall and channel only. Install the drywall so that it does not touch the floor, ceiling, or adjoining walls providing mechanical decoupling (1/8"-3/8” gap) of the wall.

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.

Please note: These are suggestions only, derived from years of past usage and test results. They are not warranted or guaranteed in any way, neither written nor verbally.