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DIY Tips

The cost effectiveness of the E-Cousti range can be further enhanced by laminating on site.

All the component parts can be purchased from the same source. For example purchase 20+ kg/m2 mineral wool and E-Cousti membrane. Offer each component into the build, securing them at the top with a wood batten and leave each respective component to hang so forming a three layer curtain within the cavity.

E-Coustiboard can easily be assembled on site by dry lining the stud first then by just gluing at the top, cover the wall width with the E-Cousti membrane. It can be left hanging from the top glued area (about 300mm across the width.) Next secure a second layer of dry lining taking care to stagger the joints and screw through the membrane and the first layer of the board.

The same techniques can be used for all the other products so saving on material and laminating costs.

Go to: Floor, Ceiling or Wall

Acoustic DIY - Number 1 : The Floor

Introduction

If you experience noise neighbour syndrome from your neighbour below or you want to tackle the noise transmitted from upstairs by the kids, you can reduce the problem by fitting a floating floor. A floating floor isolates the floor surface from the floor structure and the surrounding (flanking) walls. This reduces the transmission of unwanted noise from one room space to the next. There are a number of different ways this can be achieved, but the basic principle of isolation remains the same. Attention to detail and quality of workmanship are key to creating a good result.

Tools you need: Saw, sharp knife, mastic gun, screw driver.

Materials you need: E-Coustifloor sound reduction material (rolls 7.5m long by 1.5m wide by 6mm thick), P5 tongue and grooved chipboard, E-Cousti FixandSeal acoustic and intumescent sealer, wood glue.

1. Remove carpet or other floor covering to expose existing floor and repair any loose or damaged areas. Be sure to fill in any cracks or gaps in the surface or around service penetrations with E-Cousti FixandSeal.
   
   



2. Remove any doors opening into the room to be treated. Carefully remove the skirting for re-use. Doors may have to be cut down to compensate for the new floor height.
   
   



3. Roll out the E-Coustifloor ensuring that the black membrane is face down. Where it butts a wall allow a 75mm lap up the wall at each edge. Cut to size using a sharp knife or scissors. Lay along the room dimension which causes least waste.
   
   



4. At the room corners cut out a 75mm square notch to give a snug fit in the corner.
   
   



5. Joints should be butted up tightly and taped, using a good quality carpet tape. Any gaps will “leak” sound. Any unavoidable small gaps should be filled with E-Cousti FixandSeal.
   
   



6. Lay T&G chipboards counter to the joints in the E-Coustifloor, pushing boards tightly in against the E-Coustifloor lapped up the wall. At the perimeter trim the tongues from the boards. Glue tongue and grooves using a good quality wood glue. Do not in any circumstances nail or screw through the boards and the E-Coustifloor to the sub deck below. This will ruin the floating floor and nullify the acoustic effect.
   
   



7. Refit the skirting boards, making sure the E-Coustifloor is turned over onto the floor surface, and trapped under the skirting board to isolate the floor from the walls. Neatly trim off the excess E_Coustifloor using a sharp knife using the line of the skirting board as a guide.
   
   



8. Finish with a bead of E-Cousti FixandSeal. You have now built a floating floor to isolate the surface from the structure of the floor and walls to reduce the transmission of unwanted noise from the room above to the room below.

Acoustic DIY - Number 2: The Ceiling

Introduction

In the previous section we showed you how to reduce noise from floor to floor by installing an acoustic floor treatment. If you have a noisy neighbour above you and cannot gain access to work from above here are two ceiling  treatments that you can instal without creating any mess or disruption. The first treatment for rooms with plenty of height such as those built in Victorian and Edwardian times. The second treatment is for those rooms with restricted height. This is often the case in council built properties from the post 2nd world war era where there was very little concern about acoustics and the noise problem is acute. E-Cousti materials are available exclusively from your local Sheffield Insulations or Kitsons Thermal Insulation branch.

Tools you will need: saw, sharp knife, drill with wood and masonry bits, screwdriver, hammer

Materials you will need:

Treatment 1: metal joist hangers, timber for joists, (or components for metal frame ceiling) E-Coustiquilt sound insulation, 15mm acoustic plasterboard, E-Cousti FixandSeal acoustic mastic, board tape, contact spray adhesive,fixings.

Treatment 2: E-Cousti wall and ceiling clips, E-Cousti ceiling clip rail, 25mm Rockwool acoustic partition slab, 15mm acoustic plasterboard, E-Cousti FixandSeal acoustic mastic, board tape, fixings.

Treatment 1

1. Installing secondary joists
   Install secondary joists hung off joist hangers (or metal frame work for ceiling). The joists should be sized to suit the span of the room and weight of 2 layers of acoustic plasterboard ( allow 30 kg/m2). The secondary joists will give a slightly better result than the metal frame ceiling. Drop the ceiling as much as possible to increase the acoustic decoupling. Reducing the height will also reduce heating costs.



2. Installing E-Coustiquilt
   Install the E-Coustiquilt over the secondary joists, ensuring that adjacent rolls are tightlt butted or overlapped to prevent sound leaking through. It will help to tack glue the E-Coustiquilt in position using a standard spray contact adhesive.



3. Screwing up plasterboards
   Install the first layer of 15mm acoustic plaster boards ensuring that any gaps or cracks are filled with E-Cousti FixandSeal. Start in one corner and work outwards. The second layer of plasterboard should be installed in broken pattern so that there are no continuous joints through the ceiling.



4. Sealing Joints
   Fill all joints and cracks with E-Cousti FixandSeal and apply your finish of choice (eg 3mm gypsum plaster or tape and paint)

 

Treatment 2.

1. Marking line of joists
   Where there is an existing ceiling locate the line of the joists above the ceiling and mark out on the adjacent walls.
   
   



2. Fixing A-Cousti ceiling clips and rail
   Slide required number of clips (ie a clip for every other joist. Screw the E-Cousti ceiling clips to every other joist so the the rail runs perpendicular to the joists Where there are an  even number of joists the Clips should be fixed to the perimeter joists on each side of the room and then to every other joist. The rails should be spaced at maximum 600mm centres.
   
   



3. Installing Rockwool
   The Rockwool should be fed over the rails and under the existing ceiling and carefully butted so as to leave no gaps for the sound to leak through. Always wear a dust mask and follow manufacturers’ safety instructions.
   
   



4. Screw up plaster boards
   Fit acoustic plaster boards and finish as per step 3 and 4 above

Acoustic DIY - Number 3: The Wall Solution

Introduction

In the previous 2 sections we have treated a floor and a ceiling to reduce the noise transferred from rooms separated by a floor and ceiling. Whilst treating the floor and/or ceiling alone will reduce the transfer of sound, it may well find a flanking path around the floor/ceiling and travel down the wall. This week we will show you how to treat a wall separating adjacent rooms to reduce the noise transmitted between them and up and down to the adjacent rooms above and below. This treatment takes up approx 85mm of floor space. E-Cousti materials are available exclusively from your local Sheffield Insulation or Kitsons Thermal Insulation  Branch

Tools required: Drill, sharp knife, saw, hammer, screwdriver, tape measure

Materials required:  50mm X 50mm Timber or 48mm metal I-stud frame, E-Coustiquilt, resilient bar (optional), 15mm acoustic plaster board, E-Cousti FixandSeal, tape, finishing materials.

1. Repair and seal existing wall
   Where exposed repair damaged masonry and joints using a sand and cement mix or proprietory product. Seal any gaps at the head and foot of the wall using E-Cousti FixandSeal. If brick or blockwork is porous seal with a coat of render or a good quality masonry paint. Pay particular attention around wall junctions and electrical switches.
   
   



2. Fix metal stud work
   Metal I-stud framing or timber can be used. Fix head and sole plates to the ceiling above and the floor below. Do not fix to the existing wall as this will create acoustic couplings and reduce the performance of the treatment.. Fit the uprights at 600mm centres secured only to the head and sole plates.
   
   



3. Install A-Coustiquilt
   The 600mm E-Coustiquilt will friction fit between the 600mm centres of the stud work.
   
   



4. Fixing A-Coustiquilt
   To ensure it will not “slump” at a later date it is wise to secure the top of the E-Coustiquilt to the head as shown. Ensure that the quilt extends right to the sole plate with no gaps for the sound to leak through.
   
   



5. Fit resilient bars (optional)
   Resilient bars will improve the performance of the treatment. They act like a compiled spring to disaccommodate the plaster board from thre stud. Installing resilient bars adds 15mm to the width of the structure. The bars are fittef across the stud horizontally perpendicular to the uprights.
   
   



6. Fit plasterboards
   Fit one or two layers of 15mm acoustic plaster board. A second layer of board reduces the sound transmitted by a further 3-4 decibels, which is quite significant. Ensure that the second layer is staggered so the joints do not go through. Fill all the cracks and gaps with E=Cousti FixandSeal.
   
   



7. Finishing
   Tape and seal all joints and finish with your choice of coating.