Acoustic Ceilings

Floating Ceiling U rails (Upto 16db)

Where height constraints are an issue, the U rail solution is possibly the best coarse of action. Being the least obtrusive of all the floating ceiling solutions it can offer damping of upto 16db, by separating the new ceiling from the joist. Although the least obtrusive, it can be the most messy, requiring the old ceiling to be removed.

For extra damping, a layer of acoustic mineral wool is filled into the cavity between the joist to further improve on the damping of the new ceiling.

U rails can be fitted at intervals to the joists, providing a way to fix the new ceiling to the joists, while allowing a springy action to be retained by the U rails. A double acoustic plasterboard layer can then be attached and skimmed, Sealing any edges with acoustic mastic to keep the new ceiling separated from the walls.

Floating Ceiling Hangers (Upto 20db)

Whilst being slightly more intrusive than the U rails, hangers can offer a more improved damping affect do to the hangers being completely separated, hanger in a special bracket. Using hangers can mean less mess, but in return offers a more complex build, increasing the labour intensity, by adding an additional framework to be built.

Leaving the old ceiling in place, hanger brackets are placed at intervals. A new framework is then built and hung from the brackets using the acoustic hangers. Onto this framework, a new double layer of acoustic plasterboard is fitted and skimmed. Finally to keep the new floating ceiling separated from the building walls, acoustic mastic is used to seal the ceiling to the walls.

Additional Floating Ceiling (25db and up)

For maximum damping, the ultimate solution is to have a second ceiling, dropped suitably from the original and offering a second barrier to stop acoustic noise. A new framework of joists is installed typically around 10 inches lower than the original ceiling, making this the most extreme solution you can find. One major drawback however, can be the reduction in ceiling height, making this solution unachievable in some circumstances.

Once the new framework has been built, the joist cavity is filled with acoustic mineral wool, offering the good level of damping. U rails are then used on the new joist framework, hanger a double layer of acoustic plasterboard skimmed and sealed at the edges with acoustic mastic.