Hush: Why does an acoustic wall need isolation tape?

The key to creating an acoustic wall or floor that delivers on its promise is to ensure all areas of the construction are treated in the most effective ways to minimise the potential for sound paths. Hush Acoustics has more…

The devil is in the detail when it comes to successful building soundproofing, so it is important not to overlook the role that ancillary acoustic products play in maximising acoustic performance, particularly isolation tape.

Isolation tape is used to reduce sound transmission in timber joisted floors and timber or metal stud walls. As sound is a vibration, it travels easily through solid materials that are in contact. One way to reduce the transmission of sound is, therefore, to isolate the elements which could pose a problem.

Isolation tape in itself will not provide a significant acoustic upgrade to a wall or floor project. However, it will help to ensure that the acoustic improvements offered by the other elements, including acoustic insulation slabs, acoustic plasterboard, resilient bars and acoustic floor panels, are not undermined through structural contact.

What is isolation tape?

Isolation tape designed for use in building acoustic projects is sold in rolls and available in different widths. Its composition must be effective at reducing vibration, which is why it is manufactured using a combination of rubber and foam.

The rubber/foam material has a self-adhesive strip applied to it in the factory so it can be easily rolled out, cut to the desired length and placed into position on timber joists or studs. 

In the case of Hush Heavy Duty Isolation Tape, which is available in 50mm and 100mm widths and has a nominal thickness of 8mm, the rubber and foam composition is designed to be load bearing. This means it will maintain its effectiveness at reducing vibration once in-situ because it is resistant to compression.

Enhancing timber stud partitions

One of the most common uses for isolation tape is when creating an acoustic wall using timber or metal studs. Whilst these are usually built in a way that ensures there is clear separation from an existing structural wall to break sound transmission paths, the timber elements that form the frame – i.e. the sole plate, header plate and ends or sides – will still have to be mechanically jointed to the ceiling, floor and walls at either side.

Applying Hush Heavy Duty Isolation Tape to the top, bottom and side elements of the stud wall reduces the potential for sound transmission between the building structure and the partition. This is why it is a key part of several of the fully tested acoustic wall systems available from Hush Acoustics, including the HD1052 Twin Metal Stud Wall and HD1054 Double Timber Stud Wall.

Isolation tape is also useful in acoustic wall linings which use resilient bars attached to a structural wall. For example, in the HD1057 Masonry Acoustic System, Hush Heavy Duty Isolation Tape is used to isolate the acoustic wall boards that are so important to its acoustic performance at the floor, ceiling and side walls.

Isolating timber floors

Another popular application for isolation tape is in timber floor constructions. Applying Hush Heavy Duty Isolation Tape to the top of joists before the installation of a floating floor helps to prevent sound bridging and it could improve the acoustic performance of the floor overall.

However, as there are a number of other materials available from Hush Acoustics which may be more effective at performing this role in acoustic floor designs, it is worth consulting with the Hush technical team before embarking on acoustic floor design. For example, Hush also offers several types of joist strips and various sound mats to apply over the structural floor that also reduce vibration potential.

Find out more about Hush Heavy Duty Isolation Tape and the complete range of acoustic products and systems at www.hushacoustics.co.uk.

Hush Acoustics Ltd
Unit 2, Tinsley Industrial Estate
Shepcote Way
Sheffield
South Yorkshire
S9 1TH

Tel: 0114 551 8685
Fax: 0151 944 1146

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