Insulation for a better tomorrow
Acoustic Insulation (floors and walls)

Acoustic Insulation (floors and walls)

Internal walls and floors

URSA ACOUSTIC ROLL is suitable as an acoustic absorbing material in separating and partition walls and floors (ceilings).

URSA ACOUSTIC ROLL - thermal conductivity 0.035 W/mK.
Density 22 kg/m³.

Design

URSA ACOUSTIC ROLL is suitable for use in timber framed partition and separating walls and floors. 

Sound insulation is required to prevent noise (unwanted sound) being transmitted from room to room within a building or from external sources. The transmission of noise within a building is by two main routes; airborne and impact. This may be further complicated by 'flanking' transmission, an indirect route through adjacent walls, floors and ceilings.

The four governing factors of acoustic insulation are;

  • Mass of the element.
  • Structural isolation.
  • Air tightness.
  • Sound absorption characteristics of the materials in the construction. 

The acoustic performance of any element depends to a large extent on detailing and workmanship. The following points must always be considered;

  • Ensure insulation quilt covers the whole area fitting tightly between the studs without sagging or creating gaps.
  • Do not over compress the insulation quilt.
  • Ensure cavity closers are flexible and fixed to one frame only.
  • Stagger all joints in linings to avoid direct air paths.
  • Seal all joints with flexible sealant to avoid air paths.
  • Ensure that there are no connections between the two leaves in party walls – if required for structural reasons keep the number to a minimum.
  • Avoid electrical sockets and switches on separating walls. If they cannot be avoided stagger their position and use special detailing to maintain acoustic integrity (See Robust Details Part E).
  • Fix two or more layers of plasterboard independently.
  • When installing two or more layers of plasterboard ensure that they are different thicknesses, generally 12.5mm and 19mm, for optimum acoustic performance.

The sound absorption coefficient, αs, of 100mm URSA ACOUSTIC ROLL measured in accordance with BS EN ISO 354 is as follows:

Sound absorption coefficient 

Frequency (Hz) 125 250 500 1000 2000 4000
Sound absorption coefficient (αs) 0.76 1.06 1.08 1.05 1.08 1.09

Installation

Timber/Metal Stud Partitions

URSA ACOUSTIC ROLL is designed to fit between the studs against the plasterboard lining. The usual procedure for construction is;

  1. Fit the timber or steel studs in the normal manner and in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions. Seal the studwork system including sole plates and head plates against the surrounding structure with a flexible sealant.
  2. Fit 12.5mm plasterboard, either nail or screw fixed, to one side of the partition. The plasterboard must give a minimum mass per unit area of 10 kg/m².
  3. Install 25mm (minimum) URSA ACOUSTIC ROLL between the studs against the first layer of plasterboard ensuring the entire area is covered. The insulation may be secured to the head plate using a screw fixed timber batten.
  4. There is no need for any additional support if the URSA ACOUSTIC ROLL fully fills the stud void as the insulation is self-supporting in this instance.
  5. The other layer of 12.5mm plasterboard (minimum 10 kg/m²) is then fixed.
  6. Ensure that all joints around the partition and around service penetrations are sealed using a flexible sealant.

Internal Timber Floors

URSA ACOUSTIC ROLL is designed to fit between the floor joists above the plasterboard ceiling. The usual procedure for construction is;

  1. Fit the floor joists in the normal manner and in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions.
  2. Fit 12.5mm plasterboard, either nail or screw fixed, to underside of the joists. The plasterboard must give a minimum mass per unit area of 10 kg/m².
  3. Install 100mm (minimum) URSA ACOUSTIC ROLL between the joists on the plasterboard ensuring the entire area is covered.
  4. Install the floor deck (chipboard, timber boarding etc) in the normal manner.
  5. Ensure that all joints around the floor perimeter and around any service penetrations are sealed using a flexible sealant.

Timber Frame Party/Separating Walls

URSA FRAMETEC/FRAMETEC SLAB is installed in both leaves of the separating stud wall and URSA ACOUSTIC ROLL is used in the cavity between the two leavesThe usual procedure for construction is;

  1. Fit the timber frame walls in the normal manner and in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions ensuring a minimum of 240mm between the inner faces of the wall linings and 50mm separation between the studs of each leaf. If plywood sheathing is used ensure a 50mm (minimum) gap is still maintained.
  2. Install URSA ACOUSTIC ROLL between the frames. High tack spray adhesive may be used to secure the Acoustic Roll to one of the leaves when using plywood sheathing. Ensure the insulation thickness fully fills the cavity with allowance made for on-site tolerances.
  3. Install URSA FRAMETEC/FRAMETEC SLAB between both frames fully filling the depth of the studs.
  4. Install vertical cavity barriers (for acoustic, thermal and fire performance) ensuring that they are contiguous with the party wall insulation.
  5. Ensure that partially completed walls are protected from inclement weather and at the end of the day's work.
  6. The plasterboard is installed on both faces of the party wall in the normal manner.

For further information see our technical brochure in the Documents section. Alternatively please contact URSA Technical Department.