Resilient Bars

A vibration absorbing resilient corrugated steel bar used on timber studs and joists, for soundproofing walls and ceilings.

The most common application for resilient bars is for use in soundproofing a ceiling or a wall. One of the most important things to remember is that to ensure maximum sound insulation performance, screws fixing the plasterboard must not be in contact with the joists. When installing a dual layer of boards, all joints in the second layer must be staggered in relation to those of the first layer.

Why the Resilient Bar?

Where you are constrained by space issues the choice of a resilient bar may be your only practical choice when soundproofing a ceiling or wall. With this solution you will lose just over an inch (35mm) from your original wall or ceiling. The resilient bar, or sound breaker bar works by decoupling the new suspended stud wall or ceiling from the joists. The new wall or ceiling is in effect floating off the stud or joists via lightweight corrugated steel bars. The sound is absorbed as it travels through the corrugated flange of the resilient bar.

How they work

Resilient bars, as the name suggest act as the resilient layer that separates the mass of plasterboards from the rest of the surface that you are soundproofing. What is key to the success of any soundproofing work is that the weight you add should, where possible, be separated from the surface to be soundproofed by a resilient or springy layer.

In this case the light weight corrugated steel bars act as "springs" that allow the vibration and sound to be dissipated in a tiny movement. Resilient bars not only improve the impact characteristics but also the airborne characteristics of the surface you are soundproofing.

A rule of thumb would suggest that in a normal system where you are employing acoustic mineral wool, resilient bars and acoustic plasterboard, that the resilient bars will be doing about a third of the work from the airborne perspective and almost all the work form an impact perspective.

Installation overview

The removal of the original wall or ceiling sounds a little daunting but is in effect very easy to do. The only drawback is that it is a messy job. Resilience bars are attached to the stud or joists perpendicular to the run of the joists at 400mm centres. Acoustic mineral wool is then placed up in between the stud or joists. Finally a double layer of acoustic plasterboard is attached to the ceiling, the perimeter being sealed with acoustic mastic.

Here are the main details for this product:

Dimensions: 45mm x 16mm x 3m

Thickness:

Pack Size: 1 Bar

Weight: TBC

Density: NA

Coverage: sqm

Fire rating: NA

Thermal Conductivity:

View Product Information Guide

Visit our Fitting Instructions section for more detailed instructions relating to your specific application.

Please contact our team if you have any questions on this product.

Looking for a complete resilient bar solution?

Wether your soundproofing a wall or ceiling, you will need plasterboards, wool insulation, screws, and other components to set up your resilient bars. Our handy solution calculators can work exactly number of each component you need to soundproof your wall or ceiling.

Wall Solutions:

Independent Stud Wall

Upgrading a Stud Wall

Ceiling Solutions:

Resilient Bar Ceiling

Independent Ceiling

Installation Instructions

Where the resilient bar is to be fixed to metal studs, fix bar at 600mm vertical centres.  Fix the initial resilient bar 50mm down from the head of partition and the last bar 50mm from the floor.  Screw the resilient bars to the studs using 13mm wafer-head screws. Screw the plasterboard to the resilient bar only, ensuring the screw does not touch the metal substrate. Bars are joined by butting together on the stud.

Instructions on fitting suspended resilient bar ceiling

1. Remove existing plasterboard ceiling. Sealing all door and windows to prevent dust escaping into the rest of the property.

2. Acoustic Mineral wool should be cut to size and friction fitted into the void between the joists neatly so that no gaps are left.

3. Perpendicular to the run of the joists fit resilient bars at 400mm centres. The resilient bars should be fitted with the 32mm dry wall screws provided. Resilient bars should end close to walls. At the ends of the room resilient bar noggins need to be cut and fitted in the line of the joist where the joist runs near the wall. Where resilient bars need to be joined overlap them by 60mm.

4. 19mm Planc boards are then screwed to the resilient bar flange with 32mm screws at 230mm centres. It is important to screw into the hanging flange of the resilient bar and NOT the joist. (This is critical to reduce impact sound from above) These should be fitted again leaving a small gap between them and the wall this can be filled with the sealant. Any gaps to be sealed with acoustic mastic provided.

5. If impact sound is a particular problem several wood noggins should be placed between the joists to firm up the flex in the floor 6- 8 should be sufficient. These ideally should be placed nearer the centre of the ceiling where flex is at its maximum.

6. 12.5mm soundbloc plasterboard is affixed next with 42mm screws screwing into the flange (mark line of resilient bar flange with chalk line or laser level, or pencil).

The joints of the soundbloc board should be staggered so that joints don’t coincide with 19mm planc boards.

7. The perimeter of the ceiling should sealed with the sealant provided. It is better to leave a small gap that can be sealed rather than butting the boards tight up against the walls. The sealant should applied at both levels of plasterboard.

8.Ceiling can be finished by taping and finishing with Easifil compound ( tape run along tapered join and Easifil applied to tapered depression and smoothed) or by plastering.

Visit our Fitting Instructions section for more detailed instructions relating to your specific application.

Check out our Soundproofing Guides for more information, advice and tips on all aspects of soundproofing.