Guide to Fitting Noisestop 2 panels

Guide to fitting Noisestop 2 panels, how to install soundproof panels to walls and ceilings.

• Tools required: Tape measure, straight edge, Stanley knife, hand saw
• Fixings: If you are fixing on to stud or ceiling joists, you will need drywall or universal screws
• Plasterboard adhesive to bond the panels directly onto walls
• AC50 acoustic sealant for the edges of the boards.

Before you begin fitting Noisestop 2 panels

Always check the surface of the wall to ensure no holes, cracks or blown plaster. Carry out remedial work to the wall before you begin.

You should remove all decorative features and electrical points before the installation.

Installing the panels with plasterboard adhesive

When you fit these panels with plasterboard adhesive, ensure the surface you are bonding them to be in good condition. Repair any faults or defects in the surface good before you start fitting the panels.

Full instructions on how to mix the plasterboard adhesive are on the bags of adhesive. We recommend using one bag of plasterboard adhesive for every five boards.

Bond the panels to the wall using the dot and dab method. Apply fist-sized amounts of adhesive to the wall and then push the Noisestop 2 Panel onto the adhesive. You should apply approximately 9-12 dots per board. Use a level to ensure the panels are straight.

You should only use this method on surfaces that are flat and in good condition. You can not apply these panels to ceilings using adhesives.

 Installing the panels with screws

The Noisestop 2 Panels can be fitted directly onto brick walls using screws and plugs. Use nine Hammer fixings in total.

Fitting panels onto a stud frame, ceiling joist or soundbreaker bars – Use drywall screws or universal screws to fix the boards, use a minimum of nine per board

There is no need to pre-drill the panels with this type of fitting method. You should screw straight through the board into the framework behind the board. If you are fixing into soundbreaker bars, the panels are fixed into the wide corrugated section of the bar.

When you screw the panels into the stud frame or bar, try not to over tighten them. The head of the screw should be flush with the surface of the plasterboard face. This will reduce the chance of the fixings ‘popping’ if the screw goes too deep and does not hold the panel properly, causing movement along the edge of the panels.

Cutting Noisestop 2 panels

You will need to cut the boards to fit the shape of your room. You can use a Stanley knife, hand saw, jigsaw, or circular saw when you cut the boards.

Measure the size of the cut and then mark the board; you should only have to cut the panels that adjoin a return wall or the ceiling. If you leave a small gap, approximately 2-3mm, around the perimeter, you should use acoustic sealant to fill around the perimeter and between each panel.

Use acoustic sealant along the edges of the boards

As you fit the panels, you should butt them together as close as you can. Leave a small 2-3mm gap around the perimeter of the wall.

As you fit the panels, you should run a bead of sealant along the edge of the first panel. Push the next board up to the first and then repeat the process, applying a small bead of acoustic sealant between each panel as you install them.

Always wipe away excess sealant from the panels once it’s been applied.

Reinstating electrical points

Reinstate electrical outlets such as sockets can once the wall has been completed.

The electrical cable might have to be extended, depending on the depth of soundproofing you are fitting.

Cabling can be passed through the panels, cut or drill a small hole to allow the cable topass through the board. If you fit plug outlets, you should consider surface mounting the back boxes. For recessed back boxes, use the acoustic putty pads to ensure the integrity of the soundproofing is not lost.

Finishing off

Once you have installed all the panels, you can now finish the installation. All soundproof boards in the Noisestop range have an acoustic plasterboard face with a tapered edge allowing you to complete the installation in several ways.

The two main finishing methods are to either plaster the panels or tape and fill the tapered edge. From an acoustic point of view, you can use either way; it will not make a difference to the level of soundproofing.

Replace skirting and coving if required and decorate.

For assistance with any of the products or how to install them properly, please give us a call, 01423 339163