"plasterboard"

This project involved providing a soundproofing solution for a Grade ll listed period building located in the south west of Sheffield, close to the botanical gardens, where the former NHS building was undergoing conversion into residential wellings.Hush were involved in the very early design stages of this conversion/new build project and under direction of our client Jonathan Frith of Bamford Homes. We also worked alongside acoustic consultants HRS Services Ltd (now Stroma Specialist Access) and architect Richard Keighley from DKMY Architects.A variety of Hush Systems were specified to deliver excellent acoustic performance.HD1030: Hush System LP was applied to the ground and first floors. This is a floating floor system, compliant with Building Regulations Approved Document E, used in refurbishment of timber floors. It also holds 1-hour fire resistance at ceiling level.HD1032: Hush System LP/MF was used from the second to first floor and from the third to second floor. This economical sound insulation system for use between separating floors is made up of Hush Panel 28, Hush Seal 20 and Hush absorber slabs. It is used within refurbishment projects using timber joists and also provides 1-hour fire resistance at ceiling level.Along with using these systems, we also upgraded the existing walls using our HD1040: Wall System which provides high standards of airborne sound reduction and can be used to reduce both flanking and direct sound transmission. It again is compliant with UK Building Regulations and provides a minimum loss of space within rooms.Within the new build residential space, we recommended our HD1054: Double Timber Stud Wall System which is our extremely effective system comprising of Hush Slab absorber slabs and Acoustic Plasterboard.Although design stages through to completion of this project were around 3 years, the conversion and new build project itself, once begun took around 18 months. All acoustic testing carried out on site was passed.The flats are in a sought-after area, close to the University of Sheffield and Hallamshire Hospital, within easy access to facilities in Broomshill and Eccleshall road and have been finished to a high acoustic standard.

DYNAMIK’s acoustic wall panels are specially designed to absorb sound waves, reducing reverberations and minimising echo. Acoustic panels dramatically improve the auditory environment within a sports hall, enhancing the ability for players and staff to communicate more clearly, thus improving concentration, and the overall enjoyment for everyone involved. DYNAMIK’S sports wall panels are manufactured within the UK, creating benefits in production times, delivery times and in-house installation costs through our in-house DYNAMIK joinery teams, creating a one-stop-shop sports flooring and walling solution. DYNAMIK’s latest dual project was Cothill House which is globally recognised as one of the UK’s leading prep schools. They recently constructed a brand-new sports centre and chose DYNAMIK for both their sports flooring and walling requirements. Our acoustic panels contribute to a more comfortable atmosphere by diminishing harsh sound reflections. In a space where intense physical activity is common, such as a sports hall, excessive reverberations can create a distracting and fatiguing environment. By absorbing sound energy, these panels help create a more balanced and pleasant auditory experience, allowing athletes to focus on their performance without unnecessary distractions and help create a more noise-friendly space for others. DYNAMIK applies a human-centred design consideration when developing and installing systems In addition to the functional benefits, acoustic wall panels offer more aesthetic value and lower maintenance versus traditional painted blockwork or plasterboard, finishing the sports hall and making it a more welcoming space.  The panels are available in a variety of colours and wood effects with the option of a solid or perforated surface, depending on acoustic performance requirements. With their functional and aesthetic advantages, acoustic walling panels will prove to be a valuable investment for any sports facility aiming to elevate its performance and versatility with unlimited combinations to suit any budget and performance requirements. In conclusion, by combining DYNAMIK’s sports flooring and walling divisions plus now having a UK manufacturer provides savings in cost and time, therefore is seen as a successful one stop shop for sports and leisure facility refurbishments. The In-house Installation and Management team have already completed many successful projects, allowing DYNAMIK to not only be the Sports Flooring Specialist but the Acoustic Walling Specialists too. This allows us to provide a one-stop-shop when refurbishing or designing a new sports hall with a focus on system integration from project inception to completion.  

The refurbishment of the 160,000 square-foot John Lewis store in Edinburgh includes the installation of SMARTPLY PATTRESS PLUS – MEDITE SMARTPLY’s robust pattressing panel.Bradagh Interiors Ltd, which has been working intermittently on the refurbishment during the past five years, specified PATTRESS PLUS throughout levels one, two and three of the department store, after having successfully used it before.Kevin Gallagher, Director of Bradagh Interiors, explained: “There’s more than one reason why we chose PATTRESS PLUS. Firstly, I had issues in the past with using plywood on the face of studs because of the acoustics field. Plywood is made up of layers of veneer glued together and although it is a natural product, it’s not fully regimental and it was allowing sound to penetrate through the gap. By using PATTRESS PLUS I could screw everything directly into the studs and avoid this problem.“Furthermore, because plywood had previously been used on the face of the walls, they were going much higher than the ceiling in certain places. This is something else I wanted to avoid on this project.”SMARTPLY PATTRESS PLUS is an engineered OSB/3 panel incorporating a continuous recess, specially designed to accommodate ‘C’ shaped metal studs used in the construction of plasterboard partitions. This robust panel is tested to the relevant sections of BS5234 Part 2 demonstrating high pull-out strength, making it ideal for large commercial fit outs where wall installations and racking may have to bear heavy and changing loads.Pre-cut and pre-rebated for a speedier, safer and easier installation, PATTRESS PLUS comes in thicknesses of 15mm and 18mm, and in sizes ranging from 1250mm by 397mm to 2397mm by 597mm to suit a range of partition systems with 400mm and 600mm stud centres.Crucially, PATTRESS PLUS does not add to the thickness of the partition wall. It provides a robust partition structure suitable for use in public access areas including corridors and stairwells, which contributes to higher levels of impact resistance.The added benefit of PATTRESS PLUS is that it is manufactured with zero added formaldehyde, making it suitable for environmentally sensitive interior applications where there are likely to be high numbers of people such as hospitals, museums and department stores.“We have used it on multiple occasions before,” Kevin continued, “and have always been happy with the result, as have my clients, and this contract is no exception.”The refurbishment will see new features and services added to the John Lewis store, including a home design department, an optician, a beauty concierge and dedicated areas for famous brands.

When the owner of an office building on the Isle of Man took the decision to redevelop the property into four apartments, he partnered with chartered architect Andrew Bentley to arrive at a design. The building had previously been converted from a bar to offices in the 1990s, but the approach adopted to the soundproofing as part of this conversion project would need to be fully assessed and tested for compliance with today’s domestic dwelling standards. STEPPING UP TO HIGHER ACOUSTIC STANDARDSUnder the building regulations covering the Isle of Man, which are consistent with Approved Document E in England & Wales, the separating floors needed to achieve an airborne sound transmission level greater or equal to 43db and, for impact sound transmission, no higher than 64db. Following a comprehensive consultation period by Hush Acoustics soundproofing experts, it was apparent that the existing acoustic flooring design fitted during the original conversion was inadequate. This meant a complete redesign of the floors was required to bring them up to an acceptable residential standard.A SOLUTION THAT EXCEEDED EXPECTATIONS The solution came with the Hush MF Ceiling System. This creates a suspended ceiling, separated from the existing structure using the Hush Acoustic Hangers, allowing for Hush-Slab 100 sound absorber slabs to be fitted into the void created. Two layers of 15mm Soundbloc plasterboard were then installed onto the suspended ceiling’s metal frame.Key to the success of the new acoustic system was the quality of the installation, which the Hush Acoustics team – as with all projects – offered guidance on to the installation contractor. This was important from a fire safety perspective too, with a fire specialist also engaged to ensure all gaps, junction details and products were installed and sealed correctly. ‘BEST EVER’ ACOUSTIC RESULTS As a result of this new acoustic flooring, the flats benefit from soundproofing levels not normally seen in conversion projects of this kind. The airborne sound insulation levels for the floors tested in various rooms ranged from 50db to 67db (minimum level to pass test is 43db) and for impact sound it was between 38db and 50db (must be below 64db).Project architect Andrew Bentley commented:“The test results were so good that the acoustician who carried out the testing of the completed installation said it was the best results he had ever seen. In the lounge of one of the flats, there was virtually no background noise detected despite sound of 107db being generated in the lounge of the flat directly above – that’s a noise level almost as loud as you would experience at a rock concert.”

Traditional Heritage Timber Casement Windows - Enhancing the Charm of Maltsters Tap, ShropshireLocated in the idyllic village of Cardington, near Church Stretton in Shropshire, the Maltsters Tap is a Grade II listed former brewery that recently underwent a remarkable transformation with the installation of traditional flush casement windows. Gowercroft Joinery's expertise in crafting heritage windows proved instrumental in this project, which serves as a compelling case study for architects and specifiers seeking to preserve the timeless appeal of traditional architecture.The property's new owner, Brian Tripp, sought to renovate his acquired dwelling with windows that perfectly complemented the rustic elegance of the countryside aesthetic while providing modern-day performance. Brian first discovered Gowercroft Joinery at the renowned Grand Design Exhibition, where he downloaded their brochure and subsequently reached out to discuss his specific requirements.Traditional Heritage Casement WindowsThe Maltsters Tap resides in the heart of the village, with its focal point being the charming village church. Surrounded by postcard-perfect scenery, it became evident that the choice of windows had to harmonize seamlessly with the picturesque surroundings. As Brian explains, "When we saw the Gowercroft Heritage window at the 'Grand Designs' Exhibition, we knew straight away it was just right for our listed building renovation, both for us and for our local Conservation Officer."The renovation process involved merging the two converted dwellings into a single residence, followed by a comprehensive interior refurbishment. Comfort and traditional styling were paramount, and upgrading the windows played a pivotal role in achieving these goals. The original single-glazed windows were replaced with Gowercroft's Richmond Flush Casement Heritage Windows, meticulously selected to blend with the property's historical character while delivering exceptional thermal efficiency.To retain the traditional look, the windows feature astragals, horizontal bars that replicate the iconic Georgian window design. However, ensuring uniformity presented a unique challenge due to the varying heights of the windows. Gowercroft's skilled team meticulously calculated the glass sizes and determined the number of astragals required for each window, accounting for the non-uniform dimensions characteristic of older properties. Additionally, the double skin insulating plasterboard necessitated adjustments to the frame sections, maintaining consistent sightlines throughout the project.Heritage Casement Windows InstalledIn total, 26 of Gowercroft's Richmond Heritage casement windows were expertly installed, completely transforming the Maltsters Tap and fulfilling Brian's vision for his dream home. This successful collaboration between the homeowner, Gowercroft Joinery, and the local planning officer stands as a testament to the remarkable synergy between traditional aesthetics and contemporary performance.With Gowercroft Joinery's exceptional craftsmanship and commitment to preserving architectural heritage, architects and specifiers can confidently rely on their expertise to enhance the appeal and functionality of projects featuring traditional heritage timber casement windows.

Opened in 2009, Droylsden Academy in Manchester is a contemporary, open plan teaching environment. The state-of-the-art secondary school serves 1,400 pupils, however since opening it had become apparent that its design and layout had some challenges, in a large part due to the sound pollution associated with the open-plan layout. Contractors Buildmain were briefed to reconfigure a number of areas in order to minimise reverberation and improve the learning environment – and looked to CMS Danskin to identify an appropriate remedial acoustic solution.The ChallengeOne area of the school that needed particular attention was the music room, which was too large to be conducive to effective music practice. Contractors Buildmain were briefed to reconfigure the space into four separate rooms, to provide a soundproof environment for music recital and practice. The new practice rooms were to adjoin an existing classroom and the communal corridor, so controlling reverberation was an integral part of the scheme – the architects had specified the control of sound levels up to 68dB.The SolutionA complete overhaul of the existing music rooms was required – partition walls were removed and a new layout designed to incorporate the four separate practice rooms, an internal corridor and a store room. To achieve the dB rating of 68, Buildmain opted for a combination of acoustic solutions provided by CMS Danskin, including SuperPhon panels in all four rooms.In order to control reverberation in the area, Buildmain constructed the new rooms using a twin-wall method, using 15mm Soundbloc plasterboard with an acoustic matting sandwiched between the layers. The walls were then over-clad using IsoMax Acoustic Insulation Clips. A total of 20 panels were installed by direct fix to the walls of each of the four new music rooms. The 50mm thick panels were supplied in three sizes; 1200x600mm, 1000x500mm and 1000x750mm, and the colour was matched to the school’s existing interior scheme.To offer even higher levels of absorption, CMS Danskin recommended SuperPhon acoustic wall panels to reduce reverberation times and reflected sound. To assist with the correct specification, a CMS Danskin representative visited the site, at short notice, to assess the rooms and subsequently advised on the best options for the SuperPhon panels.The ResultCMS Danskin worked closely with contractors Buildmain in order to meet the very tight time frame of six weeks to install the Superphon wall panels – the project needed to be completed within the school summer holidays, so that the rooms were ready for pupils on their return to school in September 2016.Paul Bryan of Buildmain said: “We had to fit eight weeks’ work into the six-week summer holiday, and CMS Danskin impressed us with their ability to turn around the product so quickly. Not only were they able to deliver to meet our schedule, they were also able to send out an expert to advise on the best options to meet the specification, all within the timeframe.”

Early collaboration with Knauf enabled delivery architects TW-2 to achieve specification by integrating Knauf specialist drywall systems into the overall design of a prestigious residential and commercial development in London. Triptych Bankside in Southwark is a mixed-use development designed by London architects Squire & Partners. Three striking, sculptured buildings with undulating curves comprise two residential towers featuring 169 high-end, luxurious apartments with outdoor spaces and private amenities, an office building, and retail and cultural facilities. This was a complex project with multiple contractors, manufacturers and designers. For the interiors, proper integration for the wall systems and the overall design was critical. Through early engagement with Knauf, TW-2 was able to successfully create a specification which streamlined and simplified installation.The support from Knauf was invaluable as Vikki Knight, Architectural Designer at TW-2 explained: "After the initial wall specification with Knauf, the technical advisors and Project Design Manager, Stuart McNeil, remained on hand to answer my queries relating to changing design requirements and provide useful details and wall spec updates throughout the project." As a result, a combination of Knauf products has been installed in the residential towers by drylining and façade specialist Conneely Group. Knauf Soundshield Plus has been used on the ceilings to enhance acoustic performance and provide the necessary levels of fire resistance.  Richard Cockerton, Contracts Manager from Conneely Group agreed on the benefits the Knauf system brought to the build. “All the products worked seamlessly together, both in terms of specification and installation. It made meeting the strict building safety requirements easier. When it came to working on site, having the Knauf team available to answer questions on wall detailing or systems was really helpful.”The Knauf Isolator system divides the individual apartments and communal spaces. This twin stud system combines high performance plasterboards to ensure the maximum acoustic performance. The fully integrated Independent 'I' Stud wall lining system has been used in limited access areas for services and pipes, and to improve wall acoustic and thermal levels. Inside the apartments, Knauf Performer partition systems were specified between rooms with staggered partitions constructed between kitchens and bedrooms or where sound reduction was needed. Different board solutions, including AQUAPANEL® for wet rooms and areas with tiles and PIR laminates, complete the drywall systems and achieve enhanced levels of thermal insulation.Externally, the Knauf AQUAPANEL® Cement Board Outdoor was specified as the substrate for a render finish in some external areas, such as where service risers went through the rooftops or in separated plant areas. The product is unaffected by water and offers the levels of noise and fire protection required by high-density residential buildings such as Triptych. Vikki Knight concluded: "Knauf was integral in assisting us with ensuring high standards were met and Building Control requirements achieved through the correct allocation and technical detailing of their products." The development's name reflects its distinctive architecture with the three sculptured buildings. It is based on the meaning of Triptych - a set of three associated artistic, literary or musical works intended to be appreciated together. Photos: Triptych Bankside by JTRE London

Being in an overtly-loud space – whether it’s in a restaurant, an office, a gym or anywhere else – is really irritating, right? You’d be reluctant to go back or never return again. Maybe at home, the marble top counter in the kitchen wasn’t the best idea for open plan living, but you’re stuck with it. Or are you?  Rockfon is proud to announce it has been awarded the industry-leading Quiet Mark certification for its Mono Acoustic, Blanka and Color-all acoustic ceiling tile ranges which will help solve these excessive noise issues, and they will look amazing. https://www.quietmark.com/brands/rockfon Here we have a beautiful range of colours and styles that allow you to get as creative - or discreet - as you like with your acoustic ceiling and they all have built-in Class A sound absorption from the stone wool core.   Rockfon is one of a growing number of building material manufacturers to have its products assessed by Quiet Mark. Nigel Watkins, Country Director at Rockfon UK & Ireland, explains why: “Rockfon has been an expert in acoustics for over 60 years, but we understand very well that acoustics can be complex. Quiet Mark certification is a short cut for saying “this product is going to help make your space quieter.” Rockfon Mono Acoustic is a seamless acoustic ceiling. It is often used discreetly in residential properties, heritage projects or offices where it looks like a smooth plasterboard finish, but it has Class A sound absorption. But Mono Acoustic has allowed the imaginations of some architects to run riot, creating big geometric shapes or curves on walls and ceilings, to create Instagrammable moments for their clients in restaurants, shops and public spaces. Not all acoustic suspended ceilings are white. There are 34 contemporary colours in the Rockfon Color-all range which has been curated by Interior Designer, Sara Garanty, chosen to reflect nature’s colours.  The tiles – which come with a matching grid – provide great opportunities for zoning different areas, depending on how you want to make people feel. Greens are relaxing, blues encourage us to think outside the box and be creative, yellows are uplifting, creams and browns feel cosy, and so on. These tones are designed to bring acoustic and visual comfort to interiors, to enhance well-being Quiet Mark is an independent global certification programme associated with the UK Noise Abatement Society charitable foundation. Its international award programme recognises excellence in low-noise products, technology and solutions to unwanted noise. Poppy Szkiler, chief executive and co-founder of Quiet Mark, said: “Because sound is invisible, it is often overlooked. Yet the fundamental impact it has on all the physical rhythms of our bodies, our hormones, heart rate and brain waves, is so profound and inherent to our wellbeing, and therefore also to the design process of the buildings we live in.” “Quiet Mark and our expert team of acousticians are delighted to approve and certify three beautiful acoustic ceiling products by industry leaders, Rockfon, whose vast selection of edge designs, dimensions, colours and shapes help architects create spaces that people can enjoy with their eyes and their ears”.

Birmingham’s Grade II listed Municipal Bank, a significant historical site, had sat unoccupied since 2006 before being purchased by The University of Birmingham which planned to convert it to a civic space that could benefit all.Built in the 1930s by T. Cecil Howitt, a refurbishment and extension of the building was planned to provide the University with a brand new city-centre based campus. The bank’s redevelopment has since created a learning space for students as well as exhibition and event spaces, meeting rooms and public areas, including a café.Architect, Glancy Nicholls designed the extension and refurbishment. The build was complex, having to accommodate and preserve many heritage features. Main contractor, Galliford Try chose to specify Knauf for a number of internal elements, including Knauf Shaftwall and Knauf plasterboards, due to their experiences of using Knauf products. Drywall Contracts were responsible for the installation of Knauf products, which proved highly compatible with the build’s heritage elements. Honouring the Bank’s historical architectural standing was at the core of the project’s design and construction. “Working around historic architecture, there were a lot of bespoke elements to this project. It was key that modernisation didn’t take away from any historic features and working with Knauf products helped achieve the project with that mindset,” said Jon Jacznik, Director of Drywall Contracts.  For example, a technique called Ashlar plastering was used to create a tile affect that mimicked heritage designs on Knauf boards and partitions. Freddy Maxwell-Heart, Site Manager at Galliford Try, noted that “Knauf successfully worked with heritage plasterers to achieve this effect consistently.”Another integral aspect of the build was the need to bring the 100-year-old building up to modern specifications so that it could meet today’s building regulations. Several Knauf high performance boards were used on this project, their characteristics lending themselves to the practical and regulatory requirements of the build.Knauf Impact Panel, for example, was chosen for use in areas of The Exchange which are open to the general public due to its impact resistance and robust qualities.Being a mixed-use space with offices and events spaces, thorough sound proofing was needed in places. For this, Knauf Sound Panel and Shield Plus was used to ensure a suitable and comfortable environment throughout the building.Knauf Fire Panel also featured heavily in this project. This helped ensure the building’s fire standards met stringent regulations, especially given its Grade II listed status.Construction of The Exchange took place at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 during a nationwide lockdown. This was a challenging time for the industry, but Jon remarked that “Knauf continued to supply systems to ensure client requirements were met with as little disruption as possible.”Similarly happy with the level of support Knauf offered, Freddy observed that “Knauf were very helpful throughout and, Project Technical Manager, Tom Chamberlain was particularly helpful in addressing technical issues.”Jon agreed, adding that “Tom worked closely with the contract manager to overcome all the nuances and oddities the building threw at us. There was a lot of coordination between parties and frequent changes to the plans which Knauf responded to promptly.”Opened in September 2021, the re-developed Exchange offers a significant contribution to the heart of Birmingham and the city’s wider Arena Central masterplan.

Achieving a Building Regulations compliant level of soundproofing in residential conversion projects demands the use of superior quality soundproofing materials and systems, which are deployed in the right way. It is an approach that a recent development in the south Manchester suburb of Levenshulme perfectly encapsulates, with outstanding results for the developer and future residents.Hush Acoustics was tasked to provide a solution for a conversion project at 31 Albert Road, Levenshulme by Meridian Construction & Refurbishments. It was converting the five-bedroom Victorian dwelling into two residential flats, which meant the separating floors had to be constructed in a way that would meet the acoustic standards set out in Approved Document E of the Building Regulations for England and Wales.Under Approved Document E, ‘material change of use’ projects like this must incorporate soundproofing in the floors between individual dwellings to reduce the risk of nuisance sound transmission. Evidence that the floor construction complies with the standards is normally provided to building control through post-installation acoustic testing, which on this project was undertaken by C80 Solutions.Hush Acoustics was invited to attend the site by Meridian when the building was at its early rip out stage. This provided an opportunity to get a clear understanding of the situation and discuss the options for the separating floors to ensure they would meet the requirements of Approved Document E.The floor structure was a traditional timber floor with floorboards. There was only a very limited specification in the design, so Hush was able to help by providing specialist technical consultation to develop the most cost effective and easy to install solution for the Meridian site team.Following the site visit and inspection of the building, Hush Acoustics’ soundproofing specialists developed an acoustic product specification for the separating floors that would not only meet the minimum standards of the Building Regulations, but exceed them with ease.Hush-Panel 17, a thin MDF overlay board which incorporates a 10mm Hush-Felt resilient layer, was installed over the structural deck. This was glued using Hush-Bond Panel Adhesive and isolated at the perimeters using Hush-Seal 20.The structural deck consisted of the original floorboards that had been overboarded with a thin plywood. This provided a solid flat surface to install the acoustic flooring. The existing ceiling was left in place where possible to avoid the need for ripping out where it was not required, which allowed for a new acoustic ceiling to be installed. This consisted of two layers of 15mm Fireline plasterboard on a suspended frame with Hush-Slab 100 sound absorber slabs placed within the ceiling void.As part of the service, Hush Acoustics arranged for the acoustic testing to be carried out by testing partner C80 Solutions. They recorded the following results:Airborne – 53 dB DnTw+Ctr and 52 dB DnTw+Ctr (the higher, the better)Impact – 48 dB LnTw and 43 dB LnTw (the lower, the better)These are very good acoustic figures for a separating floor in a residential conversion project of this kind, demonstrating what can be achieved with a combination of high quality soundproofing materials are combined and installation correctly.Ultimately, this outstanding acoustic performance for the separating floors will help to ensure a high level of satisfaction for the future residents of these modern apartments.