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Soundproofing * Products

Acoustiblok® is a unique 1.1 lb. psf U.L. Classified, high S.T.C. reinforced dense noise isolating material which is utilized as a structural treatment for reducing sound transmission. It contains no lead or asbestos materials.It is specifically formulated to meet rigid requirements such that is approved by U.L. for walls, ceilings and floors (see U.L. classification), also U.K. tested "B.S. 476: part 7". Acoustiblok® is typically applied as part of layered wall, ceiling or floor construction. It is usually stapled to wood studs or screwed to metal studs prior to drywall. Each layer of 16 oz Acoustiblok® reduces sound transmission by as much as 30 db depending on the frequencies (see "Riverbank Lab" test results below).  It has more sound deadening effectiveness than some treatments with lead. A typical 2 x 4 gypsum stud wall is usually 33 to 35 STC. Acoustiblok® installed in the 2 x 4 wall is lab certified at an amazing "STC of 52", better than 12" of poured concrete (STC 51).

NEW! Certified independent testing of an Acoustiblok ThermaBlok™ wall assembly has validated a wall R value increase of up to 22%. See below for detailed information.

Acoustiblok's U.L. Classification file number is R21490. Acoustiblok is approved for use in 199 wall and 78 floor/ceiling designs in the Fire Protection Catalog. See the Acoustiblok page at Underwriters' Laboratories, for approved wall and floor/ceiling design series . 

Beware of code compliance claims based on the "U.L. 94" flame test standard, which only "...tests for flammability of plastic materials used for parts in devices and appliances."  With regard to U.L. Std 94, Underwriters Laboratories specifically states, "These requirements do not cover plastics when used as materials for building construction or finishing."

Acoustiblok® audio specifications (STC, NRC, IIC) are independent laboratory test results by Riverbank Acoustical Laboratories, NGC Testing Services, and Intertek ETL/Semko. Original reports are available from your Acoustiblok sales representative on request. Don't put your project at risk by relying on uncontrolled vendor "field test" or self test results - insist on hard numbers from certified independent laboratory tests, when specifying acoustical solutions. 

PHYSICAL DATA - 16 oz ACOUSTIBLOK STC (Sound Transmission Class) Per Riverbank Acoustical Laboratories TL03-085 3-14-2003 26 Weight per Sq Ft 1 lb. ft2 (4.89 kg square meter) Thickness 0.11" ± 0.03" (2.79 mm ± 0.76 mm) Width 54" ± 0.125" (1.372 meters ± 3.175 mm) Tensile Strength 510 PSI Heat Deformation, 200o F for 7 days Less than 1% shrink, no deformation Mold resistance per ASTM D3273 & ASTM D3274 10, no fungal growth Color Black UL Classified per Std 263, File R21490 for use in 177 wall & floor/ceiling designs Fire Resistance Catalog Series U300, U400, V400, L500 Waterproof, Non-corroding, UV Resistant, High electrical resistance Acoustiblok® material is 100% recyclable

 Acoustical Data:

Acoustiblok® is a U.L. classified flexible high STC sound isolation material. U.L. approved for use in U.L. rated wall designs of U300, U400 and V400 series. Also for use in U.L. rated floor/ceiling designs of the L500 series. High electrical resistance. No fungal growth per ASTM D 3272 & ASTM D 3274. Weight is 1 Lb. per sq. ft. Properties: Non-corroding, waterproof, tensile PSI min 510. thickness of .11 ± .03 inches, minimum of 26 STC, no deformation at 200 degrees F. pass burn test per mil std 1623. pass burn test MVS 302 and self extinguishing, DIE 'C' tear (#IN) tested, available in rolls of 54" x up to 350'. U.K. tested B.S 476:part 7 Transmission loss of 19DB@100hz.

Tested Acoustiblok Wall Configurations:
Normal Wood Stud Wall	Acoustiblok Wood Stud Wall
Normal Steel Stud Wall	Acoustiblok Steel Stud Wall
Double Steel Stud Wall
Maximum Sound Isolation: Highest Standard in the Industry
Acoustiblok VS Additional Layers of Drywall
Independent certified laboratory test results demonstrate that using additional layers of drywall is not a substitute for an Acoustiblok installation: Adding one 1/8" layer of Acoustiblok provides signifigantly higher STC results than adding two extra layers of 5/8" gypsum board. The measured difference in STC (+13) when using Acoustiblok, is more than a 50% difference to the human ear. An Acoustiblok installation assures superior acoustical performance, without design changes to accommodate an added 1-1/4" in partition thickness.
Test reports: TL04-274, STC 53 per Riverbank Laboratories (2 layers drywall,1 layer Acoustiblok) NGC 2363, STC 40 per Natinal Gypsum Corporation (4 layers drywall, no Acoustiblok) OCF 423, STC 36 per Owens-Corning (2 layers drywall, wood stud, no Acoustiblok) Other Advantages of using Acoustiblok instead of additonal layers of drywall include: Less weight in the building Not subject to water damage Adds thermal insulation value Less wall thickness Easier access/installation for electrical fixtures Easier access for in-wall elecrical & plumbing work Create an added value to the building that can be sold as an upgrade or an attrubute Adding additonal layer of drywall for 'soundproofing' is a very poor defense in noise complaint litigation
ThermaBlok™ is a revolutionary advancement in acoustic thermal technology. The use of space age nano-particle technology has produced a material that not only has the lowest thermal conductivity rating of any thermal insulation (13,5mW/m-K), but has exceptional acoustical properties as well. ThermaBlok™ is a flexible fiber composite material, 3/8" (9.5mm) x 1 1/2" (38mm) wide x 8' (2.44m) long. It is installed directly to the wall framing, before the installation of Acoustiblok or the drywall. ThermaBlok has a peel and stick backing for quick and easy installation and is easily to cut to size. Certified independent testing of an Acoustiblok ThermaBlok™ wall assembly has validated a wall R value increase of over 40%. Annual energy savings from the use of this product provides a quick ROI cost recovery while providing considerable energy savings over the project life. Additionally, Thermablok™ provides improved noise reduction characteristics through its acoustical dampening properties. When independently tested the Acoustiblok Thermablok™ assemblies provided STC (57) performance, virtually equivalent to 24" of solid poured concrete (STC58)! Visit the all new Thermablok website for complete information and technical specifications.
Tested Acoustiblok Floor/Ceiling Configurations:
Tile Flooring	Tile with Suspended Ceiling
Ceiling	Carpeted Flooring
Hardwood on Pan Floor	Tile on Pan Floor
Wood Flooring on Joists	Wood Flooring with Gypcrete®
Staggered Stud Wall
All weather sound panel™ (16 oz Acoustiblok™)

 

Transmission Loss Report:

16 Oz Acoustiblok® material tested alone (not installed in partition)

Contact Acoustiblok for original acoustical test reports and technical information.

 

Acoustiblok vs. "Mass Loaded Vinyl"

Acoustiblok Sound Isolation Material is often held as the reference for barrier type noise isolation materials. It is often heard that manufacturers of similar looking barrier materials are saying “Our product is the same as Acoustiblok’, they are not.

The Acoustiblok is a proprietary formulated viscoelastic polymer that is unmatched in either acoustical and fire performance or in international industry acceptance.

Acoustiblok has achieved the optimum balance of mass, flexibility and fire resistance with our proprietary formulation. While published densities of 1 lb/Sq Ft is often used as the validating point for the products being the same; the reality is, if you compare same size samples side by side you will find that there are significant weight and flexibility differences between the materials. Some similar materials are stiff and heavy; others are limp and light, and others in between. Acoustiblok´s unique material composition expends the greatest amount of acoustical energy of any similar product or assembly size.

Acoustiblok Sound Isolation Material has been extensively tested acoustically by independent accredited facilities, within many different wall and floor/ceiling configurations. Lab tests provide an accurate baseline of performance repeatability in your project installations. “Field tests’ should never be used for establishing project performance specifications due to the many variations of materials, installation, room sizes, etc.

Many of the manufacturer´s published acoustical ratings are nothing more than copied ratings from other similar material websites, marketing brochures, or are calculated values. In fact, no “equivalent’ product, that we´re aware of, has actually been tested and produced a valid test report to substantiate their claims. Ask for a certified copy of any specification or U.L. classifications claimed which must be in their name. As the manufacturer, Acoustiblok´s proprietary formulation and manufacturing process controls are regularly monitored by U.L. Labs to assure consistent product performance.

STC ratings are only a portion of the acoustical differences. Acoustiblok has performed extended frequency testing of its wall assemblies to provide a more accurate “real world’ performance reference. STC ratings are established based upon transmission losses of frequencies only between 125 and 4000 Hz. This test specification was established long ago to cover basic vocal ranges.Todays lifestyles of higher density living, modern electronics, and other factors show that this limited test does not provide an accurate indication of the assemblies effectiveness in present day living. Extended frequency testing shows that Acoustiblok provides an incredible 23db reduction at 40 Hz, in a standard single stud assembly with only one layer of Acoustiblok.

Because of Acoustiblok proprietary formulation it is approved (classified) for more (over 300) U.L. rated construction assemblies than any other sound abatement product. To our knowledge there is not a similar tested product that has proper U.L. classification at all. Many manufacturers state approval to a UL94 standard which is not applicable for building construction applications. In UL94 spec paragraph 1.5 it specifically states “These requirements do not cover plastics when used as materials for building construction or finishing’. Acoustiblok is a self extinguishing material while many of the similar products are rubber based materials that are combustible.

Acoustiblok Material is rated with the highest score possible (10) for protection against mold & mildew growth (independent & certified ASTM D3273 test). We know of no other similar product achieving. An acceptable rating let alone the highest rating, 10.

Acoustiblok Material is also good for the environment as it is a recyclable product and it is manufactured using over 80% organic and recyclable material content. Non hazardous, odor free and will not diminish in performance over time.

The new Acoustiblok formulation has significant ability to increase a wall thermal insulation by as much 25 to 40%, adding to the energy efficiency of the building, and “leed’ points.

Using a name brand product which is recognized and installed throughout the world (even winning awards in the British House of Commons) will of course add to the resale value and credibility of any building.