GKL acoustic “Knauf”: soundproof drywall

Building materials are constantly being improved, and manufacturers are striving to give some products new properties, expanding the scope of their application. The materials of the new generation include the unique development of the Knauf company - acoustic GKL. Let's find out what features and characteristics this type of drywall has, and where and how it can be used.

Features of Acoustic Drywall

The words “acoustic” and “acoustics” as applied to building materials usually tell us that the material has sound-absorbing or sound-absorbing properties. For example, acoustic mineral wool, soundproofing panels for walls or rolled soundproofing material in the form of a membrane can reduce the noise level in the room, preventing the ingress of sounds from outside and from neighboring apartments. But acoustic drywall is not on a par with these materials.

Important! The task of acoustic drywall is not sound insulation, but sound absorption. If you decide to protect yourself from noisy neighbors, acoustic drywall will not help you!

This error has crept into many construction sites and portals and is misleading, but if you open the section on Knauf-acoustics slabs on the official website, you will not see a word that it is soundproof material.

Why then do you need acoustic drywall? This material is used to improve the acoustic characteristics of the room. This means that he:

• reduces the level of background noise arising in the room itself;
• reduces echo;
• eliminates the effect of "echo";
• improves speech perception.

Thus, according to the Knauf company itself, the Knauf-acoustics drywall allows you to create a comfortable acoustic environment in any room, which is especially important for objects with high requirements for it:

• in recording studios;
• in music classes, concert and rehearsal rooms;
• in cinemas;
• in meeting rooms;
• in classrooms.

The acoustic variety of GCR there is a place in the apartment. It will help solve the problem of echo, which is inherent in some rooms, and will be appreciated by music lovers, musicians playing at home, as well as home theater owners.

Main characteristics

Now let’s find out, due to which the Knauf-Acoustics boards have the above properties.

• Perforation on the surface. Many through holes act as resonators, providing sound absorption. As a result, sound waves quickly decay, falling into a kind of trap.
• The non-woven fabric on the back also has sound-absorbing properties. Depending on the design, you can choose GKL with black or white non-woven fabric.

Acoustic GKL "Knauf" has several options for the location and shape of the holes, which determine the model of material:

1. With continuous perforation. On this model, the holes are distributed evenly over the entire surface.
2. With block perforation. The holes are located on the plane in separate groups.
3. With round perforation in the form of holes with a diameter of 0.8 cm.
4. With square perforation, where the holes are made in the form of a square with a side of 1.2 cm.
5. With diffused round perforation - holes on the surface are arranged in a chaotic manner and have different sizes - 0.8 cm, 1.5 cm and 2 cm.

The shape of the holes, as well as their location, have a great influence on the design of GCR and on the characteristic of sound absorption.

Edge shapes

Acoustic GCR models also differ in the shape of the edges. They can be:

• With curly or seam edges made in the form of steps. Such models have the abbreviation "FC".
• With straight edges with the designation "PC".

Sheets of material can have edges of the same type, but can be different:

• For 4PK sheets, all four edges are straight.
• 2PC / 2FK sheets have two straight and two fold edges.
• Sheets marked 4FK have four seam edges.

On the opposite sides can be located only the same type of edge. Sheathing of one plane should be performed with sheets that have the same perforation and the same edges.

Dimensions

Dimensions of acoustic GCR differ from standard sizes:

• Width - 118.8 cm, 119.7 cm, 122.4 cm, 120 cm.
• Sheet length - 199.8 cm, 200 cm, 244.8 cm, 240 cm.
• The thickness of one sheet is standard - 12.5 mm.
• The weight of one sheet varies from 8.8 to 9.6 kg.

Advantages of Knauf Acoustics

Acoustic drywall has many advantages compared to similar materials:

• The price is consistent with its quality.
• Safe eco-friendly material can be installed in residential premises.
• Perforation of various shapes and sizes makes it possible to select a material with the required level of sound absorption.
• Different types of edges of soundproof drywall allow you to finish walls and ceilings with an invisible joint.
• The material can be used to create curved surfaces.

The interesting and spectacular appearance of acoustic plates makes them valuable in terms of design material.

In addition, GKL acoustic from Knauf:

• Lightweight and flexible.
• Easy to handle and install.
• Allows to apply paint of any color.
• Eliminates the need for wet work.

Installation

You can do the installation of sound-absorbing drywall with your own hands. To do this, you need a standard set of tools for working with gypsum plaster, finishing material, fasteners.

As a finishing material for acoustic plates, paint is used.

All work is performed as follows:

1. Mark and cut the material.
2. Mounted frame of metal profiles, which are pre-glued sealing tape.
3. If necessary, additional sound insulation is installed.
4. Sound-absorbing drywall is attached to the frame with self-tapping screws, as well as ordinary sheets.

Important! Acoustic plates, unlike conventional gypsum plasterboards, are mounted on the frame without bias.

Features of working with Knauf-Acoustics panels

When working with acoustic GCR, you need to remember some important points:

• Joints of 4PK panels are putty without reinforcing tape. The edges are pre-cut with a slight bevel, the panels are mounted with a gap of 3-4 mm. The stitches will fill up putty "Uniflot"deepenings from self-tapping screws are putty. after drying, the joints are puttyed with finishing putty and sanded.

Important! The surface of the acoustic drywall does not require continuous puttying.

• The connection of 4FK panels does not require additional processing, since the docking is performed due to folds.
• Arched constructions are carried out using dry and wet bending using plywood templates.