Selecting the optimal plasterboard for soundproofing applications requires careful consideration of specific acoustic challenges, project constraints, and performance requirements. The UK market offers several specialised products engineered to address different aspects of sound control.
Premium Acoustic Plasterboard Options
British Gypsum Gyproc SoundBloc British Gypsum's SoundBloc range represents one of the most widely used acoustic solutions in the UK market. These boards feature a higher density gypsum core with added polymers that enhance sound insulation properties. Available in 12.5mm and 15mm thicknesses, SoundBloc delivers approximately 10% better sound insulation than standard plasterboard of equivalent thickness.
The 15mm variant provides superior performance and is recommended for applications requiring maximum acoustic benefit. When used in British Gypsum's tested systems, SoundBloc can contribute to constructions achieving up to 63dB Rw (weighted sound reduction index), making it suitable for even demanding acoustic environments like home cinema rooms or music practice spaces.
Knauf Soundshield Plus Knauf's premium acoustic solution, Soundshield Plus, uses a specially formulated high-density core with fibreglass reinforcement to achieve exceptional sound insulation properties. The product offers excellent performance across a broad frequency range and is particularly effective against speech frequencies, making it ideal for office partitions or bedroom walls in residential settings.
At 12.5mm thickness, Soundshield Plus offers performance comparable to 15mm standard boards while maintaining compatibility with conventional fixing methods. When incorporated into Knauf's tested wall systems with appropriate insulation and installation details, these boards can contribute to constructions achieving up to 61dB Rw.
Siniat Encore Siniat's Encore board represents another excellent option, featuring a multi-layer construction with different density materials. This approach creates multiple impedance changes that effectively dissipate sound energy across various frequency ranges. The product's engineered core structure provides enhanced performance without excessive weight, making it suitable for both new build and renovation projects.
Encore boards are available in 12.5mm and 15mm options, with the latter recommended for maximum acoustic performance. When used in Siniat's recommended systems, these boards can contribute to constructions achieving sound reduction values of up to 59dB Rw.
Specialist Solutions for Specific Requirements
Laminated Acoustic Boards For projects with severe space constraints or where maximum performance per unit thickness is required, laminated acoustic boards like British Gypsum's SoundBloc Duplex offer an excellent solution. These products combine an acoustic plasterboard layer with a bonded layer of high-density mineral or polymer material, creating a composite that offers superior performance to single-layer solutions of equivalent thickness.
Duplex boards are particularly valuable in refurbishment projects where existing room dimensions must be maintained while improving acoustic performance. Their enhanced mass and dampening properties make them effective against both airborne and impact noise transmission.
Impact-Resistant Acoustic Options For areas subject to both acoustic requirements and potential impact damage, such as corridors in educational or healthcare settings, specialised products like Gyproc Habito combine enhanced acoustic properties with superior impact resistance. These boards feature a reinforced gypsum core that maintains excellent sound attenuation while providing approximately 10 times the impact resistance of standard boards.
The additional strength of these products also provides superior fixing capabilities, allowing heavier items to be attached directly to the board without special fixings—a significant advantage when installing acoustic treatments or equipment in studio or home theatre applications.
System Compatibility Considerations
When selecting acoustic plasterboard, compatibility with the overall construction system remains crucial for optimal performance. Leading UK manufacturers offer tested and certified complete systems that ensure components work together effectively:
British Gypsum GypWall Systems British Gypsum's GypWall QUIET and GypWall QUIET SF systems are specifically designed for residential party walls and internal partitions respectively. These comprehensive solutions combine SoundBloc boards with optimised stud configurations, appropriate insulation, and specialised accessories to achieve certified performance levels exceeding building regulation requirements.
Knauf Performer Systems Knauf's Performer partitions integrate Soundshield Plus boards with specific frame designs and acoustic barriers to create complete solutions for different performance requirements. For maximum acoustic separation, their high-performance options incorporate multiple board layers, staggered stud arrangements, and specialised isolation materials.
For the best soundproofing results, selecting not just the right acoustic plasterboard but the entire compatible system will deliver significantly better outcomes than focusing on board specification alone. Consulting manufacturers' system guides ensures all components work together to achieve the desired acoustic performance.
