FAQs : Answers to commonly asked questions

QuietRock will reduce the transmission of airborne noise through a wall or floor/ceiling assembly. Reducing sound echo inside a space is a different classification of products aimed at sound absorption. Because QuietRock is a gypsum faced product, it is likely to have the same absorption characteristics as any gypsum drywall panel.

Yes. QuietRock® 545 is engineered with added mass for low-frequency attenuation and provides sound isolation across a broad frequency range, including both high and low frequencies. It is designed for applications where low-frequency sound and vibration require sound isolation.

Proper design in HVAC is a necessary component to reducing flanking sound transmission from room to room. Generally, main HVAC lines should be along corridors, with supplies and returns branching off of the main line to each unit, according to academic textbooks on this subject.

However, like wall partition design, there are many varied and complex aspects of HVAC design in buildings. We recommend that you consult and collaborate with an acoustical engineer and HVAC professional for design specifics related to HVAC in buildings.

QuietPutty® is designed for use with QuietRock® sound-reducing drywall and QuietSeal® Pro acoustical sealant as part of the complete Quiet® Sound Damping System. QuietPutty provides an acoustic seal around wall and ceiling penetrations, while QuietSeal Pro is used around wall perimeters to help prevent noise leaks.

QuietSeal® Pro is designed for use with QuietRock® sound-reducing drywall to help maintain the acoustic performance of the wall assembly by sealing around wall perimeters and helping prevent noise leaks. QuietSeal Pro, QuietRock® sound-reducing drywall, and QuietPutty® acoustical putty are components of the complete Quiet® Sound Damping System.

QuietCoat® can be applied using a brush, roller, air gun, or airless sprayer. It is a water-based coating that allows cleanup with water.

The STC rating is an ASTM standardized metric (ASTM E413) that takes the measured sound isolation data (ASTM E90) and then compares it to a standard contour so the data set (Sound Transmission Loss, or STL) can be classified as a single number. Here is an easier way to compare STC to STL. The STL is simply a set of numbers that are measured with a microphone. It doesn’t mean anything useful until it is correlated to how we experience sound. The STC is meant to take that set of numbers and relate them to how we perceive the reduction in sound transmission through walls. It’s hard to find any meaning in a set of acoustics-related data unless they can relate something to our experience of what things sound like in rooms. 

According to a recent research study conducted by PABCO gypsum both fiberglass and mineral wood insulation provided 1-4 STC points of improvement over none at all (empty cavity) even across different treatments that were applied to the wall assembly, such as multiple layers of wallboard, QuietRock in multiple configurations, and soundboard.

When resilient channels are applied to one side of the framing, things change significantly. With resilient channels on the framing, the improvement when adding fiberglass or mineral wool, over no insulation at all, was 7-9 STC points.

There was no statistically significant difference between the fiberglass and the mineral wool insulations in any of these assembly types.

HVAC ducting represents a potential leakage point for sound transmission from space to space. Our QuietCoat product is designed to damp sound (vibration) in metal surfaces such as sheet metal ducting and can help reduce sound transfer/transmission through these materials. Keep in mind that sound can also travel through the duct opening itself so just using QuietCoat to damp the duct surface may not be enough. We suggest you speak with an experienced HVAC company about products or ways to reduce sound transmission through the duct opening itself.

No, unfortunately, acoustical performance is not a linearly additive process. In other words, adding another layer of QuietRock to the opposite side does not result in doubling the noise reduction. Instead, you see an incremental gain in acoustical performance. This incremental gain can vary dependent on the details associated with the assembly design and the materials and components used to construct the wall.

Yes. QuietRock® 530RF is approved for SCIF applications, with RF shielding tested in accordance with IEEE-STD-299. QuietRock 530RF is a key component of the QuietRF® System, which also includes QuietSeam® RF and QuietRF Tape. The complete system is required to achieve RF shielding.

QuietCoat® is used to reduce noise and vibration in applications such as HVAC ducts, machinery, metal roofing, appliances, vehicles, and metal framing. It can be applied to porous and nonporous metal surfaces and other compatible materials where vibration damping is needed.

QuietCoat® 118 is a viscoelastic acoustical coating designed to reduce noise and vibration in metal, plastic, and composite materials. Part of the Quiet® family of sound control products, QuietCoat can be applied to surfaces including stainless steel, galvanized iron, aluminum, and reinforced plastic materials.

QuietPutty® is used to acoustically seal penetrations in wall and ceiling assemblies, including electrical outlet boxes, rocker switches, HVAC ducts, water hookups, and cable systems. It remains soft with minimal shrinkage to help provide a long-lasting acoustic seal.

QuietPutty® is a Class A fire-resistant acoustical putty designed to help preserve the acoustic performance of STC-rated wall and ceiling assemblies. It is used to provide an acoustic seal around electrical outlet boxes, switches, HVAC ducts, water hookups, cable systems, and other wall or ceiling penetrations.

QuietRock 510 is a 1/2-inch sound-reducing drywall panel for residential new construction and remodeling. It provides sound control in a single gypsum panel and can also be installed over existing walls without demolition.

QuietRock® 530 is a 5/8-inch sound-reducing drywall panel that combines high-performance sound control with added shear and impact resistance. Part of the Quiet® family of sound control products, QuietRock 530 is designed for load-bearing and non-load-bearing assemblies and high-traffic applications where acoustic performance and durability are priorities.

QuietRock® 530RF is a 5/8-inch sound-reducing drywall panel with radio frequency (RF) shielding designed for high-security applications. Part of the Quiet® family of sound control products and a key component of the QuietRF® System, it combines sound control, RF shielding, fire resistance, and impact resistance in a single panel and can provide added shear resistance.

QuietRock® 545 is a 1-3/8-inch sound-reducing drywall panel engineered to provide maximum sound isolation across a broad frequency range, including low-frequency sound. Part of the Quiet® family of sound control products, QuietRock 545 is designed for demanding acoustic applications such as commercial theaters, studios, performance spaces, and music rooms.

QuietRock® EZ-SNAP® Mold Resistant (ES MR) is a 5/8-inch mold-resistant, sound-reducing Type X drywall panel designed for applications where both sound control and mold resistance are required. Part of the Quiet® family of sound control products, it features patented EZ-SNAP® technology for easy score-and-snap installation and provides added mold resistance for mold-sensitive applications.

QuietRock® EZ-SNAP® is a 5/8-inch sound-reducing Type X drywall panel designed for residential, commercial, and institutional sound control applications. Part of the Quiet® family of sound control products, it features patented EZ-SNAP technology that allows installers to easily score and snap the panel while delivering high acoustic performance.

QuietSeal® Pro is applied around wall perimeters to help prevent noise leaks that can reduce the acoustic performance of a wall assembly. It also provides a draft and cold-smoke seal in addition to noise sealing.

QuietSeal® Pro is a high-performance, non-hardening acoustical sealant designed to help optimize the acoustic performance of STC-rated wall assemblies. Applied around wall perimeters, QuietSeal Pro helps prevent noise leaks and remains soft to help maintain long-lasting acoustic performance.

QuietRock® 530 and QuietRock® 530RF provide sound control, impact resistance, and added shear resistance. QuietRock 530RF adds radio frequency (RF) shielding capabilities and is a key component of the complete QuietRF® System for applications requiring RF shielding.

QuietRock® ES and QuietRock® ES MR are 5/8-inch Type X sound-reducing drywall panels that feature patented EZ-SNAP® technology. QuietRock ES MR provides the same core benefits of QuietRock ES with added mold resistance for mold-sensitive applications.

QuietRock is a gypsum drywall faced product and has similar NRC values as other gypsum drywall products.

Factors affecting fire resistance and sound control may not always work cooperatively to improve performance.  The two major opposing factors are stud spacing and fastener spacing.  While narrow stud spacing may improve fire performance, it could decrease sound performance.  Likewise, reducing fastener spacing (8” o.c. versus 12” o.c.) on the applied gypsum panels can help improve fire performance while possibly negatively affecting sound performance. Steel stud mil thickness will also inversely affect fire and sound.  Where increasing the mil thickness may improved fire performance, it may decrease the acoustic performance; the opposite is also true.

Insulation is a tricky one, while it can improve sound performance, it can have varying effects on fire performance, depending on the assembly.

There are a few steps however that will positively affect both fire and sound, such as, using deeper studs, and increasing the air gap in double framed walls.

Fiberglass batt insulation is recommended for use with QuietRock. According to our testing on wood framed partitions, there is no statistically significant difference in performance between fiberglass batt and “soundproof” mineral wool insulation.

Resilient batt insulation is recommended over blown-in or spray foam insulations. Blown-in insulation will eventually settle and compact into the bottom of the wall leaving large open air spaces in the upper part of the wall untreated.

According to recent testing by the Gypsum Association, spray foam insulation types such as closed cell or Isocyanate-based foams may decrease the sound isolation of the partition, especially for steel-framed assemblies. Expanding foam creates stiffness with very little additional mass, which is generally detrimental to sound isolation performance.

Soundproof and soundproofing are common words that we use to refer to any material or system that reduces sound inside a room or reduces sound that transmits from room to room. In truth, materials or systems that eliminate all sound (soundproof) don’t exist. Some sound always leaks or transmits through or around partitions and barriers.

Please take a look at these resources:

The Sound Design Guide

The Gypsum Association’s GA-600 Fire Resistance and Sound Control Design Manual

UL Product iQ CKNX.R7094 PABCO Gypsum Board

QuietRock® 530 is designed for applications requiring sound control with added shear and impact resistance. It can be used in load-bearing and non-load-bearing assemblies and in high-traffic areas prone to impact and penetration, including schools, hospitals, and correctional facilities.

QuietRock® 545 is ideal for applications where high levels of sound isolation and low-frequency sound mitigation are important, including high-end home theaters, commercial theaters, studios, performance spaces, music rooms, and mechanical rooms.

Electrical outlet boxes and other wall penetrations require an acoustic seal to help preserve the acoustic performance of an STC-rated assembly. QuietPutty® is designed for use around electrical outlet boxes and other penetrations and remains soft with minimal shrinkage to help provide a long-lasting acoustic seal.

Unlike “decoupled” approaches such as resilient channel (RC) or sound clip systems (RSIC clips), QuietRock performance is not likely to be affected by attaching shelves, TV’s or other fastened items to the wall. This is because QuietRock technology uses a different approach to attenuating sound.

Area Separation Walls are required to be constructed in accordance with the design and fire test report and must be continuous from foundation to or through the roof deck. In areas requiring seismic design per International Building Code (IBC), the vertical continuity requirement of the fire wall and horizontal floor or roof sheathing required to accommodate seismic movement are in direct conflict with each other. Section 706.2 of IBC provides an exception to vertical continuity of fire walls in Seismic Design Categories D through F, by allowing floor and roof sheathing less than 3/4” thick to be continuous through the wall assemblies of light frame construction. 

Yes, screws can be substituted for nails provided they are the same length and head diameter as the specified nails. The specified spacing must also be kept the same.

Repairing the 1” shaftliner in an ASW depends on the degree and type of damage.   For minor dents or dings, facer tears or rips, or small fastener holes in the panel, a fire-rated sealant or setting type joint compound can be applied over the area.  If the damage is more severe, such as penetrations through the panel, major damage to the core, or broken or missing corners, the panel must be replaced. 

Blistering joints are the result of not having enough joint compound under the tape. The best way to repair blistering joints is to open up the blistered area by slitting the tape. Fill the cut with joint compound and press the tape back into place with a knife blade. 

PABCO® Gypsum’s Area Separation Wall (ASW) assembly is tested to a height up to 66’.  Clip placement will depend on the height as detailed in our ASW Brochure.

The maximum recommended control joint spacing for walls and ceilings without perimeter relief is 30 feet. With perimeter relief the maximum recommended control joint spacing is 50 feet. A full height—floor to ceiling—doorframe may be considered a control joint in walls or partitions extending in a continuous straight plane for more than 30 linear feet. 

In dry areas, any gypsum panel may be used as a tile backer for walls or ceilings. 

In shower and tub enclosures, or other wet areas, water-resistant gypsum panels may be used provided a waterproofing membrane, compliant to ASNI A118.10, is properly applied over the entire surface prior to tile installation. 

Gypsum panels should never be installed in areas with direct exposure to water or continuous high humidity, such as saunas or enclosed pool areas. 

See our Tech Tip – Can gypsum panels be used as tile backers?

Joint cracking and ridging are typically caused by movement of the framing or improper installation and finishing. 

Prior to drywall installation, framing materials should be protected, particularly wood products, as they will absorb and release moisture until they have reached an equilibrium with the surroundings.  Wood products must be kept dry at all stages of construction so the moisture content is less than 19%, as defined by the model building codes. The minimum moisture content can be as low as 6%, depending on the region.   

In addition, wood and steel studs must be installed to be straight and true with no bends, twists, or damage. 

To begin installation of paper faced gypsum board, the interior should be fully enclosed and protected from outside elements.  Once enclosed, the interior needs to be conditioned and maintained at a minimum 50° F, ideally until the building is occupied.  If a temporary heat source is used, the temperature should be kept below 95° F and adequate ventilation needs to be provided to allow any humidity to escape. 

For proper finishing of the installed drywall, refer to GA-214 Recommended Levels of Board Finish.

Thin-set mortar products contain quite a bit of moisture that is released as the product dries. This can result in mold. Thin-set mortars should never be used on paper-faced gypsum drywall products.

For tile application, it is suggested to install QuietRock first, then a cement or fiber-based backer board over the QuietRock, then install your tile on the tile backer board. As implied in the question, in parenthesis, QuietRock cannot be installed on wet walls.

Wood or metal lath and plaster presents a challenge when looking for the best way to increase the STC value of the wall.

Traditional (old) lath and plaster walls can vary from as little as 1” thick to over 2” thick. Due to the variability and uncertainty [we can word this more simply if we need to] of lath and plaster walls in terms of rigidity, it is difficult to predict how effective QuietRock will be when it is installed as a retrofit over these types of partitions. While slight changes in wall rigidity–for example, due to the presence of shear panels–do not result in a loss of performance benefit of QuietRock, a large increase in wall rigidity (for thicker lath and plaster) may very well decrease the effectiveness of QuietRock as a sound isolation treatment.

So, when working with lath and plaster walls, our recommended approach is to demolish or remove the existing lath/plaster first, install batt insulation in the cavity, then install 1 layer QuietRock ES.

Installed in the manner described above (making sure to seal all the joints with QuietSeal Pro and using QuietPutty for all electrical, switch or junction boxes), QuietRock should provide an STC improvement for this type of wall.

See the Sound Design Guide for partition design test data.

QuietRock has the same paper surface as standard drywall. Like standard drywall, veneer or traditional plaster finish cannot be applied directly to the surface as it will not adhere properly. For traditional plaster finishes on drywall, it is recommended to install an additional layer of “blue board” panel over the standard drywall or QuietRock or to first apply a bonding agent to the standard drywall panel (or QuietRock), before the first plaster layer. We do not have acoustic testing with plaster over QuietRock, so we do not know if the STC performance of the wall will be affected.

QuietRock ES Mold Resistant inhibits mold and mildew growth and can be used in non-wet areas.  It is not recommended to install it in an area that will receive direct exposure to water or moisture.

Yes. When using QuietRock over existing masonry or concrete construction, it is first necessary to fur it out by attaching wood furring, 2 1/2″ steel studs, or hat-channel.

Footfall noise, or impact noise is structure borne and QuietRock alone will not provide any substantial benefit for this type of noise in most floor/ceiling designs. The best solution is to install RSIC clips to the joists, clip in that channel and attach QuietRock 545 to the channel.

QuietRock 545 is ideal for reducing low frequency airborne noise as well as excellent overall sound transmission reduction.

Yes, QuietRock can be installed as a retrofit over an existing wall.

The type of wall construction and the details associated with how the existing wall is constructed will affect the level of sound reduction that can be achieved by adding a layer of QuietRock.

See The Sound Design Guide for sound test data on retrofit wall assemblies.

Yes, QuietRock can be installed onto hat channel, or drywall furring channel.  They come in different dimensions depending on the weight of the system or panel it is designed to carry. Please note that certain QuietRock panels are heavier than their standard gypsum drywall counterparts. Consult with the manufacturer of the channel to confirm that their product will carry the weight of the wall or ceiling panels that the system will need to support.

QuietRock panel weights can be found on the product pages and datasheets for each product.

It is recommended to install QuietRock vertically to eliminate unbacked horizontally seams.  The panels can also be installed horizontally on walls less than 12 feet in height. If installed horizontally, be sure to fill any seams not backed by a stud with acoustical sealant before finishing

Note: where fire ratings are required, there may be a requirement to install the panels vertically to meet the fire code or UL fire-resistance rated designs for the project.

No, any experienced drywall contractor should be able to install QuietRock as there are only minor differences in how QuietRock installs as compared with standard gypsum panels. See our installation instructions in the document library. And our EZ-Snap Installation video.

Currently, our QuietRock assembly guide only covers wall applications as we do not have extensive acoustical testing for floor/ceiling assemblies.

You have two approaches here and each of the two options will provide a different level of sound reduction:

Option # 1 (GOOD): install (1) layer QuietRock 510 over the existing drywall after first treating any electrical or switch outlets in the wall with QuietPutty. In a retrofit application like this, you would need to cut away some of the existing drywall around the outlets first so the putty can be wrapped around the back of the outlet boxes.

Option #2 (BETTER): First remove existing drywall to the studs, next treat your electrical boxes with QuietPutty as described, then install batt insulation, install Resilient Channels (single-leg RC with long dog bone-type slot pattern in the flange) running horizontally across the wall at 24” OC (on center), then install (1) layer of either ½” QuietRock 510 or 5/8” QuietRock ES on the channel. For both the options above, the panel joints need to be sealed with QuietSeal Pro, or another suitable acoustic sealant.

Note: Actual levels of sound transmission reduced (may vary), and are dependent on a variety of factors besides the wall separating two rooms. Sound transmission through assemblies behaves similarly to water in that it will find the easiest path to get from one place to another. Common acoustically weaker elements in a barrier to look for would be adjacent partition joints such as those between exterior and interior walls, doors, windows, HVAC vents and cold air returns or any unsealed gap or crack in the wall.

QuietRock should be screwed or nailed to the studs when installing over existing drywall. We do not recommend the use of construction or standard drywall adhesives when installing QuietRock as this can negatively affect the panel’s acoustic performance.

Putty pads are 7-1/2” square and will fit metal or plastic, standard 1 or 2 gang electrical boxes. Larger boxes will require a second pad, molded to the first, cover the additional width.  The QuietPutty should be applied around the back of the box, making sure to bring the putty around and to the front edge of the box where it will meet the back of the QuietRock panel when it is installed.

A 28 fl oz tube of QuietSeal Pro applied using 1/4″ bead covers about 88 lineal feet. QuietSeal Pro is applied around the perimeter of the wall.  Measure the perimeter, divide by 88 and round up to the next tube.

According to a recent research study conducted by PABCO gypsum both fiberglass and mineral wood insulation provided 1-4 STC points of improvement over none at all (empty cavity) even across different treatments that were applied to the wall assembly, such as multiple layers of wallboard, QuietRock in multiple configurations, and soundboard.

When resilient channels are applied to one side of the framing, things change significantly. With resilient channels on the framing, the improvement when adding fiberglass or mineral wool, over no insulation at all, was 7-9 STC points.

There was no statistically significant difference between the fiberglass and the mineral wool insulations in any of these assembly types.

QuietRock is not designed for application to curved (radiused) walls. Instead, we suggest using standard 1/4″ flexible drywall sandwiched with QuietGlue Pro to achieve similar acoustical performance to QuietRock. Please consult with a contractor on the proper procedure/approach for wetting and bending standard drywall.

Yes, all of our QuietRock panels have a drywall paper faced front surfaces which can be finished and decorated in the same manner as standard drywall.

QuietRock 545 panel is approved for use in fire-resistance rated designs.  See UL Design Nos. M552, U305, U411, U425 U465, W466, W490.

QuietRock can be finished just like standard drywall panels, finishing practices are the same. Levels of finish are specified depending upon the final decoration to be applied to the partition.  A skim coat is only required when a Level 5 finish is specified.

Electrical outlets must be sealed with QuietPutty to prevent sound leaking through the penetrations. This is best done when the wall is open to the studs before the QuietRock has been installed.

See our installation instructions.

All available QuietRock panel products have a standard gypsum drywall paper face and can be finished just like standard drywall with commonly available drywall tapes and finishing compounds.

QuietSeal Pro’s special formula is designed to stay soft and resistant, preventing noise leakage. QuietSeal Pro is also very low VOC See our VOC Certificate.

QuietRock ES, is a true “score and snap” sound damped drywall panel and installs just like standard gypsum wallboard. (use standard drywall fasteners and standard finishing products). Installation hours and costs to install should be very similar to installing standard drywall.

QuietRock panels can be finished just like standard drywall panels using your preferred primers and paints for interior walls.

Fiberglass batt insulation is recommended for use with QuietRock. According to our testing on wood framed partitions, there is no statistically significant difference in performance between fiberglass batt and “soundproof” mineral wool insulation.

Resilient batt insulation is recommended over blown-in or spray foam insulations. Blown-in insulation will eventually settle and compact into the bottom of the wall leaving large open air spaces in the upper part of the wall untreated.

According to recent testing by the Gypsum Association, spray foam insulation types such as closed cell or Isocyanate-based foams may decrease the sound isolation of the partition, especially for steel-framed assemblies. Expanding foam creates stiffness with very little additional mass, which is generally detrimental to sound isolation performance.

QuietPutty is designed to be molded around the back and sides of electrical boxes before the QuietRock is installed. There should be enough excess on the front that when the QuietRock panel is put in place that it seals to the board.  In retrofit situations, you will need to cut out some of the existing drywall near the outlet box large enough to get your hand and the putt pad in place. Then install the QuietRock over the existing drywall covering up your access hole.

QuietPutty can be used to seal around penetrations for piping, fire sprinklers, etc. This product is not designed for wrapping can or recessed lights in a ceiling due to heat venting from the light unit.

See our installation instructions

QuietRock can be applied to either side of a wall and will provide sound transmission reduction in both directions. However, if at all possible, it is suggested to install QuietRock on the side of the wall with the least number of seams and has the least number of penetrations in the wall.

Our 1/2″ QuietRock 500 and QuietRock 510 products (QR500 sold only at participating Lowe’s stores), have not been tested to meet fire resistance ratings for wall or ceiling application. Our 1/2” products are not recommended for ceiling installation due to potential sagging.

QuietRock can be installed on resilient channels and is effective in certain assemblies. Due to the reliability issues associated with resilient channel, we try to recommend other solutions, when applicable.  See the Sound Design Guide for assemblies with resilient channel and QuietRock.

• If a wall partition was fire tested without insulation, it may be added to the stud cavity. But, if it was tested with insulation, it may not be omitted. 
• If a floor/ceiling was tested without insulation, it may be added, however, an additional layer of the equivalent gypsum panel must also be added. But, if insulation was included in the test, it may not be omitted. 
• The thickness and depth of the studs may be increased. 
• The stud spacing and fastener spacing may be decreased. 
• A thicker panel of the same core type may be substituted, for example 5/8” type C for 1/2” type C. 
• Same thickness type C may be substituted for type X, but type X may not be substituted for type C. 
• Wood structural panels may be added to one or both sides of the studs, either under or on top of the required gypsum panels. 
• Additional layers of gypsum panels can be added to one or both sides of the studs, either under or on top of the required gypsum panels. 

QuietRock 545 panel is approved for use in fire-resistance rated designs.  See UL Design Nos. M552, U305, U411, U425 U465, W466, W490.

Type X gypsum panels are specifically defined in ASTM Standards.  Any gypsum panel product that is certified as a “type X” has passed a one-hour ASTM E119 fire test when applied to a very specific assembly. 

While there is not a formal definition for type C within ASTM, gypsum panels labeled as “type C” have passed the same testing criteria for type X, as well as an additional and more severe E119 fire test. 

In short, a type C gypsum panel is a type X gypsum panel with enhanced fire resistance. 

Technically, this is an ambiguous question.  A rating is a classification or determination of performance against given criteria.  For gypsum panel products, there are 3 tests to which they are fire rated or classified. 

1. Fire-Resistance – Fire resistance is defined as the ability to withstand fire or give protection from it for a period of time.  As applied to elements of buildings, fire resistance is characterized by the ability to confine a fire or to continue to perform a given structural function, or both.
   ASTM E119 is the standard test method to determine fire-resistance and provide a fire-resistance rating.
2. Flammability – For our purposes, flammability is defined as being capable of burning with a flame under specified conditions.
   ASTM E84 is the standard test method to determine surface burning, specifically flame spread and smoke development.  This provides a flammability class of A, B, or C.
3. Combustibility – Building materials are considered combustible if they are capable of oxidation that occurs at a rate fast enough to produce a temperature rise along with a glow or flame in air at pressures and temperatures that might occur during a fire in a building.
   ASTM E136 is the standard method to determine combustibility.  This classifies products as non-combustible.

Important to note–E84 and E136 are product tests, meaning the individual product is tested and classified.  However, E119 is an assembly test, meaning to achieve the given fire-resistance rating, the assembly must be constructed as tested.  In other words, gypsum panels are not given a resistance rating, assemblies are. 

Factors affecting fire resistance and sound control may not always work cooperatively to improve performance.  The two major opposing factors are stud spacing and fastener spacing.  While narrow stud spacing may improve fire performance, it could decrease sound performance.  Likewise, reducing fastener spacing (8” o.c. versus 12” o.c.) on the applied gypsum panels can help improve fire performance while possibly negatively affecting sound performance. Steel stud mil thickness will also inversely affect fire and sound.  Where increasing the mil thickness may improved fire performance, it may decrease the acoustic performance; the opposite is also true.

Insulation is a tricky one, while it can improve sound performance, it can have varying effects on fire performance, depending on the assembly.

There are a few steps however that will positively affect both fire and sound, such as, using deeper studs, and increasing the air gap in double framed walls.

Please take a look at these resources:

The Sound Design Guide

The Gypsum Association’s GA-600 Fire Resistance and Sound Control Design Manual

UL Product iQ CKNX.R7094 PABCO Gypsum Board

All PABCO® and QuietRock® products are manufactured from natural gypsum ore.

Gauge is a traditional reference intended to describe the thickness of steel. In the case of steel studs, and the advent of “EQ” studs, gauge has moved further from a metric related to thickness as today’s drywall studs are formed from lighter, stronger, thinner steel that is manufactured to meet the same minimum performance and specifications of traditional thicknesses.  

Mil thickness, however, is an actual dimension, 1/1000^th of an inch. 

With regards to fire, acoustic, and structural performances, mil thickness is more impactful than gauge since a 20-gauge stud can range from 18 mil to 33 mil, for example. 

Yes, we recommend using QuietSeal Pro with QuietRock for maximum acoustic performance, but QuietSeal Pro can be used in any indoor application to prevent noise leaks.

Wall mounted lights and track lights are better options. Any large opening in a wall and or ceiling may allow flanking noise to transfer through. In a situation where pot lights are mandatory, one option would be to build a box of QuietRock around the back and surround the pot light. Make sure to contact the manufacturer of the pot lights to confirm that heat and fire hazards would not be an issue.

Yes, QuietRock can be installed onto hat channel, or drywall furring channel.  They come in different dimensions depending on the weight of the system or panel it is designed to carry. Please note that certain QuietRock panels are heavier than their standard gypsum drywall counterparts. Consult with the manufacturer of the channel to confirm that their product will carry the weight of the wall or ceiling panels that the system will need to support.

QuietRock panel weights can be found on the product pages and datasheets for each product.

It is recommended to install QuietRock vertically to eliminate unbacked horizontally seams.  The panels can also be installed horizontally on walls less than 12 feet in height. If installed horizontally, be sure to fill any seams not backed by a stud with acoustical sealant before finishing

Note: where fire ratings are required, there may be a requirement to install the panels vertically to meet the fire code or UL fire-resistance rated designs for the project.

No, none of our QuietRock products contain asbestos. For more information on the materials used and contained in our QuietRock products, please refer to the Safety Data Sheets (SDS) located in our documentation library

No, any experienced drywall contractor should be able to install QuietRock as there are only minor differences in how QuietRock installs as compared with standard gypsum panels. See our installation instructions in the document library. And our EZ-Snap Installation video.

PABCO Gypsum does not make estimates or recommendations related to product performance without involving an appropriate third party such as an acoustical engineer.

Most of our QuietRock panels should have no effect on Wi-Fi or cellular in a house. There are a few exceptions to this. Two of our panels, the QuietRock 530 and QuietRock 545 do contain a layer of steel in the panel which may interfere with Wi-Fi or cellular signals.

QuietRock will reduce the transmission of airborne noise through a wall or floor/ceiling assembly. Reducing sound echo inside a space is a different classification of products aimed at sound absorption. Because QuietRock is a gypsum faced product, it is likely to have the same absorption characteristics as any gypsum drywall panel.

Yes. QuietRock® 545 is engineered with added mass for low-frequency attenuation and provides sound isolation across a broad frequency range, including both high and low frequencies. It is designed for applications where low-frequency sound and vibration require sound isolation.

You have two approaches here and each of the two options will provide a different level of sound reduction:

Option # 1 (GOOD): install (1) layer QuietRock 510 over the existing drywall after first treating any electrical or switch outlets in the wall with QuietPutty. In a retrofit application like this, you would need to cut away some of the existing drywall around the outlets first so the putty can be wrapped around the back of the outlet boxes.

Option #2 (BETTER): First remove existing drywall to the studs, next treat your electrical boxes with QuietPutty as described, then install batt insulation, install Resilient Channels (single-leg RC with long dog bone-type slot pattern in the flange) running horizontally across the wall at 24” OC (on center), then install (1) layer of either ½” QuietRock 510 or 5/8” QuietRock ES on the channel. For both the options above, the panel joints need to be sealed with QuietSeal Pro, or another suitable acoustic sealant.

Note: Actual levels of sound transmission reduced (may vary), and are dependent on a variety of factors besides the wall separating two rooms. Sound transmission through assemblies behaves similarly to water in that it will find the easiest path to get from one place to another. Common acoustically weaker elements in a barrier to look for would be adjacent partition joints such as those between exterior and interior walls, doors, windows, HVAC vents and cold air returns or any unsealed gap or crack in the wall.

QuietPutty® is designed for use with QuietRock® sound-reducing drywall and QuietSeal® Pro acoustical sealant as part of the complete Quiet® Sound Damping System. QuietPutty provides an acoustic seal around wall and ceiling penetrations, while QuietSeal Pro is used around wall perimeters to help prevent noise leaks.

QuietSeal® Pro is designed for use with QuietRock® sound-reducing drywall to help maintain the acoustic performance of the wall assembly by sealing around wall perimeters and helping prevent noise leaks. QuietSeal Pro, QuietRock® sound-reducing drywall, and QuietPutty® acoustical putty are components of the complete Quiet® Sound Damping System.

QuietCoat® can be applied using a brush, roller, air gun, or airless sprayer. It is a water-based coating that allows cleanup with water.

Two 28oz tubed is recommended for application to 4×8’ up to 4×12’ material. Use of more than 2 tubes is not recommended and will only cause the QuietGlue Pro to ooze out of your lamination.

Please see our QuietGlue Pro Application Instructions.

Yes. QuietRock® 530RF is approved for SCIF applications, with RF shielding tested in accordance with IEEE-STD-299. QuietRock 530RF is a key component of the QuietRF® System, which also includes QuietSeam® RF and QuietRF Tape. The complete system is required to achieve RF shielding.

QuietCoat® is used to reduce noise and vibration in applications such as HVAC ducts, machinery, metal roofing, appliances, vehicles, and metal framing. It can be applied to porous and nonporous metal surfaces and other compatible materials where vibration damping is needed.

QuietCoat® 118 is a viscoelastic acoustical coating designed to reduce noise and vibration in metal, plastic, and composite materials. Part of the Quiet® family of sound control products, QuietCoat can be applied to surfaces including stainless steel, galvanized iron, aluminum, and reinforced plastic materials.

QuietPutty® is used to acoustically seal penetrations in wall and ceiling assemblies, including electrical outlet boxes, rocker switches, HVAC ducts, water hookups, and cable systems. It remains soft with minimal shrinkage to help provide a long-lasting acoustic seal.

QuietPutty® is a Class A fire-resistant acoustical putty designed to help preserve the acoustic performance of STC-rated wall and ceiling assemblies. It is used to provide an acoustic seal around electrical outlet boxes, switches, HVAC ducts, water hookups, cable systems, and other wall or ceiling penetrations.

QuietRock 510 is a 1/2-inch sound-reducing drywall panel for residential new construction and remodeling. It provides sound control in a single gypsum panel and can also be installed over existing walls without demolition.

QuietRock® 530 is a 5/8-inch sound-reducing drywall panel that combines high-performance sound control with added shear and impact resistance. Part of the Quiet® family of sound control products, QuietRock 530 is designed for load-bearing and non-load-bearing assemblies and high-traffic applications where acoustic performance and durability are priorities.

QuietRock® 530RF is a 5/8-inch sound-reducing drywall panel with radio frequency (RF) shielding designed for high-security applications. Part of the Quiet® family of sound control products and a key component of the QuietRF® System, it combines sound control, RF shielding, fire resistance, and impact resistance in a single panel and can provide added shear resistance.

QuietRock® 545 is a 1-3/8-inch sound-reducing drywall panel engineered to provide maximum sound isolation across a broad frequency range, including low-frequency sound. Part of the Quiet® family of sound control products, QuietRock 545 is designed for demanding acoustic applications such as commercial theaters, studios, performance spaces, and music rooms.

QuietRock® EZ-SNAP® Mold Resistant (ES MR) is a 5/8-inch mold-resistant, sound-reducing Type X drywall panel designed for applications where both sound control and mold resistance are required. Part of the Quiet® family of sound control products, it features patented EZ-SNAP® technology for easy score-and-snap installation and provides added mold resistance for mold-sensitive applications.

QuietRock® EZ-SNAP® is a 5/8-inch sound-reducing Type X drywall panel designed for residential, commercial, and institutional sound control applications. Part of the Quiet® family of sound control products, it features patented EZ-SNAP technology that allows installers to easily score and snap the panel while delivering high acoustic performance.

QuietSeal® Pro is applied around wall perimeters to help prevent noise leaks that can reduce the acoustic performance of a wall assembly. It also provides a draft and cold-smoke seal in addition to noise sealing.

QuietSeal® Pro is a high-performance, non-hardening acoustical sealant designed to help optimize the acoustic performance of STC-rated wall assemblies. Applied around wall perimeters, QuietSeal Pro helps prevent noise leaks and remains soft to help maintain long-lasting acoustic performance.

QuietRock® 530 and QuietRock® 530RF provide sound control, impact resistance, and added shear resistance. QuietRock 530RF adds radio frequency (RF) shielding capabilities and is a key component of the complete QuietRF® System for applications requiring RF shielding.

QuietRock® ES and QuietRock® ES MR are 5/8-inch Type X sound-reducing drywall panels that feature patented EZ-SNAP® technology. QuietRock ES MR provides the same core benefits of QuietRock ES with added mold resistance for mold-sensitive applications.

Fiberglass batt insulation is recommended for use with QuietRock. According to our testing on wood framed partitions, there is no statistically significant difference in performance between fiberglass batt and “soundproof” mineral wool insulation.

Resilient batt insulation is recommended over blown-in or spray foam insulations. Blown-in insulation will eventually settle and compact into the bottom of the wall leaving large open air spaces in the upper part of the wall untreated.

According to recent testing by the Gypsum Association, spray foam insulation types such as closed cell or Isocyanate-based foams may decrease the sound isolation of the partition, especially for steel-framed assemblies. Expanding foam creates stiffness with very little additional mass, which is generally detrimental to sound isolation performance.

QuietRock is manufactured in the USA at our plant in Newark, California.

QuietRock® 530 is designed for applications requiring sound control with added shear and impact resistance. It can be used in load-bearing and non-load-bearing assemblies and in high-traffic areas prone to impact and penetration, including schools, hospitals, and correctional facilities.

QuietRock® 545 is ideal for applications where high levels of sound isolation and low-frequency sound mitigation are important, including high-end home theaters, commercial theaters, studios, performance spaces, music rooms, and mechanical rooms.

QuietSeal Pro has been tested for and exceeds the specifications listed by ASTM C834 for Type O class -18C Latex sealant (Standard test for latex sealants) and achieved a class A rating per ASTM E84 (Surface burning characteristics/flame spread test).

Electrical outlet boxes and other wall penetrations require an acoustic seal to help preserve the acoustic performance of an STC-rated assembly. QuietPutty® is designed for use around electrical outlet boxes and other penetrations and remains soft with minimal shrinkage to help provide a long-lasting acoustic seal.

Our 1/2″ QuietRock 500 and QuietRock 510 products (QR500 sold only at participating Lowe’s stores), have not been tested to meet fire resistance ratings for wall or ceiling application. Our 1/2” products are not recommended for ceiling installation due to potential sagging.

QuietRock can be installed on resilient channels and is effective in certain assemblies. Due to the reliability issues associated with resilient channel, we try to recommend other solutions, when applicable.  See the Sound Design Guide for assemblies with resilient channel and QuietRock.

Unlike “decoupled” approaches such as resilient channel (RC) or sound clip systems (RSIC clips), QuietRock performance is not likely to be affected by attaching shelves, TV’s or other fastened items to the wall. This is because QuietRock technology uses a different approach to attenuating sound.

Access our Sustainability Documentation easily in our Document Library.

You can find them in our Documents Library or from the links below:

• PABCO Gypsum Products Limited Warranty
• PABCO GLASS® Interior Limited Warranty
• PABCO GLASS® Exterior Sheathing Limited Warranty
• PABCO GLASS® Shaftliner Limited Warranty
• QuietRock Products Limited Warranty