How MF Ceilings Help Soundproof A Room

A metal furring (MF) ceiling is a great way to create a clean finish on ceilings. However, just like with stud walls, simply having a nice finish isn’t enough. For a building to not only look great but function well, you need to ensure that soundproofing between rooms is up to scratch, both on the same level and above and below.

As an MF ceiling isn’t the only way to finish a room, factors like acoustic protection come into play when deciding the right approach to a space. Here we break down how to ensure your MF ceiling delivers in every aspect for your project.

Are MF Ceilings Soundproof?

Yes, MF ceilings tend to be well soundproofed. The system itself provides a small amount of soundproofing but, crucially, the structure allows for plenty of soundproofing products to be added.

An MF ceiling is a suspended ceiling system made from galvanised steel channels and plasterboard. MF ceilings are commonly used in commercial and residential projects because they create a smooth finish while providing space for services, insulation and acoustic treatments.

Whenever talking about soundproofing, it’s important to remember how sound travels. It doesn’t float through like air, but instead travels as a wave of vibration. Soundproofing is usually concerned with stopping the movement of sound from one space to another – that’s slightly different from sound absorption, which is about stopping noise spreading in the same space and needs different solutions.

To stop sound from passing from one space to another, walls and ceilings can use a combination of three main techniques:

• Blocking: A thick, heavy mass (like a brick wall) will reflect some of the sound.
• Absorption: Softer barriers, such as insulation, act as dampeners and slow down sound vibrations.
• Decoupling: Because vibrations travel best through solid objects, having two objects cleanly separated makes it harder for the sound to travel.

A basic MF ceiling offers some blocking and decoupling benefits as you’re putting one plasterboard wall in front of another. However, with additional extras, a completed MF ceiling can benefit from each of these techniques to provide a high level of soundproofing.

How to Make Your MF Ceiling More Soundproof

If soundproofing is key to your property, these three pieces of kit should be on your list when getting materials for your MF ceiling:

• Acoustic Ceiling Hangers
• Soundproof Insulation
• Soundproof Plasterboard

Acoustic Ceiling Hangers

Acoustic ceiling hangers are a simple piece of kit but are vital in making MF ceilings more soundproof.

A normal MF17 ceiling hanger angle is a simple strip of metal that connects the metal frame to the soffit (or original ceiling) above. While this does the job as far as the MF ceiling’s structure is concerned, it inadvertently provides a solid structure through which sound can travel.

An acoustic hanger solves this problem by adding a sound-absorbing material to the connection, usually a small piece of rubber. This bit of rubber not only absorbs some of the soundwaves as they try to pass through but allows an additional bit of separation between the MF ceiling and the original roof. It’s a small upgrade that can make a big difference.

Soundproof Insulation

Insulation for walls and ceilings comes in many forms, and some are more soundproof than others. Thin insulating materials like polystyrene are good for saving space, but their density makes them weak at stopping sound.

Soundproof insulation is specifically designed to offer the best of both worlds. It is often made of soft materials with multiple layers, like wool, that offers both heat retention and also lots of gaps that sound struggles to pass through. If soundproofing is important for your MF ceiling, consider installing this at the same time.

Soundproof Plasterboard

Just as with insulation, what plasterboard you choose to use with your MF ceiling can also impact its sound resistance. Soundproof plasterboard – commonly called sound plasterboard or blue plasterboard – is not enough to soundproof a space on its own but provides another layer of protection as part of a complete system.

Sound plasterboard differs from regular plasterboard through its density – it often has a very dense core, which allows the plasterboard to both dampen and provide a barrier to sound passing through.

When combining soundproof plasterboard, insulation and acoustic hangers into an MF ceiling system, you can be confident that it will reach most soundproofing regulations requirements. If you’re in any doubt, it’s best to speak to a qualified engineer before work takes place.

Whether you're building a commercial fit-out, office refurbishment or residential conversion, Fastbuild Supplies stocks everything you need for an acoustic MF ceiling system. From MF17 channels and acoustic hangers to soundproof insulation and acoustic plasterboard, we can help you build a ceiling that meets both performance and compliance requirements.