In multi-family construction, managing noise between units is crucial. As building codes evolve to address sound control, the need for reliable solutions has become more urgent. One common issue is how sound, especially airborne noise like human speech or TV sound, travels through walls and ceilings. While many products and techniques help reduce noise, shortcuts in construction can compromise the effectiveness of even the best systems.
This is where Keene Building Products’ Space Assurance comes into play. Designed to simplify installation while maintaining performance, Space Assurance helps eliminate common mistakes that can lead to increased noise transmission, providing a smarter approach to sound control.
What Makes Space Assurance Essential?
Space Assurance is a 4-inch wide, non-combustible polyester strip that simplifies the often tedious process of ensuring proper spacing between walls and ceilings. The product is installed along the top plate of a wall, and its compressible material creates the perfect 1/8-inch gap between the ceiling and wallboard. This eliminates the need for caulking, which can be expensive and time-consuming, while still maintaining the required space to prevent noise from traveling between units.
By using Space Assurance, contractors can easily create the proper gap without worrying about air leakage or sound flanking, which is a major source of noise issues in multi-family buildings.
The Problem of Shortcuts in Noise Control
In the past, contractors would have to leave a gap between the wall and ceiling and then fill it with acoustical caulk. While effective, this approach is time-consuming and error-prone. Skipping this step or failing to caulk properly can lead to gaps that allow sound to travel more easily between units. With Space Assurance, this step is streamlined. The fabric fills the gap while maintaining the necessary spacing, simplifying installation and reducing the likelihood of mistakes.
A Smart Solution for Multi-Family Projects
Keene Building Products’ Space Assurance is ideal for multi-family construction, including apartments and condominiums. It can be used in both wood and metal frame construction and works well with one or two layers of gypsum board for ceilings or walls. The product proactively prevents noise issues by creating the necessary space between the gypsum ceiling and walls, removing the need for caulking while maintaining easy inspection and proper installation.
Features and Benefits of Space Assurance
- Proactively creates proper spacing between gypsum ceiling and walls.
- Eliminates the need for caulking, saving both time and money.
- Quick and simple installation, making it easy for contractors to get it right the first time.
- Prevents flanking noise, a common issue in multi-family buildings.
- Only UL-listed joint assembly with a gap, ensuring compliance with safety and building codes.
Building Smarter, Not Harder
Noise control in multi-family construction is more important than ever as higher-density living becomes more common. With products like Space Assurance, Keene Building Products is helping contractors and designers create better buildings without the need for shortcuts. By simplifying installation and maintaining soundproofing performance, Space Assurance helps ensure that units remain peaceful and quiet, even in busy multi-family environments.
If you’re looking for a reliable solution to manage noise transmission while speeding up the construction process, Space Assurance is the smart choice.
