Hush Acoustics launches acoustically-insulating underfloor heating carrier board

Hush Acoustics has launched Hush Therm 25, a next generation dry screed routed floor panel which offers enhanced sound reduction in floors featuring hydronic (wet) underfloor heating (UFH) systems.

Engineered for superior thermal efficiency, fast installation and excellent sound control, Hush Therm is a pre routed, high mass gypsum fibre board, purpose designed to accommodate 16 or 18mm underfloor heating pipes. Delivering class leading thermal output and acoustic performance, it is also lightweight for easy handling and installation, and features 150mm pipe spacing for full occupancy in a board size of 1000mm x 500mm.

Key to Hush Therm’s effectiveness at reducing sound transmission is its 23-27 kg/m² mass and an integrated 5mm Hush FFR Resilient Underlay layer bonded to the board’s underside.

The gypsum fibre composition of the carrier board is much more effective at blocking airborne sound transmission through separating floors than materials such as standard chipboard or routed XPS carrier boards. And the FFR resilient rubber layer absorbs impact sounds transmitting through the floor in the form of vibration.

Hence why Hush Therm allows for the creation of an efficient UFH system, with built in pipe channels milled to a depth of 18mm for Hush Therm 25 to allow for quick installation and consistent heat transfer. A thinner version is also available for projects where the UFH system features 12mm UFH pipes, Hush Therm 18.

When combined with a 10mm Hush Therm topper board, Hush Therm 25 and Hush Therm 18 form a complete integrated solution suitable for domestic, residential, commercial, educational, healthcare and leisure environments. It is ideal for use in multi storey buildings, particularly apartments, where the separating floor performance must continue to be compliant with the minimum acoustic standards stipulated in the building regulations, but it can also be used in the separating floors of individual homes to prevent noise issues.

In testing, a system approach using a Hush Therm 25 board achieved a sound reduction level of 49 dB L’n, w (CI) for impact sound and 71 dB Rw (C;Ctr) for airborne. Here, a 10mm gypsum fibre overlay board was used over Hush Therm 25, both of which were laid over a timber joisted floor featuring a 15mm OSB subfloor, Hush Slab absorber slabs infilling the voids and a ceiling system installed below. The test data illustrates how effective the system can be in enabling UFH projects to meet strict acoustic standards without compromising heat output.

The gypsum fibre composition of Hush Therm 25 means that it has a fire classification of A2 non-combustible (DIN EN 13501-1), and its performance is confirmed by a European Technical Assessment ETA-03/0050. It is also suitable for use in wet rooms with a rating of W0-I and W1-I in accordance with DIN 18534.

The launch of Hush Therm 25 reflects Hush Acoustics’ commitment to designing integrated systems that deliver exceptional sound control without compromising heating efficiency. In addition, using this solution means installation of the UFH can be streamlined, with minimal build up height and measurable acoustic benefits, making it an ideal choice for forward thinking developers and specifiers.

The Hush Therm 25 Underfloor Heating Board is available now through Hush Acoustics and approved distributors. Technical support, CAD details, datasheets, and installation guidance are available from the company’s specialist team, details of which can be found at www.hushacoustics.co.uk.