Sound Performance You Can Hear, Not See

Why is there a need for acoustic drywall?

As the industry and building methods evolve, so must the building products designed to fit the new desires of design and building requirements. USG treats continuous improvement as a responsibility to our customers and our history as innovators. In this way, USG is always looking towards the horizon to identify new opportunities in the industry in response to changing trends and customer feedback.

So why is there a need for acoustic drywall? Because the industry desires it.

USG Ensemble® Acoustical Drywall Ceiling

USG developed Ensemble® Acoustic Drywall to achieve the seamless appearance of acoustic plaster with the ease of installation of standard drywall and ceiling grid. But the company would not have reached that conclusion without first understanding the unique needs of its customers.

Customer feedback indicated that the monolithic appearance of acoustic plaster was highly desired in projects that emphasized acoustic performance, despite its specialized installation requirements. USG took the challenge of developing a solution, drawing on the company’s roots as innovators in drywall and the inventors of the iconic Sheetrock® Brand.

Once it was introduced, the Ensemble® system represented a breakthrough solution from the industry leader in gypsum, delivering the seamless look of drywall with the acoustic performance of tile-and-grid systems. This innovative system utilizes core USG product technologies, bringing together different perspectives across the company, to maximize NRC, CAC, and light reflectance (LR) performance for interior ceilings or walls.

But the innovation does not end there; USG continues to keep an eye on the future and has developed a new product for the Ensemble® system that addresses a unique challenge in the built environment.

Designing for Return Air Plenum

When a space uses the ceiling plenum as the primary method for return air (i.e. non-ducted return) special consideration must be given to seal areas prone to air leakage. Return air should only flow through dedicated return air openings rather than through other ceiling fixtures or the ceiling system itself.

Air leaks through the ceiling system can cause localized soiling or discoloration due to dust and other impurities depositing around areas prone to leakage. Even when a space uses a fully ducted return air system, there can be other environmental factors that may cause differential pressure between the plenum space above the ceiling and the occupied space below, leading to air flow through the ceiling system. As such, it’s important to consider all mechanical, environmental, and project-specific conditions when designing a ceiling solution.

Many competitors offer solutions to return air plenum, but only through additional components that further complicate the system. USG recognized this need for a specialty product appropriate for return air plenum applications and developed the USG Ensemble® RAP Acoustical Drywall Ceiling.

The new Ensemble® RAP system is specifically designed for wall-to-wall ceilings using non-ducted HVAC returns and new or retrofit construction using the USG Drywall Suspension System. Utilizing a film backer, this system prevents air flow from passing through the ceiling system while maximizing NRC and CAC performance, providing the appearance of seamless acoustic plaster with the performance of tile and grid ceilings.

Any project can gain newfound flexibility to add a fully sealed return air plenum with the Ensemble® RAP system; resist the passage of air, eliminate soiling, and restrict airflow to intended mechanical openings without having to specify additional system components.

The USG Solution

Keeping open lines of communication between architects and contractors has allowed USG to remain at the forefront of emerging challenges and trends. USG also differentiates itself from competitors by offering an all-encompassing approach to collaboration throughout each stage of a project and seeks to be a true partner in the process, from the design phase through installation on the jobsite.

Whether you are building for airports, educational facilities, or healthcare environments, the Ensemble® portfolio can achieve an elegant, smooth, and monolithic appearance with acute acoustic control for high-end applications, all backed by USG's design and engineering expertise, a certified installer and sales support network, and full system warranty.

Regardless of which Ensemble system you select, the following factors remain constant: a classic, monolithic drywall finish and sound performance that you can hear, not see. So, stop compromising on aesthetics and acoustic control and eliminate distracting gridlines with Ensemble® Acoustical Drywall Ceiling and Ensemble® RAP Acoustical Drywall Ceiling.

Learn more here.