What is Resilient Channel? Best Uses, Sizes, Installation Process

Resilient channels sometimes referred to as RC or Z Channel, are some of the most common components installed in projects requiring additional sound insulation. RC also provides a significant improvement in the separation of structurally transmitted noise in walls.

Over the past two decades, we have found in both industrial and commercial environments that resistant channels are installed correctly in the field less often than not, resulting in poor acoustic performance.

Mass Loaded Vinyl, on the other hand, increases the STC by separating the drywall from the studs with a thin, flexible layer, but also by adding mass to the wall, which further improves the STC (up to 3-4 additional layers of plaster).

Essentially, resilient channels help you create a room within a room that is separate from the building structure. So if you want to know where you can get the best resilient channel and how you can install them, I will explain it all in this article.

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What is Resilient Channel?

Resilient Channels are a low-cost way to reduce sound transmission between walls and ceilings. When sound waves pass through walls and ceilings, the sound waves are attenuated because they create a special distance between the wall and the insulation.

After all, when it comes to soundproofing, separation is one of the main tools you have under you. However, it can be one of the hardest ones to wrap your head around.

Screwing drywall directly to the wall and ceiling studs would cause more vibration transfer into the room. Instead, you can attach the resilient channel to the to wall or ceiling studs and top them with drywall.

This should theoretically cause a significant reduction in impact noise entering the room. You know, there are four principles of sound insulation:

#1 Absorption: Absorption is achieved using dense and soft materials. That’s why I’m adamant about filling rooms with soft furnishings, and why acoustic foam works. But as you know, absorbing materials usually only slightly reduces the sound.

#2 Mass: Mass further reduces sound and, combined with density, even blocks it. This is why Loaded Vinyl is so useful.

#3 Damping Materials: The damping materials are also very dense, so they serve to reduce vibrations. This is what the Green Glue drywall sandwich technique is all about.

#4 Installation: Finally, separation allows you to create gaps in the path of sound waves. We know that wooden buildings and air are often the main means of transport for the noise that surrounds us.

Therefore, it is very important to limit the surfaces through which the vibrations can pass. Resilient channels allow us to create an air pocket between the studs and the drywall.

Standard Features of Resilient Channel

No matter how great your defenses against airborne noise are, the noise of an impact will still rock your world. Resilient Channels are one of the most effective solutions to this problem.

Some common features of the Resilient Channel Soundproofing are listed below;

• Lab-certified, STC-rated up to 54.

• Designed for wall applications only.

• Single leg channel is used in wall applications and occasionally installed on ceilings containing a single layer of gypsum board.

• Channel dimensions: 1-1/4″ x 12′.

• Additional packaging and handling charges may be required.

Advantages of Resilient Channel

1. Superior Soundproofing: Resilient Channel excels at reducing airborne and impact noise transmission. They are particularly effective in scenarios where noise from adjacent rooms, outside sources, or mechanical equipment needs to be minimized.

2. Versatility In Application: This channel has a variety of applications, including residential, commercial, and industrial spaces.

3. Ease of Installation: Installing this channel is most commonly straightforward. They can be attached to wood or steel framing before being attached to the surface material, making them a practical choice for both renovations and new construction.

4. Cost-effective Noise Control: Compared to other soundproofing methods these channels offer low-budget noise control. They provide a significant improvement in acoustic isolation without the need for extensive, costly renovation.

5. Minimum space: Resilient Channel thickness is minimal to add to the wall or ceiling, ensuring that valuable space within the room is not compromised.

How Effective are Resilient Channel

If Resilient Channel weren’t effective, I wouldn’t recommend them. However, I believe it is important to know the capabilities of soundproofing materials that I suggest here.

Resilient channel dimensions come in two forms. When most people talk about resilient channels, they mean the ones with one leg. However, there are also two-legged channels as well as hat channels.

Although two-legged channels are similar in shape to hat channels, there is one major difference between them. Namely, single-leg and two-leg channels have pre-drilled holes to screw into the pins, while hat channels rely on sound clips to hold them in place.

Many people find the hat channel and sound clip technique better than using these channels. But I’ll tell you all about that in a moment. You will even be able to see what all these products look like when I review them later in this article.

So now we know that the resilient channels are screwed directly into the wooden studs, while the hat channels are just slotted into the sound clips. However, you can have one row of screws or two parallel rows between these two types of channels.

Therefore, the channel on one leg would be more unstable and bear the brunt of the impact vibrations. However, if you don’t want to have this type of unstable connection between the interior drywall and the solid wood structure of the room, you may want to look into double-leg resilient channels.

Types of Resilient Channel

There are mainly two types of channels and they are commonly called Resilient Channel 1 (RC1) and Resilient Channel 2 (RC2).

1. Resilient Channel 1: RC1 is a single-legged resilient channel. If I want to say about Soundproofing benefits RC1 is slightly better.

This is why the RC1 channel because it has just one leg, has a lesser surface area in contact with the wooden stud it is screwed on. That means there is a lesser chance of sound vibration traveling through the studs.

2. Resilient Channel 2: RC2 is the two-legged resilient channel. Due to the having two legs, RC2 can handle more mass.

If you decide to add two drywall layers with a channel in between, your contractor is probably going to recommend an RC deluxe resilient channel RC2 rather than the RC 1 channel.

Sizes of Resilient Channel

When you want to buy resilient channels at Home Depot In terms of dimensions you should pay attention to resilient channel sizes.

This is actually where you will see the significant difference between single-legged and two-legged channels. The resilient channels with one and two legs are only about half an inch deep. So this is approximately the distance you will have between the studs and the drywall.

Hat channels, on the other hand, are usually about an inch deep. Additionally, this space can result in even less noise entering your room.

Most products of this type that I have seen are about 8 feet long. This should be long enough to cover the wall or ceiling. However, if you need to, you can also cut the channel on the stud and connect another channel to it to get more length.

The Most Common Problem with Resilient Channel

The most common cause of failure of this system to meet performance specifications is lack of proper field installation. This channel is often installed by the same drywall hanging team that does the rest of the rc for drywall installation to reduce costs and shorten the schedule.

Without a professional who is very well versed in this, it is easy to run into the following problems. Installing resilient channels can also be tricky and if not done correctly can short out the connection between the drywall and the studs.

Resilient channels do not yet have any industry standard specifications as they are not specified by the Steel Stud Manufacturers Association. This means that there are many inferior products on the market.

Unless your supplier knows of a reputable brand of resilient channels and has not used them successfully before, I would not recommend using rc for drywall ceilings.

On the other hand, a big advantage of using of these channels over its alternatives is that it is inexpensive. However, if you ask me, it’s worth spending a little more and having the peace of mind that you’re installing a high-quality product.

Best Resilient Channel

As I said, many of these names should be familiar. You may know Auralex Acoustics as the manufacturer of one of the bass traps I wrote about recently. However, they also make excellent channels.

This Auralex 25 Metal resilient channel comes in a pack of 24. Each channel is 8 feet long, but you can trim the excess with metal scissors and join in another channel as I mentioned. But this is not the only one-legged channel.

Trademark Soundproofing the company you may know as the maker of MLV has also come up with its channel. Their single-leg channels are also 8 feet long but come in a pack of 32. They are more affordable than the previous product but also have fewer reviews, so make of that what you will.

Alternatives to the Resilient Channel

So let’s take a look at the alternatives and see how effective they can be at sound deadening.

Believe it or not, many of the resilient channels on the market are essentially the same thing. They are all made of 25 gauge steel and look about the same. And as I said, there are one-leg and two-leg channels, not many other kinds.

1. Sound Clips

This is probably the best alternative to resilient channels. When used in conjunction with the furring channel, they provide an STC increase of 15-17 points.

In terms of performance, they provide better sound insulation than resilient channels and are better sound non-conductors.

You attach sound clips to the pins and they will usually also have a rubber component to further isolate the sound.

2. Hat or Furring Channels

Hat or Furring channels are widely used by masons to level uneven ceilings – hence the name Furring channel. “Furr” means “to bring up”.

Hat channels mainly consist of two sizes – ⅞” and 1-½”.

Because they raise the level to get a flat surface, the channel also separates the drywall from the stud, so it’s also used in soundproofing applications.

You will find that most flexible furring strips or hat channels are pre-punched and can easily be screwed onto existing studs.

Where to Buy Resilient Channel

I hope I’ve answered the question of whether it’s worth getting sound clips and hat channels over resilient channels. Ultimately, I don’t think the difference is significant enough to pull you into one camp over the other.

That’s all well and good. But where can you find all these products if you want to install them in your home?

I suppose your first stop might be your local hardware or home improvement stores. However, in my experience, you would have a much larger variety of products available online.

I understand that many people still have doubts about online shopping platforms. However, if you buy from safe sites like Flipkart, and Amazon they have reliable shipping times and customer service representatives very good.

In addition, I prefer to shop online because it gives me a clear view of what I am getting. All product dimensions are in the description and I will tell you that user reviews have no influence.

The Installation Process of Resilient Channel

Installing these channels can significantly reduce vibrations that travel through the wall or ceiling. It is one of the most effective techniques for soundproofing your ceiling if your upstairs neighbors like to choreograph their dance act right in their apartment.

However, if you don’t install the channel properly or worse, install the drywall incorrectly, the entire project becomes useless. Here we provide step by step resilient channels installation guide on how to do it.

Step 1: Get to the Studs

If you want to cut corners, you can screw these channels into your existing drywall. But to do it right, you’d have to take down the drywall and start at the studs.

Step 2: Prepare the Space

Before Installing the channel, first ensure that the framing is neat clean and free from any debris. This provides a solid foundation for attaching the channel properly.

Step 3: Measure and Cut

Measure the required length for each channel and cut them accordingly. Use a saw or metal cutters to get accurate measurements.

Step 4: Attach the Channels

Securely screwed the channel horizontally to the wall studs or ceiling beam. Maintain a consistent spacing between each channel for best performance.

Step 5: Install Drywall Screw On

Once the channel is in place, Install the drywall into the channel. Use appropriate screws to fasten the drywall, ensure that the perfectly fit

Step 6: Finish the Wall

Complete the installation by finishing the drywall as you usually would. To get a good-looking appearance use tape, mud, or paint the surfaces.

Deciding on a Resilient Channel vs. Soundproofing Membrane

As an acoustic consultant, we usually recommend RC for plaster ceiling assemblies under open trusses and concrete decks, as resilient channels can be extremely effective in ceiling assemblies.

Additionally, we have found it to be quite effective on walls requiring a 2-hour fire rating that does not require hanging heavy loads (anything over 50 pounds).

In hotel rooms or apartment complexes, adjacent walls should strongly consider a range of soundproof membranes that best suit their needs, often at a significant cost reduction over RC, while still achieving higher dB losses.

Application of Resilient Channel

Resilient channels find application in various settings;

1. Residential Buildings: Homeowners can use the resilient channel to reduce the sound transfer between rooms and create a quiet and more peaceful living room.

2. Commercial Areas: Government and private offices, Seminar rooms, study rooms, and any healthcare areas can benefit from the channels by maintaining and preventing disruption caused by outside sound.

3. Entertainment and Media: This Channel plays a crucial role in spaces like Recording studios, home theatres, and where sound quality and paramount for an immersive experience.

4. Healthcare Sectors: Hospital and clinical rooms require quiet to ensure patient well-being. Resilient channels provide a more healing environment by minimizing sound transmission between rooms.

Some FAQs Related To Resilient Channel

So today I’m going to answer some of the most frequently asked questions about these products and review some of the best durable channels on the market.

Conclusion

Resilient Channel offers a practical way of creating a quiet space inside a room in a world where noise pollution is drastically rising.

Resilient channels provide creative solutions for enhancing soundproofing and acoustic isolation thanks to their distinctive design and straightforward installation procedure.

You can use any of the strategies we’ve covered today, as long as you keep in mind how to properly insulate and decorate a room to address indoor sound quality.

Consider including resilient channels in the construction or renovation plans, whether you’re a homeowner, business owner, or aspiring musician, to benefit from more tranquil surroundings in your daily life.