HushFrame Decoupling Technology: A Revolutionary Solution for Acoustic Performance in Modern Wood-Framed Construction

Architects frequently face increasing demands for acoustic performance in multi-family residential projects while navigating the constraints of sustainable wood-framed construction. The International Building Code (IBC) mandates specific Sound Transmission Class (STC) and Impact Insulation Class (IIC) performance standards for floor/ceiling assemblies in multi-family housing, yet traditional soundproofing methods often fall short of these requirements while introducing significant design and construction challenges.

The shift toward engineered wood products and lighter building materials, while environmentally beneficial, has created structures that are inherently more susceptible to noise transmission. This trend, combined with the conversion of rental apartment buildings to owner-occupied condominiums, has heightened the importance of achieving superior acoustic performance without compromising architectural design flexibility.

Solutions are out there. HushFrame, for example, represents a paradigm shift in acoustic decoupling technology, specifically engineered to address the shortcomings of legacy systems. Here, we break down the limitations of traditional acoustic products and share why Hushframe is leading our industries forward with high-performance products.

The Limitations of Legacy Acoustic Solutions

Resilient Channel: The 80% Failure Rate Problem

Resilient channel (RC), the most widely used acoustic product in floor/ceiling assemblies, presents a fundamental challenge for architects and builders. According to USG, the product's inventor, RC installation failure occurs in approximately 80% of installations due to short-circuiting issues. This failure rate creates a significant liability risk, as buildings with compromised RC installations fail to achieve basic acoustic code compliance and lose their UL fire resistance ratings.

The disconnect between acoustic performance and fire resistance requirements creates a regulatory void that can trap architects in non-compliant designs, potentially exposing them to professional liability claims when assemblies underperform acoustically or fail to meet fire safety standards.

Metal Clip Systems: Installation Complexity and Flanking Issues

Various metal decoupling connectors, including Resilmount A237, Pliteq Genie Clip, Kinetics IsoMax, and RSIC systems, require nested metal hat channel furring that creates significant practical challenges:

• Mechanical Integration Problems: Metal channels cannot accommodate direct attachment of electrical boxes, light fixtures, HVAC ducts, and other mechanical systems, forcing these elements to be fastened directly to structural members and creating acoustic flanking paths
• Installation Complexity: The multi-component systems are difficult to install correctly and are frequently rejected by contractors
• Fire Rating Conflicts: UL fire resistance designs often conflict with the acoustic performance representations of metal clip systems

Other Legacy Solutions and Their Architectural Limitations

Double Wall Construction consumes valuable floor space (typically 4% loss) and requires additional framing materials, making it economically and spatially inefficient for most residential projects.

Suspended Ceilings are inappropriate for residential applications due to their commercial appearance, complexity, and cost.

Composite Gypsum Panels are expensive, heavy, and prone to deflection issues when used in ceiling applications.

Damping Adhesives offer minimal acoustic improvement and suffer from fastener short-circuiting issues.

HushFrame: Next-Generation Acoustic Technology

Revolutionary Design Approach

HushFrame’s patented Vi-Bridge® silicone cores are embedded in sustainable radiata pine plywood, creating a decoupling system that not only isolates vibration but actively absorbs and dissipates low-frequency sound energy.

Key Architectural Advantages

Wood Furring Compatibility: Unlike metal-based systems, HushFrame works with standard wood furring, allowing direct attachment of all mechanical systems to the wood framework. This eliminates the flanking paths that compromise other systems while maintaining standard construction practices familiar to contractors.

Fire Performance Excellence: HushFrame enables the least restrictive one-hour UL fire-rated floor/ceiling assembly through proprietary UL Design M565. The system offers superior fire resistance performance, providing 64 minutes of ceiling surface fire protection compared to 22-25 minutes for metal-based products.

Simplified Installation: The system installs in a straightforward grid pattern on the sides of framing members, eliminating the complexity associated with metal clip systems and reducing the likelihood of installation errors.

Proven Acoustic Performance Data

Laboratory Testing Results

HushFrame has achieved exceptional acoustic performance across multiple UL Fire Rated Assembly types, as verified by testing at Riverbank Acoustical Laboratories in Geneva, Illinois:

• UL M565 wood truss floor/ceiling: Mid-60s STC and IIC ratings
• UL U311 single wood-stud wall: STC 63
• UL U340 staggered stud wall: STC 67
• UL U344 single wood stud shear wall: STC 64
• UL W307 single-stud bearing exterior wall: STC 61
• UL W473 metal-stud interior wall: STC 66

Field Testing Validation

Field testing conducted by INTERTEK Boston demonstrates that HushFrame assemblies consistently exceed the performance of more complex and expensive alternatives. In comparative testing, a HushFrame assembly without cementitious toppings achieved:

• NNIC 60 (Lab STC 65)
• NISR 59 (Lab IIC 64)

This performance exceeded a complex traditional assembly featuring resilient channels, gypsum concrete, and multiple layers of resilient underlayment mats, which achieved only:

• NIC 53 (Lab STC 58)
• ISR 50 (Lab IIC 55)

Addressing Contemporary Construction Challenges

Sustainable Construction Compatibility

The construction industry's shift toward sustainable wood-framed construction using engineered lumber products creates inherently lighter and more vibration-prone structures. HushFrame's design specifically addresses these challenges by providing effective vibration control without requiring the mass-based solutions that compromise sustainability goals.

Multi-Family Housing Market Evolution

The conversion of rental apartments to owner-occupied condominiums has heightened acoustic performance expectations. Homeowner associations are increasingly pursuing litigation for noise complaints, exposing builders and architects to significant liability risks when legacy soundproofing techniques fail to perform as expected. Noise control must be reliably built-in; you can’t fix acoustics on a call-back.

Economic and Environmental Benefits

Cost-Effectiveness

HushFrame eliminates the need for expensive cementitious toppings and complex installation procedures required by competing systems. The simplified installation process reduces labor costs and minimizes the risk of costly installation errors that plague other acoustic solutions.  Switching to HushFrame Decoupling for acoustic management will save roughly 50% of the cost of a gypsum concrete installation.

Environmental Sustainability

Constructed from sustainable farm-raised radiata pine plywood and 100% pure silicone cores, HushFrame supports green building initiatives while delivering superior performance. The wood-based solution aligns with the industry trend toward reduced steel and concrete usage in favor of renewable materials.

The Future of Acoustic Design

HushFrame represents a fundamental advancement in acoustic technology for wood-framed construction. It is featured in Acelab’s material library because it truly addresses the critical performance gaps and installation challenges that have plagued the industry for decades. For architects seeking reliable, code-compliant acoustic solutions that integrate seamlessly with contemporary sustainable construction practices, HushFrame offers a proven pathway to superior performance.

The technology's compatibility with standard construction methods, superior fire resistance performance, and documented acoustic effectiveness make it an essential consideration for any multi-family residential project where acoustic performance is critical. As the construction industry continues to evolve toward lighter, more sustainable building methods, HushFrame provides the acoustic performance foundation necessary to meet both regulatory requirements and occupant expectations.

By eliminating the reliability issues associated with resilient channel systems and the complexity challenges of metal clip assemblies, HushFrame enables architects to specify acoustic solutions with confidence, reducing project risk while delivering superior occupant comfort and building performance.  

For more information about HushFrame acoustic decoupling technology and UL fire-rated assembly designs, consult with your HushFrame representative.