Any difference btwn hat and furring channel?

I've got some sound isolation company clips purchased for the ceiling of my studio. According to the rep I talked to I need 20ga Hat channel to attach the clips to (and to support my ceiling). I just called up my local building material supplier, and they were a little confused when I asked for hat channel, but they did have 20ga furring channel (at $8 for a 12 ft length). Is furring channel and hat channel the same thing???? Thanks Kris

What kind of clips are they? Are they RISC 1 clips? If so then a hat channel is what you want. DO you have Rod's book? If so, take it into the store and show them p 58. I'm not sure what a "furring channel" is, though I suspect it's similar to a hat channel. But you don't want to guess on this, otherwise you could lose your isolation.

If you are using RSIC clips then you need the right channel - Check here for dimensional info for the right stuff.... http://www.acousticalsurfaces.com/rsic_ ... iclips.pdf As an example of why you can't just say "hat channel" and have it be right - here's a company who manufactures hat channel - they have well over 25 different channels - and yet you would have to buy a custom channel to get the right dimensions: http://www.johnsonrollforming.com/displ ... category/4 Just make sure you double check with your suplier to verify the dimensions are correct. Sincerely, Rod

it's also important to follow the manufacturers guidelines and secure all joins with a 6 inch overlap and two "s" rated screws. I too am using RSIC's (except I am using the EXT04's to get an extra drop below the studs) and have called PAC-INTL to ensure I follow their spec to a tee since I don't want 3 layers of rock coming down on me mid-rockout! :lol: I was super cautious of using the 25 guage with three layers; but they actually recommended I do since the 22 guage (which my building supplies place couldn't source) is much more difficult to work with. Good luck!

Kris' mention of "sound isolation company" makes me think that he's using http://www.soundisolationcompany.com/Sound-Isolation-Clips.php which are the same thing I'm using on my ceiling. (drywall going up this weekend!) 7/8" hat (furring) channel is what is used with this clip. My supplier had 25 or 20 guage and I opted for the heavier channel.

Yup, leecow...you've got it right. Those are the clips I'm prepared to use. My supplier only has channel in 12 foot lengths....my room is 14.5 feet long. Obviously I'm going to have to use two lengths to get across my room....but how does this affect the clip spacing? I'm going to call up the sound isolation company on Friday and ask them....but if anyone out there knows how to handle the longer runs with isolation clips I'm all ears. I did notice andy_eade's suggestion to overlap by 1/2 a foot....makes sense, but do you alter the clip spacing at all? Cheers, Kris

drfrankencopter wrote:

Obviously I'm going to have to use two lengths to get across my room....but how does this affect the clip spacing? I'm going to call up the sound isolation company on Friday and ask them....but if anyone out there knows how to handle the longer runs with isolation clips I'm all ears. I did notice andy_eade's suggestion to overlap by 1/2 a foot....makes sense, but do you alter the clip spacing at all?

Kris, there's no need to alter the spacing- they want you to break the joint mid-span - so the spacing would remain the same. Read the instructions here: http://www.acousticalsurfaces.com/rsic_ ... iclips.pdf The splicing info is on page 2 - bottom of page - under "General Information" Sincerely, Rod

My room is 22' long and also had to splice using the method Rod references. Just measure the needed length (+ 6") and cut the furring channel accordingly. I used a drill mounted cutoff wheel for this activity. Make sure you have several wheels as the channel eats 'em up pretty quick.