How is Kokon Pro installed?
The most important stage of installing acoustic insulation happens before the material disappears beneath the floor or behind the plasterboard. This is when you need to check the dimensions, the order of the layers, the routes of any services and the amount of space available for the complete system.
The rebond foam itself can be cut and fitted to the structure. More attention is required when planning everything that will sit beneath it, above it and around it. A properly prepared Kokon Pro installation should therefore begin not with opening the package, but with a simple plan.
One material, three completely different installation methods
Kokon Pro products are made from rebond foam, but they are not all installed in the same way.
Kokon Floor is an acoustic underlay concealed beneath the finished flooring. The condition of the subfloor, the type of flooring or carpet and the final height of the complete floor build-up all need to be considered.
Wall Barrier is fixed directly to an existing wall and covered with a plasterboard lining. Wall Panel, by contrast, is installed within a frame built against an existing wall or as part of a new partition wall.
Kokon Top is installed above the plasterboard in a suspended ceiling structure. Before work begins, the frame, lighting, cables and final room height all need to be planned.
These are not minor technical differences. The chosen solution determines the scope of the renovation, the materials required and the order in which the work must be completed.
What happens on installation day?
Whether the work involves the floor, a wall or the ceiling, it can be divided into three stages.
First, prepare the area
The room needs to be cleared sufficiently to provide unrestricted access to the work area. The subfloor or structure should be inspected, measured and prepared in accordance with the requirements of the planned finish.
By this stage, the positions of sockets, switches, skirting boards, cables, lighting and any other elements passing through the lining should already be known.
Next, fit the material
The rebond foam is cut to fit the specific surface or the spaces between the framing members. It should be installed in accordance with the instructions for the individual product.
Do not apply the installation rules for flooring underlay to wall panels or assume that Wall Barrier is fitted in the same way as Wall Panel. Each product occupies a different position within the structure.
Finally, close up the system
Kokon Floor underlay is covered by the finished flooring. Wall Barrier and Wall Panel disappear behind the plasterboard lining. Kokon Top is enclosed above the suspended ceiling.
Before installing this final layer, check the fit of the material once again and make sure the complete build-up follows the relevant instructions. Once the structure has been closed, any corrections become considerably more labour-intensive.
Small details that can bring work to a halt
The most common complications are not caused by the rebond foam itself. They come from details that are easy to overlook during planning.
For floors, these are mainly doors, thresholds, skirting boards and differences in floor level between rooms. The additional layer may only be a few millimetres thick, but once the new flooring has been installed, the door leaf may still require adjustment.
When improving the acoustic insulation of a wall, you need to account for sockets, switches, radiators, window sills and fitted furniture. The completed lining will take up several centimetres of space, which makes accurate measurement far more reliable than estimating by eye.
Within a suspended ceiling, cables, light fittings, ventilation and other services may clash with the planned structure. Their positions should be established before the ceiling is closed.
Can you install Kokon Pro yourself?
An acoustic underlay beneath laminate or other floor panels can be installed by someone with experience in laying flooring and preparing the subfloor correctly. The work can also be entrusted to the team installing the finished flooring.
Acoustic insulation for walls or ceilings involves a wider scope of work. It includes constructing the lining, accommodating services and finishing the surface correctly. If you do not have experience with plasterboard systems, using a professional installer will usually be the more sensible option.
The rebond foam itself is not difficult to work with. The level of difficulty depends on the complete structure of which it will become a part.
Before you begin, choose the correct installation guide
This article explains what to expect during the work, but it does not replace the instructions for the specific product.
On the Installation page, you will find separate information for Kokon Floor underlays, Wall Barrier and Wall Panel products, and Kokon Top ceiling insulation. Each guide explains how the product is used, what preparation is required and the most important installation rules for that solution.
