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Is Shell genuinely DIY friendly?

Yes, for a competent DIYer with basic tools. The system uses standard timber battens, friction-fit mineral wool, MuteClip® isolation clips and channels, acoustic plasterboard, and brad-nailed PET felt panels. None of the steps require specialist skills or wet trades. The most involved part is installing the MuteClip® channels accurately and maintaining the critical 2–5mm perimeter gap around each plasterboard sheet. If you are comfortable with a stud finder, a drill, a saw, and a brad nail gun, Shell is within reach.

Can a tenant install Shell and remove it at the end of a tenancy?

Yes — that is one of the key reasons Shell was designed the way it was. The PET felt panels are brad nailed and can be removed cleanly. The plasterboard can be unscrewed from the MuteClip® channels. The clips and channels can be removed from the timber frame, and the frame itself dismantled. While it is not a "temporary" installation in the conventional sense, it is fully reversible with normal reinstatement works. We recommend discussing this with your landlord before installation.

Does Shell work on stud walls as well as brick?

Yes. The MuteClip® system is designed to work on brick, block, and existing timber stud partitions. A solid masonry wall behind will provide better inherent soundproofing as a starting point — brick and block have more mass than a stud frame. However the Shell system adds meaningful performance on stud walls too, particularly with the cavity filled with Rockwool RW3. If you have a stud wall and significant noise issues, get in touch to discuss whether the Bronze system will be sufficient or whether a professional installation would serve you better.

What is the total depth added to my wall?

The MuteClip® clip and channel combined add 40mm. The 15mm acoustic plasterboard adds another 15mm. The 12mm PET felt adds 12mm. In total, the Shell system adds approximately 67mm of build-up plus the depth of your timber stud frame (typically 50–75mm), giving a finished wall thickness addition of around 115–145mm depending on your chosen stud depth.

What is the lead time for a Shell system?

Standard lead time is approximately two weeks from order confirmation. The MuteClip® components and Rockwool are held in stock by iKoustic. The PET felt panels are produced to order at Felted. Delivery timings for both will be confirmed when your quote is accepted. If you have a deadline, let us know when you get in touch and we will do our best to accommodate it.

Can I get professional installation help?

Yes. While Shell is designed to be DIY accessible, we can connect you with professional installation partners if you would prefer a hand. Professional installation also unlocks higher-performance configurations — up to 18dB of sound reduction is achievable through professional materials and fitting. Get in touch to discuss your options.

Is Shell suitable for ceilings as well as walls?

The current Shell system is designed and specified for walls. iKoustic produce ceiling-specific MuteClip® variants (LP and XP) for timber joist and concrete ceiling applications, and we can quote for ceiling systems on request. Ceiling installation is more physically demanding and in most cases we would recommend professional installation.

What makes the MuteClip® different from a standard resilient bar?

A standard resilient bar creates a single-point isolation between the plasterboard and the joist or stud. The problem is that resilient bars frequently "short circuit" — if the plasterboard is over-screwed and makes contact with the wall or ceiling behind, the isolation is completely lost. The MuteClip® uses a clip-and-channel system with dual-density silicone at each fixing point. The clip creates a physical standoff from the structure; the channel spans between clips without touching the wall; and the dual silicone — harder on the outside, softer inside — absorbs both impact energy and residual vibration. The result is a more robust and consistent isolation than resilient bars can achieve.

What is the maximum load per MuteClip®?

Each MuteClip® Standard has a maximum load of 16kg. iKoustic recommend working to no more than 75% of that capacity — around 12kg per clip — to preserve the isolation performance of the silicone. Exceeding the maximum load reduces the suspension effect of the clip and therefore its soundproofing effectiveness. For Shell, the clip quantity is calculated to keep all system layers well within these limits.

Why is the perimeter gap so important?

The MuteClip® system works by creating a physical break between the new wall and the existing structure. If the plasterboard touches the surrounding walls, floor, or ceiling at any point, that contact creates a direct path for sound vibrations to travel — bypassing the isolation entirely. A 2–5mm gap must be left around every board edge. This gap is typically covered once the PET felt panels, skirting boards, or architraves are in place.

Why Rockwool RW3 specifically, not standard loft insulation?

Standard thermal mineral wool is too low a density to absorb sound effectively. Rockwool RW3 is specified at 60kg/m³ — significantly denser than standard loft insulation. The higher density improves sound absorption particularly at bass frequencies, which are the hardest to control. RW3 also carries a Euroclass A1 fire rating and a thermal conductivity of 0.034 W/mK.

What are the fire ratings across the Shell system?

Rockwool RW3 mineral wool carries a Euroclass A1 fire rating — the highest classification. Acoustic plasterboard is gypsum-based and typically carries a Class A2-s1,d0 fire rating or better. The Felted PET felt panels are fire rated to BS EN 13501-1:2018 Class B-s1,d0. The MuteClip® clips and channels are galvanised steel. Full fire classification data for all components is available on request from the respective manufacturers' data sheets.

Is the MuteClip® patented?

Yes. The MuteClip® is patented (Patent No. 2580959) and is a registered trade mark of iKoustic Limited. It was developed in partnership with the Acoustics Research facility at the University of Salford through a Knowledge Transfer Partnership. iKoustic have been trading for over 14 years and are one of the UK's leading soundproofing specialists.