One of the newest acoustic plasterboard ceiling brands in the Australian market, VoglFuge is designed and manufactured in Germany. Available in Australia from Atkar Group, VoglFuge uses a different installation process compared to some of the conventional brands of acoustic plasterboard ceilings.

This article explains the many differences between VoglFuge and most plasterboard acoustic ceiling brands.

VoglFuge system Vs other plasterboard acoustic ceilings

Panel edges

VoglFuge designer ceilings are fully perforated end-to-end with a straight edge on all sides. This means there is less wastage when cut to size as the panels can be re-used. The panels can also be flush aligned.

Conventional plasterboard acoustic ceiling panels are machine lipped on one long edge and on one short edge. Once they are cut, the panel cannot be used again.

Installation accessories

The Vogl installation kit includes everything that you need to install your acoustic ceiling. No other accessories are required to be purchased.

For installing regular plasterboard acoustic ceilings, you will need to purchase items such as gypsum filler, jointing compound, sand paper, plasterboard screws, fasteners, cap screws, primer, brush, caulking gun, trowel and scraper.

Furring channels at the joint

Atkar has introduced a wider 67mm furring channel, which means you do not need to use double furring channels at the joints.

Most other brands do not offer a 67mm wide furring channel. Joint installation of lining boards is typically achieved using a double furring channel, which gives scope for movement on the joint, or a furring channel around 50mm, which is mostly not wide enough to facilitate the minimum screw distance from the edge of the panels.

Jointing system

The VoglFuge installation uses a joint tape glue system. Since the VoglFuge joint is flush jointed, you need to do the following (all materials are supplied): Apply liquid glue over the joint; apply 8mm joint tape over the joint; apply another coat of liquid glue and allow to dry; fill screw heads with filler; and gently sand the joint.

Most other brands utilise the compound joint fill system, which requires installers to do the following: Clean joints with a wet brush; prime the edges; completely fill all joints with joint filler and allow to harden; carefully chip off excess filler with a scraper; fill the screw heads with filler; and vigorously sand the joint to ensure a smooth finish.

Crack resistance

Due to the unique joint tape system in VoglFuge, the likelihood of cracking at the joints after installation is significantly less as the tape and glue system has some flexibility when dried compared to hard-set fillers, allowing it to handle some ceiling movement. The use of Atkar’s wider 67mm furring channel at the joints also helps ensure maximum crack resistance.

A common issue with using compound filler in the joints is that when there is movement in the ceilings, the hard-set fillers lack flexibility, which means the ceiling is much more likely to develop fine hairline cracks over time.

Group Classification Ratings

Both VoglFuge and conventional acoustic plasterboard ceiling brands carry a Group 1 rating.

Acoustics

VoglFuge can achieve up to 0.80 on pattern 12/20/66R while leading brands can achieve up to 0.7.

Is training required to carry out the installation?

Atkar Group has developed a 5-minute 3D installation video, which visually demonstrates the VoglFuge installation process.