How to install acoustic panels onto plasterboard wall over brick?

Question

Hi all.

My project is to fit acoustic panels (like SpecRite 2700 x 600 x 21mm Oak Timber Acoustic Panels) to a bedroom wall. What may make it harder is there's no stud wall - plasterboard was fixed to a double brick wall. And not necessarily done very well either, so I'm hoping to cover it up.

My question is how do fix the panels? There is a skirting board down the bottom that I could either retain or remove. While the cornice at the top I definitely want to retain.

Once I do this room successfully, which I'm converting from a never used bedroom to a combo guest room and home office, I'll move onto the other bedroom with the same spec wall.

Thanks!

Nailbag · Answer

Hi @MisterJay

@MitchellMc was correct I did miss the bit about the plasterboard being fixed to battens on a brick wall. In which case I would just glue the panels to the wall then use props to press fit each one in place until the glue sets. So put a panel up in the morning, the next in the afternoon, the next end of the day then repeat repurposing the props. That way there is no need to locate battens and driving screws and/or brads. The panels are light  and the glue will hold. My son and I did this on his living room TV wall using this method. His wall was half panel then half feature colour wall. The TV then sat in the middle of both and looked awesome.

Nailbag

MitchellMc · Answer

Hi @MisterJay,

Nailbag might have missed the part about it being a brick wall. However, if the plasterboard has been packed out, you could nail or screw into the packers/batons, or even just into the plasterboard itself. You'd either use nails or screws, not both. The fixings are just used to hold the panel in place until the adhesive dries. Obviously, you'll need to use fixings that don't penetrate any further in than the brick wall.

Mitchell

MisterJay · Answer

Thank you @Dave-1 @Nailbag and @EricL

I will find out where the plasterboard itself is nailed on, they've packed it out from the brick wall.

@Nailbag what should I use the fine brad nails for, is that in addition to or instead of screws?

And I'll remove the skirt 😃.