ClarkDietrich RC Deluxe® Resilient Channel achieves high acoustic ratings in new floor-ceiling assembly third-party testing, outperforming competitor channels

West Chester, Ohio - April 29, 2026 – ClarkDietrich, the nation’s largest manufacturer of cold-formed steel framing products, announced that its RC Deluxe® Resilient Channel (RCSD) has been validated by new third-party floor-ceiling assembly testing by Westside Acoustics. The study confirms that ClarkDietrich RCSD achieves an industry-leading STC rating of 61 and outperforms all other tested resilient channels across key acoustic performance metrics. 

“Compared to other resilient channels, ClarkDietrich RCSD continues to be unsurpassed in airborne and impact sound insulation in floor-ceiling assemblies,” the study says.

Testing was conducted on a floor-ceiling system consisting of 18-inch open web wood trusses spaced at 24 inches on center with 1-inch gypsum concrete and ¼-inch sound mat with R-13 batt insulation. RCSD was compared against a competitor channel that had claimed equivalent performance to the RC Deluxe.

The results were decisive. RCSD outperformed the competing resilient channel across all four acoustic ratings:

1. Impact Isolation Class (IIC): 4–7 points higher
2. Sound Transmission Class (STC): 4 points higher
3. Low-frequency Impact Isolation Class (LIIC): 10 points higher
4. High-frequency Impact Isolation Class (HIIC): 3–6 points higher

“Not all resilient channels are created equal,” said Ryan Reed, category manager for ClarkDietrich. “This study confirms what our customers have long experienced in the field: RC Deluxe delivers superior acoustic performance. For multifamily specifiers, choosing the right resilient channel matters.”

Floor-ceiling assemblies are among the most acoustically demanding and code-critical challenges in multifamily and commercial construction. Most U.S. jurisdictions require a minimum STC and IIC rating of 50 for assemblies separating residences, but developers of apartments, condominiums, and senior living communities increasingly target higher performance thresholds, where acoustic comfort directly impacts resident satisfaction and asset value. RCSD rated at IIC 55–59 and STC 61 in the Westside Acoustics testing. 

For more information, technical data and specification resources for RC Deluxe, visit clarkdietrich.com/products/rc-deluxe-resilient-channel-rcsd.