A spring-loaded drywall screw is designed to reduce vibration passing from a wall or ceiling frame into its plasterboard lining. Malmö University reported a 9 dB reduction in a laboratory test of a traditional drywall wall in 2021, but the result is not enough to show that the screw will soundproof every room—or that it costs less than established alternatives.
How a spring-loaded drywall screw works
Malmö University described Akoustos as a screw divided into two sections and joined by a spring. One section goes into a wood stud; the other fastens the plasterboard. The spring is intended to make the connection resilient, limiting how directly vibration travels from the framing into the board. The university said the approach was particularly suited to wood framing, where acoustic challenges can be greater than in heavy concrete construction. Malmö University’s June 2021 release explains the concept.
This is a way of reducing one path for sound transmission, not a seal against all noise. Sound can also travel through other parts of a building, including adjoining surfaces and gaps, so a screw alone should not be treated as a complete soundproofing solution.
What the reported 9 dB result does—and does not—show
Malmö University’s 2021 release attributes a 9 dB reduction to tests in a sound laboratory on a traditional drywall wall. It describes that change as halving the perceived sound level. That halving is the university’s interpretation of the reported decibel result, not a separate percentage measurement.
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The release does not provide a complete laboratory report, enough detail about the tested wall assembly, or frequency-by-frequency results to establish how the figure applies to other walls, rooms, or noise sources. It is therefore a reported test result in a specific context, not a guarantee that a retrofit will cut noise from neighbors by the same amount.
The university also reported a trial in which standard screws were replaced in a hair-salon ceiling in Lund and said the result was good. It did not publish numerical field measurements for that installation. The available reports do not establish an independently verified, current performance dataset for Akoustos.
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Does it make soundproofing cheaper?
Potentially, but a lower total installed cost has not been demonstrated. Malmö University presented the design as a way to save installation time and wall space compared with other approaches. The sources do not give matched material and labor costs, installed-cost figures, or current Akoustos pricing. A thinner assembly may be valuable where floor area matters, but that is not the same as proving the screw makes a completed wall or ceiling cheaper.
To compare costs meaningfully, include the complete assembly: fasteners, clips or rails and channel where required, drywall, labor, finishing, and any changes needed to suit the framing. A product price alone cannot establish which option costs less to install.
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Availability and related products
Malmö University said in June 2021 that Akoustos had not yet entered the market and that its developers were seeking companies to test it at larger scale. The release described offering manufacturing or sales rights in specific markets. That is a historical status update; it does not establish whether Akoustos is available today.
EWES documents a related category product, SoundFastener, described by its manufacturer as a resilient drywall screw for wood studs with a double head joined by a special spring. The available information does not establish that SoundFastener is the Akoustos screw or that it has the same tested performance. Current retailer availability was not established. See the EWES SoundFastener manufacturer sheet for its product description.
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How it compares with established alternatives
Spring-coupled screws are one approach to a resilient connection; other systems use additional rails or channels. These assemblies are not direct performance comparisons with the Akoustos test, and results for one wall build-up should not be transferred to another.
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| Approach | How it is installed | What to keep in mind |
|---|---|---|
| Spring-coupled drywall screw | A spring joins the framing-side and drywall-side portions of the fastener; Akoustos was described for wood framing. | Malmö University reported a 9 dB laboratory reduction in 2021, but the complete assembly details needed to generalize that result are not provided. Current Akoustos availability and comparable installed cost are not established. |
| Sound isolation clips and furring channel | Attach clips to the framing, snap in 7/8-inch drywall furring channel, then fasten drywall to the channel, following the system’s specified instructions. | Published acoustic figures apply to specified assemblies and are not a head-to-head test against spring screws. See Soundproofing Company’s clip-and-channel installation overview. |
| Protektor SILENCIO hat spring rail | The manufacturer describes the rail for use under wooden ceiling beams, installed perpendicular to the beam or base construction. Leave approximately 1 mm clearance so the rail can hang freely from the screw. | This is a ceiling rail, not a direct equivalent for every wall application. Follow the manufacturer’s assembly details: Protektor SILENCIO product information. |
What to check before choosing a system
- Framing and location: Confirm whether the assembly suits wood, steel, or concrete framing, and whether it is intended for a wall, ceiling, or both.
- Complete test assembly: Look for evidence tied to the whole build-up—framing, resilient components, board layers, fasteners, and installation—not just a product-level sound figure.
- Space and installation: Compare assembly depth, fastening patterns, other required components, and installer familiarity.
- Total installed cost: Count materials, labor, finishing, and any framing or clearance work. Comparable cost data for Akoustos is not available in the cited sources.
- Supply and support: Check current availability in your region and obtain installation documentation for the specific product. The 2021 Akoustos market statement is not current availability confirmation.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
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