Sound Rated Trim-Tex Products Are Now Blue — Here's Why

Notice a few new shades of blue in the Trim-Tex catalog? We’ve done a bit of renovating within our Fire + Sound Solutions line, introducing a couple of new products and reorganizing others to live under this popular product category. To make everything easy to identify — for both Trim-Tex customers and special inspectors — we’ve color-coded the entire code compliance family, with all sound rated Trim-Tex product now colored in blue.

In this story, we will explain why we recolored these products, and answer a few of the most common questions we’ve received about this shift. Read on to learn more!

Why did you recolor these beads from white to blue?

The blue color indicates that the product is compatible with sound rated systems, able to maintain STC performance without traditional acoustical sealant. This has been a popular feature of Trim-Tex’s widely used Sound Gasket bead for years now, leading to the team here adopting it for the entire line of products with these capabilities.

The biggest benefit here is simple: when an inspector sees the blue color, even from across the room, they will know that the wall joint has been equipped with the proper dosage of acoustic components for a sound rated system. Contractors, similarly, will be able to recognize — in a single glance — which of their walls are rated for sound and/or fire, and which are not. 

With preformed joint code compliance solutions like these, there’s no confusion, no guesswork and no hassle.

What products are affected by this change?

Three popular Trim-Tex beads have been recolored to more accurately reflect their sound-abating capabilities: our best-selling 093V Expansion bead, the head-of-wall-mounted Deflection Bead and the versatile Super Seal Tear Away L Bead. Each of these products have been tested to deliver high-performance smoke and sound ratings.

Also available is a brand-new product, Sound XL — you’ll learn more about this product further below.

Where can I buy these products, or any other Trim-Tex Fire + Sound Solutions?

Trim-Tex Fire + Sound Solutions are available at drywall supply dealers all over North America. Use the tool below to find a dealer near you, and give them a call to see if your favorite bead is in stock or to order ahead.

Why should I use these blue products instead of acoustical caulk?

Here's the bottom line: Trim-Tex's sound rated-ready solutions achieve the same or better STC value as acoustical caulks and sealants, with none of their many drawbacks. And anyone who has used acoustical caulk before is very aware of their drawbacks — they are messy, inconsistent and time-consuming. Caulks also can harden and shrink back over time, making them less flexible and weakening their abilities to dampen sound transmissions. 

Trim-Tex's high-performance sound solutions, on the other hand, are clean, easy and foolproof, with no caulking necessary. Since they are preformed, you know you’re getting the right amount of acoustical capabilities every time; since they’re made by Trim-Tex, you know you’re going to get a great-looking finish that will stay flexible and aesthetically pleasing for years to come. 

What is Sound XL?

Sound XL (pictured above and throughout) is a preformed, sound-abating solution designed for maximum versatility in head-of-wall joints. A non-fire rated spin on our popular Hotrod XL bead, Sound XL consists of a high-quality Trim-Tex vinyl bead attached to a length of compressible foam, which can adapt along uneven surfaces to provide a full ¾" of building movement. This adaptability, high-performance acoustical components and controlled-movement capabilities make it an excellent choice for high-rises and other multi-story structures. Learn more about Sound XL here.

So, if blue means “sound rated,” what does pink mean?

Blue is just one half of Trim-Tex’s color-coded code compliance line — if blue means “sound,” pink/red means “fire.” 

All Trim-Tex preformed firestopping solutions (excluding Fire Tape and the upcoming Hotrod BW) are equipped with intumescent tape, which expands when exposed to flame to enhance fire protection. Each of these products has been tested to multiple industry standards to comply with joint firestopping requirements, in addition to sound testing. These products are extruded in pink or red for easy identification by inspectors as preformed firestopping devices. Applicable testing data for these fire-rated drywall accessories can be found on Trim-Tex.com.

Is anything else about these products changing?

Aside from these light cosmetic enhancements, no, these beads perform exactly the same as always — same performance, same finish, same price. For instance, if you’ve already been using our popular 093V Expansion bead for years, you won’t notice any difference besides the light blue color. And, once the beads is mudded and painted, you won’t even notice that difference anymore!

The only other difference to note is in Super Seal Tear Away L Bead: this bead will now be sold in quantities of 30 pieces per box, rather than the previous 25. (Check with your local dealer/distributor for pricing differences per box, but the price per bead will remain the same.) 

How can I learn more?

To learn more about our full family of Fire + Sound Solutions, please visit Trim-Tex.com/Code-Compliance and get a free copy of our latest technical catalog, including these newly (re)introduced sound-abating beads. Just hit the button below to get started!