Soundproofing A Room. Experience With Materials?

James Boyd

Hi all,

I have three sound rooms to quote on. Two theaters and 1 master bedroom. Two customers total.

On other forums dedicated to recording studios and home theaters, you see a lot of exotic materials used. I was wondering how many of them you guys have seen:

Quiet Rock
Supress (drywall)
Green Glue
Various resilient clips and hat track

I figure if these items work, others would be using them. Guys I know use extra drywall or soundboard, maybe fiberglass.

Thanks!

James

DaveH

Quiet rock..... waste of money $70-$80 per sheet no way! You want to kill the sound in a couple ways. Use thick batt insulation R-19 or greater in the wall cavity. Then use RC1 channels (kinda like hat channel but with only 1 leg) They have cut outs along the length of them to stop sound vibration from traveling thru walls. You can add a layer of sound board (homosote panels in some areas) Over them for added security from sound/vibrations. This takes care of the sound traveling thru walls. Now to keep it from echoing around the room. there are many comercial sound panels available. All work very well. Almost all are very expensive. It is up to the owners what type of finish look they want. I have built sound panels before for a very low cost. You construct a box frame and fill it with batt insulation to the dimensions you want. then simply wrap the panels in a decorator fabric pulled tight and stapled to the back. Have you ever been in an attic and noticed the sound reduction you get from the exposed insulation? Same principle. You might want to use a more porous fabric so sound will penitrate and not bounce off.
Dave

__________________
A buck a foot is not an estimate! It's a crap shoot!

AtlanticWBConst

Here - Quite rock is $130.00 per sheet....2nd that point = waste of Money.

As DaveH said...= use insulation, actually use ACOUSTIC insulation, it's less expensive (without vapor barrier). Installing some in a ceiling tomorrow.

You can also use 'sound board' if you want to get out cheap.

If you want to do it right, it's just as DaveH wrote. The key is to construct 'chambers' in the wall to absorb the sound. That is the basis behind the RC1 channel Dave described.

Actually, we have another job like this scheduled for next month in an apartment complex connected to the 'swimming pool pump room'. We will be using a new product made from rubber attached onto the walls - and the channel on the installation. Don't ask me what the product is, I am not directly handling this account. My biz. partner is, he doesn't care about the technicalities (sp.)....

__________________
- Build Well -

James Boyd

So when you say "chambers", you're meaning what, like independent air cavities?

Thanks a lot for the responses, by the way. I appreciate the insights.

slickshift

There's sound proofing and sound absorbing

For sound proofing, a layer of this stuff under the Sheetrock works well

Vinyl Sound Barrier is used to block unwanted noise.
Increases Wall Mass without increasing its Depth
-- only 1/8" thick
Prevents unwanted sound transmission through
walls, ceilings, and floors.
STC=27
54 inches wide.
Available in full rolls 20', 30', 60'
... or by the linear foot.

Weight: 1 lb. per sq. ft.
Thickness: 1/8”


A wall of homosote under the Sheetrock works well also
Firring strips and a pocket of air between can help with that

The acoustic panels are a different animal
They are used to absorb sound, not block it
They are great for echoes and unwanted frequencies
They can also help with the sound proofing if those are the frequencies that are bleeding out


An example combo of wall and suspended wall and ceiling panels:

That's pretty fancy

If it's the bass bleeding over there are special bass eaters in box, panel, and even drop ceiling panel form

There's a lot involved
Most of which is specific to the project
Construction materials and room shapes etc...
It wouldn't be a bad idea to talk to an acoustician
They can usually tell from specs and pics what's going on and have some specific suggestions

__________________
Signature Quote

Quote:

Originally Posted by ModernStyle I have never used this crap before and I pray to the paint gods that I never have to use it again, I would rather use Behr

James Boyd

Slickshift,

Thanks for the info! I've looked at vinyl sound barrier materials before. It seems so logical to put a big, heavy rubber-like thing in your wall.

Actually I've read data and articles, and never even seen a piece. What I've read, however, is that it's a source of mass, but the fact that it's limp doesn't actually translate into a benefit. The STC 27 that's referenced won't add 27 STC points to a structure, and maybe adds a few points only.

Again, I haven't used it but there's a couple of websites where that product is pretty directly compared to just another sheet of drywall.

Now those acoustic panels are slick. So those would be sound absorbing you mentioned? Like used after the soundproofing job is done? I'm not involved in that part, actually. There is a gearhead hooking up speakers, and I imagine he'll handle the room stuff.

Thanks for taking the time to post all of that. Do you sell these items?

slickshift

Mmmmmm....well, maybe... in a way
The idea behind it is to put the mass of a thick piece of something into a thin sheet
It's extremely effective
I've never heard the fact that it's limp has any effect on it
It's not meant to be a structure or part of a structure

About the STC points, I'm not a numbers guy, I let Nick the acoustician rattle off those things (...till my eyes glaze over lol)
From an actual seat of the pants feel I'd say it adds a lot more
It's impressive
Well as I mentioned, I'm not a numbers guy
But I can tell you:
Another sheet of drywall is pretty effective
Two sheets of different types of drywall are more effective than two of the same types
The type of mass of the VSB is really different than drywall, or homosote
Just looking at the final numbers or ratings does not tell the whole story with acoustics, there's other factors such as frequencies and resonance involved

A homosote/VSB/drywall sandwich is way more effective than drywall/drywall/drywall

Yes, they are sound absorbers
They can be used after the sound proofing is done, but are also used in conjunction with sound proofing
They can help eliminate bleed through in general or in certain frequencies
Most often they are used not for sound-proofing per say, but ridding a room/space of echoes and unwanted resonances

Depending upon what the customer's wants/needs are, it's best to build the room properly, and with acoustics in mind
It's much harder to "go back" and install sound blockers after the room is built (if the customer says too much sound is bleeding through), then try and play catch-up with absorbers
They can only help so much

No problem, anytime
Yes, I'm a dealer/installer

__________________
Signature Quote

Quote:

Originally Posted by ModernStyle I have never used this crap before and I pray to the paint gods that I never have to use it again, I would rather use Behr

James Boyd

Hi Slickshift,

Thanks again for the replies. Is this vinyl hard to install?? I mean a sheet of drywall's pretty easy. Heavy vinyl seems like it might eat up labor $$.

You've got some great info here. I'm going to point the equipment guy in your direction to look at those panels.

James

slickshift

I never though of it as hard to install
It's not my primary though
Most of my projects with it have been relatively small and pretty specific
(My experience has been more retro-fitting or part of a remodel, and commercial "one-wall" deals like a gym with disco music next to a relaxation spa in a commercial building)

It is a bit heavy and floppy
I'd say it's not really a one-man job, though I've done smaller work with it by myself, you really need a helper

I'll gladly try and help you or your guy on the panels
I'd suggest dealing directly with the supplier, they are very nice to do business with, and they have acousticians on staff that can give you the engineering low-down, and great job specific suggestions
Let me know if you'd like the contact info

__________________
Signature Quote

Quote:

Originally Posted by ModernStyle I have never used this crap before and I pray to the paint gods that I never have to use it again, I would rather use Behr

ProWallGuy

Word of the day = acousticians

Use it three times today in seperate conversations, and I'll hang the vinyl sound barrier for free.











You will also buy me a prime rib dinner (Captain's cut), several cases of beer, and loan me your daughter for one night, no questions asked.

__________________
Wallpaper Hanger St. Louis
Digital Murals Installation

slickshift

Guess which one you are PWG:

Attached Thumbnails

 

__________________
Signature Quote

Quote:

Originally Posted by ModernStyle I have never used this crap before and I pray to the paint gods that I never have to use it again, I would rather use Behr

ProWallGuy

I've been every one of them at one time or another.
Been more than one at the same time too.

On the same note, my wife belongs to the Lee family.
Her sisters are Beast, Home, and Ug.

__________________
Wallpaper Hanger St. Louis
Digital Murals Installation

slickshift

Lol


Then she's adopted...I've seen pics


ProWallWife = Hottie




hey look new smilies

__________________
Signature Quote

Quote:

Originally Posted by ModernStyle I have never used this crap before and I pray to the paint gods that I never have to use it again, I would rather use Behr

ProWallGuy

No, its this one:

__________________
Wallpaper Hanger St. Louis
Digital Murals Installation

slickshift

Another informative thread ruined by our juvenile banter

__________________
Signature Quote

Quote:

Originally Posted by ModernStyle I have never used this crap before and I pray to the paint gods that I never have to use it again, I would rather use Behr

James Boyd

That's just hysterical!

I'd love a dealer name, if that's OK. Thanks!

ProWallGuy

James, sorry we took your thread a wee bit off-track. If you opt for an acoustical wallcovering, and need a qualified installer, let me know. I got paperhanger connections all over the US thanks to the NGPP.

__________________
Wallpaper Hanger St. Louis
Digital Murals Installation

slickshift

And I'm sure it's OK to post this here
I can recommend them:

Acoustics First
888-765-2900
227 Tomlyn Street
Richmond, VA 23230-3334

http://www.acousticsfirst.com/

The info package you'd get in the mail is much more complete than the website

If you or your guy wants to set up as a dealer/installer, you (should) get a discount (I assume they still do that)


If Nick the acoustician is still there, you can send him specs and/or pictures
His son works there too, but I'm not sure if he's an acoustician or a tech or what
If Nick's not there, I'm sure they'll have another acoustician on hand

ha ha PWG, you have to hang some VSB in my garage now
It's going to be the new rehearsal studio for the band

__________________
Signature Quote

Quote:

Originally Posted by ModernStyle I have never used this crap before and I pray to the paint gods that I never have to use it again, I would rather use Behr

ProWallGuy

Hey Slick, no problem. But you might want to go back and read the fine print in my post first.

__________________
Wallpaper Hanger St. Louis
Digital Murals Installation

slickshift

Grrr...foiled by fine print again

__________________
Signature Quote

Quote:

Originally Posted by ModernStyle I have never used this crap before and I pray to the paint gods that I never have to use it again, I would rather use Behr