Ground-up studio build in Perth

[chrispire]

Tracking down density specs for Australian insulation supplies can be a bit tricky. I couldn't find the specs for Soundscreen anywhere. Bradford only list density figures for some of their products like Ultratel and Supertel. Anyway, I happened across this today: http://www.insulationindustries.com.au/ ... siteis.pdf

Might prove useful. It would be nice if all insulation manufacturers could publish a simple product comparison chart like this.

[Birdsteeth]

So, I put in my order for 150m2 (55 bags) of the Bradford Soundscreen batts, called the company to check stock and delivery times and they said 'yep, no problem they'll be there in a week'. So I paid for them (about $2000) only to be called today to say that there was an 'admin error' and that they don't deliver to Perth, even though you have to put in your postcode to even get a price! Then, they tried to tell me that it actually was available in Perth but it was $57 a pack, not $33 that was on their site and that I paid for. So, they basically stuffed the price up and then wouldn't cop the mistake and honour it. Sigh.... Anyway, I started looking for similar densities in other brands that were available in WA and I found that Earthwool do a 90mm, 27kg/m3 batt that's available at Bunnings for around the same price per m2. Has anyone used it?

Sam.

[stevev]

So, I put in my order for 150m2 (55 bags) of the Bradford Soundscreen batts, called the company to check stock and delivery times and they said 'yep, no problem they'll be there in a week'. So I paid for them (about $2000) only to be called today to say that there was an 'admin error' and that they don't deliver to Perth, even though you have to put in your postcode to even get a price! Then, they tried to tell me that it actually was available in Perth but it was $57 a pack, not $33 that was on their site and that I paid for. So, they basically stuffed the price up and then wouldn't cop the mistake and honour it. Sigh.... Anyway, I started looking for similar densities in other brands that were available in WA and I found that Earthwool do a 90mm, 27kg/m3 batt that's available at Bunnings for around the same price per m2. Has anyone used it?

what a pain in the arse! sorry to hear that buddy That's a pretty bloody hefty price difference as well

I believe Earthwool is a rock-wool-type product and not fibreglass. At 27kg's/meter it's too light. It needs to be more like 50kg's/meter for rockwool unfortunately.

all the best,

Steve

[Birdsteeth]

Ah crap, of course! Thanks Steve, I would've thought density is density... Gee the building materials industry is misleading. I put the call out on Facebook and a couple of tradie mates are looking for a good deal on the Bradford batts, I'm trying to not wear out my welcome by asking favours.

[stevev]

yeah, I did a lot of looking around and Bradford was the only suitable product I could find. With the exception of Fletcher's FI32 semi-ridgid, which is what I used for internal control room treatment. It's about double the price of Soundscreen however, so that's why I only used it where I realy needed it.

all the best,

Steve

[Birdsteeth]

I'm finding it extremely hard to find a company that'll supply Bradford insulation in Perth and I'm not sure why, the price seems to double whenever I'm sourcing it online and local suppliers don't stock the SoundScreen batts. I've got a builder mate who can get me the Fletcher stuff though, are the Pink Acousti-Therm HD R3.1HD batts okay or will I need the Pink Sonobatt Premium R3.0 batts? Man, I swear this'll be my last bloody insulation question!

[stevev]

I've got a builder mate who can get me the Fletcher stuff though, are the Pink Acousti-Therm HD R3.1HD batts okay or will I need the Pink Sonobatt Premium R3.0 batts? Man, I swear this'll be my last bloody insulation question!

Either should be good but the Premium will be best at 32kg/m. The HD says they have a nominal density 0f 24-32 kg/m. Does the density change as you get higher R values with those? or does it mean they don't know what density it is from bag to bag

maybe give fletcher a buzz and check.

all the best,

steve

[Birdsteeth]

The insulation finally arrived (after the most hassle I've ever had dealing with a purchase) and it's started going in. The Fletchers 32kg/m3 stuff is pretty nice to use, not too itchy and easy to cut with a Stanley knife. I suppose I have to cover the exposed brick pillars with batts as well? Close to framing up now, it's starting to get exciting again!

[stevev]

The insulation finally arrived (after the most hassle I've ever had dealing with a purchase) and it's started going in. The Fletchers 32kg/m3 stuff is pretty nice to use, not too itchy and easy to cut with a Stanley knife. I suppose I have to cover the exposed brick pillars with batts as well? Close to framing up now, it's starting to get exciting again!

good to hear mate (not about the hassle though). Yeah, it's easy to use isn't it

I didn't cover the pillars in my build as it would've meant losing floor space and making the cavity about 220-250mm wide to get enough space between the pillars and internal walls. I figured that the pillars being solid double brick would make up for the fact that they don't have any damping on them. Stuart may have some definitive answers with maths on that, but I think you'll be okay with out covering them.

Off topic, but there's a free dowload of a photo shop type program called photo pos pro. I used it a lot during my build thread to re-size and rotate pics whe needed for uploading.

good to see you getting some build time in mate. keep us posted.

all the best,

Steve

[Birdsteeth]

Yeah the photo thing's weird, they're up the right way on my iPhone and iPad.

[stevev]

I think the forum has a limit on pixel width and height for pics. It could be that it's roatating them on upload to fit the pixel limits. not sure about that though.


all the best,

steve

[Soundman2020]

Yeah the photo thing's weird, they're up the right way on my iPhone and iPad.

Maybe you are holding your iPad and iPhone sideways????? It would REALLY help if you could fix your photos: rotate them correctly, then edit your post with the updated versions...

I suppose I have to cover the exposed brick pillars with batts as well? Close to framing up now, it's starting to get exciting again!

It's not critical, but if you can spare the space (and the money) to do that, even if it is a thing layer, then yeah, it would be worth while. The main purpose of insulation in wall cavities is to damp the various resonances going on in there, including the standing waves that could form across the cavity, between the parallel surfaces. So even if you could fit in a bit of ordinary "pink fluffy" in front of the pillars, rather than entire batts, it would be good.


- Stuart -

[tezzb]

A bit late on the insulation front, but I got FI 32 through a WA firm in Canning Vale at a good price http://www.visualinteriors.com they may have other products you need later on.

I also got ACOUSTIC suspended ceiling tiles via VI. Even though I'm in VIC, they arranged for local pickup as well.

If anyone knows of local sources of low NC Air Vents and grilles I'd love to know.

BTW l-o-n-g time lurker, with a few studio builds managed, and about to DIY a home listening room in my retirement.

[Birdsteeth]

I think I've fixed the photos?

[Soundman2020]

I think I've fixed the photos?

- Stuart -