Carpet Tack strip for slab?

JoeMilner · Post by **JoeMilner** » Thu Mar 23, 2006 4:15 am

Hi all,
I'm having trouble nailing carpet tack strips into the slab. It's tough going, and more often than not, the concrete crumbles around the nail when it finally goes in. Are there special tack strips for concrete (although the ones I have DO say they're for wood or concrete), or should I put down an underlayment of, say, 1/4" ply? And, if an underlayment is laid down, do I use construction adhesive? Would I need a vapor barrier?

Thanks in advance!

SonicClang · Post by **SonicClang** » Thu Mar 23, 2006 4:17 am

Um, why are you trying to put carpet in your studio??? Do not put carpet in!! If you have concrete right now and you can't afford hardwood, leave it as concrete until you can. You do NOT want carpet in your studio. Why? Because carpet absorbs high frequencies but is not thick enough to absorbe low frequencies so the response of your room will be very bassy and boomy.

JoeMilner · Post by **JoeMilner** » Thu Mar 23, 2006 5:19 am

Sorry, I should've been more clear: our facility is an ADR/ Re-recording stage, which are traditionally carpeted except for the area surrounding the console, which in our case is Brazilian Cherry.
The room acoustics are correct (Thanks Knightfly), and Dolby certified, it's just that the carpet (after 3 years of operation) has never been "properly" installed, only laid down. Such is the life of the self-built stage.....
Thanks for the quick reply, though

SonicClang · Post by **SonicClang** » Thu Mar 23, 2006 5:33 am

phew!

I'm glad to hear.

In that case, yeah, you can use construction adhesive on the tack strips and let them set for a couple days. Then the only thing that can bring them up after that is a hammer and flat bar. Should be good to go. Or you can go the route of concrete nails, which I've never liked because of their destructive nature. When you rip those out (if you ever don't want them there anymore) they pull up the concrete and leave an unsightly hole. ...sounds like you've already experienced a little bit of this already.

I've used construction adhesive and it works great. Just remember to let it set long enough or the carpet will pull it up.

And you shouldn't need a vapor barrier.

JoeMilner · Post by **JoeMilner** » Thu Mar 23, 2006 5:36 am

Excellent! Thanks for your help

SonicClang · Post by **SonicClang** » Thu Mar 23, 2006 5:38 am

No problem... you responded so fast by the time I got done editing my response yours was there.

knightfly · Post by **knightfly** » Thu Mar 23, 2006 8:09 am

Joe, looks like you're "covered" for your carpet strips -

I'm really glad your acoustics are working for you; but now it's time to "pay the piper" - we want PIX

We like to think of 'em as "studio geek porn"

Anything you have would be good, especially if you could post a shot or two of those panel absorbers and maybe a couple of general room shots - thanks... Steve

SonicClang · Post by **SonicClang** » Thu Mar 23, 2006 8:51 am

knightfly wrote:We like to think of 'em as "studio geek porn"

You're a huge dork... but I totally agree with you!

I love showing pictures of my studio and I love seeing pics of others'

JoeMilner · Post by **JoeMilner** » Thu Mar 23, 2006 10:41 am

Oh, man, do I gotta? Even if after 3 years of constant operation the door trim STILL isn't on? The finish carpentry for the glass STILL isn't done? The trim pieces between those fab birch panel absorbers STILL aren't done?
Besides, after seeing Andy's work in the WiseMind's studio thread I'm embarassed to even ATTEMPT the door trim......

Well, at least it SOUNDS good

One thing at a time

But, I'm trying to really get it finished once and for all, and I promise I'll post pix.

SonicClang · Post by **SonicClang** » Thu Mar 23, 2006 11:19 am

Dude I'm in the same boat as you. what most people consider the really important stuff, us studio people don't care too much about. We're much more worried about a functioning room than one that looks good. Detail work? "That can be done later!"

Post by **sharward** » Thu Mar 23, 2006 2:45 pm

Posting pictures is great because not only do we all get a clearer idea of what you're doing, but it also benefits you by making you all self conscious of your work so it motivates you to do a quality job!