John Sayers' Recording Studio Design Forum Archive

Just a quick question for those more experienced studio builders out there.

We are currently designing a new floating CR and a floating drum ISO above an existing cement slab floor.

After reading various posts on this forum, most out there suggest the use of NEOPRENE pucks. It also appears that the method utilized by many is to place 2" x 2" pucks of 1/2" 60 Duro Neoprene below the 2"x6" floor joists every 14" to 16" or so (depending on the load's calculated capacity to compress the pucks by about 20%) so to as to retain the spring effect.

I have also read several posts which suggest buying EPDM instead, since it has a longer lifespan.

The question is.....
If we use EPDM pucks instead of Neoprene, is the spec we should look for still 1/2" Thick Duro 60?

Thanks.

RON

Yup - 60 duro is the same amount of compressibility whether it's sheep doo-doo or whatever - and the only "quasi-scientific" way I think will let you know how to space them is to figure the total weight of your floated construction, including the increased weight where walls will be supported, and do the "rube goldberg" tests I outlined in the Sticky on floated floors - even this is kinda shakey, but doable... Steve

Thanks to Steve yet again for the rapid-fire response!.

I will do the math tonite on the projected loads and use your suggested tests to determine the placement of the 2" x 2" pucks...

The folks over at Midwest Rubber have 1/2" Duro 60 EPDM in stock for under $9 @ square foot plus s/h, which seems like a fair enough deal to me (about 15% more than standard Neoprene of similiar spec)....

RON