John Sayers' Recording Studio Design Forum Archive

I know that the SAE site recommends 3/8 and 5/16 but from what I have found the prices on those sheets have been more then double what 1/4 is. I'm wondering if I could buy a 1/4 sheet for each side of the window ( it's double wall construction , 2 layers of 5/8 each side ) and still have enough isolation ? Or buy 2 sheets of 1/4 " now and add a second to one side later if there isn't enough isolation. Basically what can I get away with ? Is 3/8 and 5/16 the absolute minimum. The price on 1/4" 27 x 37 is $43.97 and 3/8" is $87.00. These prices are for tempered and i'm located in Pa.

3/8" Plate or laminate verses 1/4" plate or laminate.

My local supplier the cost differecne was about 50%

Same price differential here (about linear by thickness.

Why tempered instead of laminate?

Good luck!
Andre

IF you're going to use less than 1/3 your gypsum thickness as glass pane thickness, you may as well save some money on the gypsum also - anything less than roughly 1/3 of each leaf's gypsum total thickness will weaken the wall making the REST of the wall overkill and over cost.

I wouldn't use glass as thin as 1/4" in any serious space, unless you have an extra foot or two of room to separate the panes that far.

Double frames with double 5/8 each side works out about STC 63 depending on total air gap including insulation; two 1/4" panes 8" apart calculates to around STC 49, which even a single layer of 5/8 gypsum each side on double frames will beat (STC 55)

Point is, you can't build an STC 63 wall, put light weight glass in it, and expect anything but the WORST link in the chain to rule the result.

If you can stand not having direct views, a couple of cheap surveilance cameras would eliminate the need for glass at all, and for less money... Steve

Will this work ?
I would like to put 2 1/4 pieces sandwiched together on one side and 1 1/4 piece on the other. It works out to be cheaper but like knightfly said it's not worth it if it compromises the walls.

im not sure about this, but you might have to get those two peices laminated together. Will it work if you dont laminate them?

Non-laminated layers works well for sheet rock, not sure about glass - might get some buzzing??!?

Maybe Eric can offer some insight on this... Steve

Does anyone know if using multiple sheets on each side will cause a problem ? Or even be effective in isolation ?

You want 2 layers of glass. Each layer being float, tempered or laiminated. Anything else is worse for the same anount of glass and money.

Andre

Is there a way one could laminate or kinda glue 2 panes together on DIY-basis? I have plenty of 0.23" (6mm) and even more 4mm glass waiting to be used.
would be a big $saver

Neger tried it - I searched for laminating materials one day and came up expensive and unlikely - If the glass will be too expensive, have you considered solid walls and video? Steve